psychotic cockatiel

[sylas]

In quick before there are any guidelines to constrain me! :grin:

My friends had a little cockatiel -- like a small cockatoo. This was the bird that persuaded me even small animals have a mind, and capacity for pain and feelings -- even if probably not the kind of detailed analysis and self awareness of which we are capable.

This little bird was very disturbed; genuinely mentally ill. It would freak out if anyone went near it; it was heart rending to see. In the end the family sent the little bird back to the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; an excellent group that does wonderful work in caring for animals. The bird was taken into care with a lady who was able to put it in a larger aviary with a number of other cockatiels. And the little fellow recovered completely.

Of all the birds, the parrots especially are very social animals. They need company -- and for many human company works well. This family has since had another bird which is settled in well to be part of the family. The cockatiel may have had bad experiences in youth that prevented this possiblity.

I found it all very thought provoking -- Sylas

[Teallaura]

Cockatiels are all moderately psychotic - but they usually get over it with a little TLC...

At least my uncles cockatiel Herbie was... :shrug:

She also turned out to be a girl...:ahem:

And kept laying eggs...:noid:


Too bad she wasn't a chicken! :yummy:

[technomage]

We had a 'Tiel who was an absolute delight. He treated us as his flock, and he would chatter at us (not understandable words, just "grumbling"), and even play "peek-a-boo" with me. Unfortunately we had to give him up when I was no longer able to give him the care and attention he needed.

[Meh_Gerbil]

We adopted a cockatiel (we have two) that was in an abusive environment.
The little guy pulls out his own feathers - his neck is always bare.

Anways, I dance with this cockatiel.
I whistle a little tune and bob to the left and right and he joins in with the dancing by running back and forth on his perch and bobbing his head.

I've also had psychotic gerbils - and gerbils with different personalities.
But then I've watched them for hours on end so I guess I would see that.