Do you notice your cockatiel tail bobbing most of the time?
Perhaps, you have seen this happen a few times and worried that something may have gone wrong.
This is why it helps to understand why this occurs and if there is anything to be concerned about. Keep reading to find out more about why your cockatiel’s tail is bobbing and if you should be worried about it or not.
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Cockatiel Tail Bobbing – Typical Reasons Why This Happens
When you notice your cockatiel tail bobbing, it is basically something to do with the mood or current health situation. For instance, when the tail wags or bobs, it means that your pet is relaxed and happy. This is why there is nothing to be concerned about at all.
In other situations, your pet may be bobbing its tail to shake off some excess water or debris on the tail. But this gesture may also be a cockatiel’s way of greeting others, as though it is waving at you.
However, it is important to determine exactly what this tail bobbing really means. After all, there are many reasons why this happens, and so it is essential to have a more thorough understanding of this body movement. This includes knowing how often your pet does this and if the bobbing is done slowly or swiftly.
Let’s take a look at the reasons behind the cockatiel tail bobbing:
1. Greeting
When you see your cockatiel bobbing its tail while at the same time puffing out its feathers, this means your pet is happy. Cockatiels do this when they greet people or other birds. It is the same with humans, as when they say hello or smile at others.
Hence, there is nothing to be worried about when you see your cockatiel doing this. Your pet is merely happy, at peace, and content. It may also mean that something good just happened, which is why your pet is reacting positively and showing enthusiasm and excitement.
2. Expressing Interest
A very swift and brisk bobbing of the tail is your pet’s way of expressing a keen interest in you or in one thing. It may be that there is a fascinating toy that catches its eye, or a person that delights your pet has just entered the room. Thus, you may catch your cockatiel’s tail bobbing to show its interest.
Just as dogs wag their tails whenever they want to show their keenness to new interactions, so do cockatiels express their desire to socialize in this manner. When you notice your bird’s tail bobs after you have returned it inside the cage, it is a way of expressing a positive reaction towards a new interaction.
On the other hand, if the bird does not bob its tail after placing it back to its perch, it means the opposite. Your pet is not happy or pleased with the previous interaction, which is why you need to handle your cockatiel better in the future.
4. A way of seeking attention
You may have noticed your cockatiel bobbing its tail while inside the cage. In this case, your pet merely wants to attract your attention. Perhaps you have been out for too long and have not given much time to your pet. Or your pet may be missing you and wishing to spend time with you. Hence, you may find it bobbing its tail quickly each time you come into the room.
5. Sign of weakness
When a cockatiel slowly and intermittently bobs its tail, it may be a sign that your pet is not feeling too good. Your bird may be dealing with some discomfort and would like to let you know about it. But other times, the bobbing may be rapid, which also means a sign that something is not right.
Observe this gesture closely and notice if the tail bobbing is accompanied by a few other signs of discomfort such as squeals or screams. If you notice these happen, then you may want to take your pet to the vet for further evaluation.
Observing and Understanding Behavior Patterns
Birds can be a bit tricky to understand since they do not talk when something is not right with them. This is why all you need to do is to pay attention to their gestures that give you insight of what they are going through.
A cockatiel tail bobbing is a common gesture that these birds perform. But since there are different meanings behind this action, it is not always very easy to assess why this happens.
Overall, cockatiels bob their tails when they are happy and content. They are showing their social nature and expressing their interest to spend time with the people they are fond of.
But there are also instances when a cockatiel tail bobbing could mean something else. Perhaps they are unhappy, stressed, or going through some kind of discomfort. Usually, these are followed by other symptoms, which is why it is best to study what other gestures they do in addition to tail bobbing, so you can carry out the next step to ease these concerns.
Bottom Line
Cockatiels are adorable, social creatures that are fairly easy to care for. When provided with everything they need, you can count on your pet to maintain a good disposition and be trouble-free.
It is also important to understand why they act or behave a certain way, as these actions give you a closer look at what’s going on inside of them. With cockatiel tail bobbing, there are many reasons behind this scenario that require a keener understanding of why this happens. The common reasons we enumerated are just some of the few. It is still best to study other signs involved and visit your vet, especially if certain symptoms are present that may lead you to assume your pet is not feeling well.