Puffing up is a behavior that cockatiels portray in their daily lives. However, you may wonder why cockatiels puff up their feathers just out of the blue. This is the right page for you, as it answers the question, What does it mean when a cockatiel puffs up?

The following are some of the reasons why your cockatil puffs up:

1. Defensive

Once a cockatiel senses danger, either from predators or aggression from other birds, it puffs up its feathers just as an indication to show that it is bigger than the challenge ahead of it.

Puffing up is sometimes used to scare the predators, as sometimes a cockatiel becomes too aggressive to be able to fight. Also, an annoyed cockatiel will puff up as a defense mechanism against things or people that annoy it.

2. Maintain Warmth

Puffing up in cockatiels is mainly witnessed during cold weather. Cockatiels puff up to trap air that acts as an insulator and prevents cold from penetrating the body and warmth from leaving the body.

These birds puff up to sleep comfortably while enjoying the warmth. Cockatiels sometimes tuck their heads in their necks while sleeping to keep warm.

3. Illness

When a cockatiel puffs up its feathers more often than usual, it may indicate illness. It is a pain that the bird feels that makes it uncomfortable, and hence it puffs up to try to calm itself.

Moreover, puffing up can be accompanied by irregular sleeping patterns, reduced bird activities, loss of appetite, and drooping of the head, wings, and tails. This is a symptom that, once ignored, can be fatal to your cockatiel. Have an avian vet check on your bird to begin medication immediately.

4. Grooming

Cockatiels are birds that really love grooming to look appealing. They preen after bathing or sometimes puff up to remove dirt from their feathers and neatly arrange them in different positions.

If they have a mirror before them, they will admire themselves as they keep grooming. These make cockatiels unique and extremely beautiful birds that love smartening like humans.

5. Relaxation

Cockatiels love relaxing after a busy day of playing and other activities like exercising. Usually, when sunbathing, cockatiels puff up their feathers and sometimes lay on the ground to enjoy the sun as they relax. Puffing also exposes their skin to fresh air and direct sunlight, as their feathers are not intact.

6. Courting and Mating

Puffing is one of the methods cockatiels use during courtship and mating to attract their partners. Puffing up is mainly used by male cockatiels to show superiority and is primarily accompanied by singing, loud chirps, bobbing their heads, etc.

Additionally, when mating, male cockatiels puff up before mounting on the back of the female cockatiel during their breeding phase in spring.

7. Relieve Tension

A cockatiel puffs up to relieve tension after being scared by loud noises such as bangs, predators, a new environment, frightening personalities from people in your household, etc.

Therefore, a cockatiel will puff up and shake its body to let the tension leave and become itself again. This behavior is associated with taking deep breaths in humans to relieve tension.

8. Sign of Contentment

A contented cockatiel usually puffs up to show gratitude and happiness. Based on recent research, most owners have witnessed their cockatiels puffing up after playing with them, offering their favorite treat, purchasing their favorite toys, offering a cold bird bath during a warm season, etc.

A happy cockatiel puffs more often while melodiously chirping; hence, ensure you spend quality time with your bird to make it comfortable and ensure its well-being is intact.

9. Sleeping

A cockatiel puffs up and then lies in the corner of a cage and wants to rest while sleeping. Cockatiels mainly sleep at night but nap during the day for at least 30 minutes.

Puffing up helps with temperature regulations that enable a bird to sleep soundlessly.

10. Your Cockatiel Is Bonded to You

A cockatiel that is bonded to its owner will always puff up its feathers as a way of showing excitement at seeing you. If a cockatiel misses you, it usually puffs up and can fly in your direction. This indicates that your parakeet likes you and is bonded to you. Ensure to spend more quality time with your bird to strengthen the bond.

Why Is My Cockatiel Puffed Up and Shaking?

Your cockatiel is puffed up and shaking to regulate its body temperature. When the temperature drops below average room temperature, cockatiels puff up to trap air that insulates the body against cold. During hot seasons, cockatiels puff up and shake to lose excess heat, cooling their bodies.

Also, puffing up and shaking have been noticed in ailing cockatiels. Usually, sick cockatiels lose their appetite, have reduced bird activities, and their bodies shake due to fever, which makes their body temperatures drop. If your cockatiel is puffed up and shivering, treat it immediately before the disease becomes severe.

What Does It Mean When a Cockatiels Crest Is Up?

The following are some of the reasons why your cockatiel crest is up:

1. Alarmed

A cockatiel that is startled will have its crest straightened upward. This can be brought about by fear due to loud bangs, arguments in a family, calls from distressed cockatiels, etc. Therefore, an alarmed cockatiel will crest up as an indication of anxiety.

2. Curiosity

A curious cockatiel will always have its crest up. This is when it wants to know about a person, an object, or an event that got the cockatiel’s attention. This indicates that cockatiels are intelligent birds and are willing and ready to learn about something new.

3. Contentment

A contented cockatiel will always have its crest straight up to show gratitude to the owner or caretaker.

Usually, this happens after spending quality time with your bird or, instead, having fed it its favorite treat. The calm attitude of the bird identifies this, and it is an indication that the bird is happy.

What Does It Mean When a Cockatiel Puffed Up and Grinding Beak?

A cockatiel with puffed cheeks and a grinding beak shows it is happy and having fun. This is a way of playing with their flock, caretakers, or owners. It shows excitement; hence, a cockatiel is in a happy mood.

Nonetheless, too much grinding of the beak may cause injuries that pave the way for bacteria leading to infection.

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