Why is my cockatiel so restless and constantly shuffling on his perch?

I think I would be worried and you should take him to a vet that specializes in birds to examine him. He may have an underlying illness or it may be related to stress. Either way, this is not normal behavior an you should really have him checked out. It it is nothing medical, then at least you have that peace of mind and the vet can give you some good resources on cockatiel care and feeding so that you are sure to have everything correct. This article addresses cockatiel behavior: http://www.cockatielcottage.net/questions4.html Hope this helps. Best wishes.

It's possible, but hard to tell without knowing Pancake's breeding history. It could be that Pancake is still just settling into his new place which is why he is quieter, however if he continues to have trouble balancing, seems to act ill, or doesn't seem to settle in as normal, a trip to the vet is a good idea to rule out any health issues that may need treating.

Thanks for reaching out about Orpheus. It sounds as if he is sick and needs the attention of a veterinarian. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some support. Young baby birds might not be fully weaned and need to be feed assisted. Stress (moving to a new home, new people) can often revert baby birds to wanting to be fed. Contact the breeder if needed, for assistance. Good luck.

What you can do really depends on what the cause is, so trying to find the cause is best. If you suspect illness, seeking out a vet appointment is a good first step to rule out any health issues or pain that can cause behavioral changes. Sometimes, aggression can be caused by boredom, stress or even an urge to mate. Adding in enriching toys or allowing Coco to explore his environment may help with boredom and keep him happier and occupied. Moving his cage to someplace quieter or without harassment by other pets and people can help reduce stress in addition to adding some fun toys or treats to play with. If he is trying to mate, sometimes changing the daylight hours and decrease protein amount in the diet can help, as well as distraction with interactive toys/ignoring/avoiding the behavior. If he does seem stressed and lash out, giving him a chance to calm down and relax before interacting again may also help.

Behavioral changes and sitting fluffed up/lethargic on the bottom of the cage can both indicate there is something going on that is making George feel unwell. As these are very vague signs of illness, it would be best to try and bring him to a vet ASAP for care. Illness, injury, disease, parasites, malnutrition, etc can all cause these symptoms, so having an exam to rule out more serious problems and get George started on treatment is best. If he is untame/wild and can't be handled, you can try tossing a towel or bird net over him gently to be able to catch him and place him in a travel carrier to get to the vet. Keeping the carrier covered with a towel or sheet can also help reduce stress and keep him calm on the journey.

A more fluffed up appearance is usually symptomatic of high temperature which can cause lethargy as well. High temperature is usually caused by an infection which is very often of respiratory origin. A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

If there is no visible injury but Kody still seems agitated, giving him a chance to rest and relax by keeping his cage quiet and dark may help him to settle back in. I would keep an eye on him, and if he stays agitated or doesn't return to normal after 24 hours, have a vet take a look to make sure there isn't an injury or issue causing his distress.