[Elmir333]

Hello everyone, my 15 year old cockatiel called Nini had a night fright about 4 days ago. This wasn't unusual to me since this did happen a few times in the past, I would approach him when he was startled and I would talk to him and he would calm down and fall asleep in a few minutes. The night fright 4 days ago was strange because the day after the night fright he would exhibit unusual behavior. He usually doesn't like to be touched, he is fine with eating from my hand but not touched, so I never really forced him to be allowed to be touched however the day after the fright he allowed me to touch him, which was alarming to me. He seemed very low energy and sleepy, so I sat beside him for an hour before he fell asleep and when he woke up he was back to his usual self.

Now, this morning he had another fright, but this one was very scary for me. He was on the bottom of the cage, practically sitting down and spreading his wings wide. He would bob his head and tail in a strange way and even at some point put his head down to the bottom of the cage. He never did this. Why are the night frights frequent all of a sudden? What caused this strange behavior? Was he defensive? Should I visit a vet? I'll post a picture of him right now in the comments, he looks healthy and okay to me. Thank you in advance.

 

[VIVAAN]

To answer this question, cockatiels sleep better with a dim light so that they do not experience night frights. Therefore, cockatiels can, or should, have a night light so that they can have a good night's rest. If he continues for a few days then, a visit to the avian veterinarian will be required. And please post some pictures for further understanding.

 

[Elmir333]

Thank you for the quick reply! I bought a night light earlier today, the bird is doing well, he seems to be taking a few more naps than usual but I've seen him do that before. He exited the cage for a bit today for a little walk around the room, he is rather quiet today as well, a few chirps here and there but no singing. I took one picture while he was napping and the other after he had just woken up.

 

[Elmir333]

UPDATE: It seems as though my little friend is sick, he is losing balance a lot when walking on his perch and is keeping one eye open rather than both. No vets are open until monday, I have to make sure to help him through the rest of today, and tomorrow. Any tips on how do I help him until monday?

 

[VIVAAN]

Thank you for the quick reply! I bought a night light earlier today, the bird is doing well, he seems to be taking a few more naps than usual but I've seen him do that before. He exited the cage for a bit today for a little walk around the room, he is rather quiet today as well, a few chirps here and there but no singing. I took one picture while he was napping and the other after he had just woken up.
View attachment 94425 View attachment 94426

You're welcome! He is very cute!

 

[VIVAAN]

UPDATE: It seems as though my little friend is sick, he is losing balance a lot when walking on his perch and is keeping one eye open rather than both. No vets are open until monday, I have to make sure to help him through the rest of today, and tomorrow. Any tips on how do I help him until monday?

UPDATE: It seems as though my little friend is sick, he is losing balance a lot when walking on his perch and is keeping one eye open rather than both. No vets are open until monday, I have to make sure to help him through the rest of today, and tomorrow. Any tips on how do I help him until monday?

Give him some more rest. Observe for a day or so, he should be fine. Feed him as healthy food as you can. If your cockatiel is still showing signs of falling, not being able to perch, or overall weakness, you should seek avian veterinarian attention as soon as possible, Infections, undesirable high toxic levels in your cockatiels body like lead, tumors, and lack of certain vitamins can make your bird lose its balance. I'm sorry but this is all I can help.🙁

 

[Jo Hess]

This is terrifying to any bird owner. I've had them freak out over nothing in cage which can cause major damage to wings and eyes. There is a possibility that they hit the side of cage with eye. Keep an "eye" on that as it may cause blindness. I've had a few who've lost all primary wing feathers on one wing through fright in cage. They have a down time because they can't fly right until new feather grow back. Happens fast. Sometimes happens when I'm in room, sometimes in bed. I always hear it and comfort them down as fast as I can.
They will have night frights regardless of situation, sometimes over nothing. They dream, just like us 💛

 

[Jo Hess]

This is terrifying to any bird owner. I've had them freak out over nothing in cage which can cause major damage to wings and eyes. There is a possibility that they hit the side of cage with eye. Keep an "eye" on that as it may cause blindness. I've had a few who've lost all primary wing feathers on one wing through fright in cage. They have a down time because they can't fly right until new feather grow back. Happens fast. Sometimes happens when I'm in room, sometimes in bed. I always hear it and comfort them down as fast as I can.
They will have night frights regardless of situation, sometimes over nothing. They dream, just like us 💛

Night fright when in large room rather that cage can be so much worse as they can't see in the dark, just like us.

 

[Angel Patches Mom]

I had a cockatiel that slept in a cage with it covered. Once he had a night fright at 4 am waking me out of a sound sleep. Went to covering him only 3 sides of cage. Always had night light. One morning - 7:30 am and it was light out at that point so no idea the why he had night fright. I heard him from the other room. By the time I got there there was blood all over his cage and the wall, etc. I got him to the vet quite early thankfully. He had cut his elbow. At the time I did not know he was very sick. Needless to say it took 4 weeks for it to heal because he had undiagnosed liver disease. He was not allowed out of a large carrier (cat/dog with door on front) so that he wouldn't hit his wing. I brought him back and forth to work and would let him out for very short periods of time. Carrier had perch, couple of toys, At the end of the 4 weeks he was so comfortable in the carrier that he slept in the carrier the rest of his life. Still night light. Still perch, food, and water. Would walk right in at bedtime. Was right across from my bed and was never really loud. Could see when I went to sleep. He never had a night fright again. Fast forward to my new baby. I wasn't sure what to do as Patches night fright was very traumatizing for me as well. Gabriel has a much larger carrier similar style that he can walk around in, turn, and spread out his wings. Rope perch, food, and water. He is 100% a ok and walks right in and goes right to sleep. He is covered on 4 sides and there is night light as well. He has had a "fright" a couple of times though no injuries as no falls or anything rough to his up against. I don't promote the carrier option. I just share it as an alternative. By the way definitely get to a vet regarding health concerns. My baby lived for 12 years after being diagnosed with chronic illnesses.

 

[Zionzion]

Hello everyone, my 15 year old cockatiel called Nini had a night fright about 4 days ago. This wasn't unusual to me since this did happen a few times in the past, I would approach him when he was startled and I would talk to him and he would calm down and fall asleep in a few minutes. The night fright 4 days ago was strange because the day after the night fright he would exhibit unusual behavior. He usually doesn't like to be touched, he is fine with eating from my hand but not touched, so I never really forced him to be allowed to be touched however the day after the fright he allowed me to touch him, which was alarming to me. He seemed very low energy and sleepy, so I sat beside him for an hour before he fell asleep and when he woke up he was back to his usual self.

Now, this morning he had another fright, but this one was very scary for me. He was on the bottom of the cage, practically sitting down and spreading his wings wide. He would bob his head and tail in a strange way and even at some point put his head down to the bottom of the cage. He never did this. Why are the night frights frequent all of a sudden? What caused this strange behavior? Was he defensive? Should I visit a vet? I'll post a picture of him right now in the comments, he looks healthy and okay to me. Thank you in advance.

Hi do you cover his cage at night? I was wondering if he may be having fits, I would take him to the vet to get him checked out, birds are prone to fits especially if he's banged his head in the past, also his vision might not be as it should and he doesn't focus properly that's why he feels startled I would get him checked hope he's ok soon😍