Bird owners: Why does my Tiel squawk like the dickens....

[Darth_Kitten]

whenever she's grooming her feathers? :shrug:

Murphee was acting a little possessed just a few minutes ago, squawking and seeming to favour one wing, but now she's fine?? :shrug:

[Gyre]

1. They're weird animals.

I had one that was so attached to me that it would scream, scream, scream whenever I left. It's the flying reptile energy if you ask me.

Gyre

[blondeatlast]

2. Mine does that when water runs or someone comes in/goes out.

Maybe injured?

I love 'tiels!

:shrug:

[theorist]

3. Both of my cockatiels squawk when they preen.

Usually when they're really getting into it. I just assume that it feels really good. Don't you vocalize occasionally when you feel something pleasurable? :)

[Magrittes Pipe]

4. She probably had a feather out of whack.

Or an uncomfortable pinfeather. If she's acting normally now, it's no reason for concern.

[blondeatlast]

5. Practicing for "Talk Like a Pirate Day!"

Scruffy (the kid named her, okay?) just told me!

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. If it is a painful squak check for blood

they sometimes do damage to themselves, my 17 year old tiel had to have four primaries removed when a yuong chick

If it was more like "pleasure" they do that at times

And if you really want some fun, figure this flock, sun conure (she is an only bird really) and her two brothers staying here temporarily, my 17 year old Tiel, Tuky and his brother cookie

They are acting like human three year olds and the jealousy is something to behold... and yes it can be painful

[amazona]

8. sun conures...now there's a squawkbox!

I remember when Bird Talk magazine recommended Sun Conures as a good pet for...wait for it...deaf people. They are sweet, they are gorgeous, they are smart...but durn they are a lot of noise in a small package.

[amazona]

7. would have to hear the squawk in question

I wouldn't describe any cockatiel squawk as particularly "like dickens" but females can be a bit vocal at times and, yes, it can be for the pure pleasure of life and making a noise. If she's enjoying her preening, I'd assume that's all it is.

If she is listening to music, listen and see if a particular song or artist gets her to "sing" along. You may be surprised. Their taste may not be the best but they do have consistent favorites.

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

9. My Eclectus Female, Miggy...

Squawks LOUDLY when I leave the room. Then she walks and follows me(Cage is usually open). When she is cuddling, she coos happily and a lot. The best, though, is when she does her imitation of Tom and Ray from "Car Talk". Complete with the laughter. She makes me piss myself laughing. :D

Overall, though, she is very quiet, but very demanding about wanting to be cuddled. She must have her due.

[radfringe]

11. a friend of mine has an african grey

she's nick-named "memorex"

She does a dead-on imitation of the timer bell for the microwave and stove -- when you go running into the kitchen to check on it -- the bird laughs

she also does car alarms - which has had people running to the window to see what is going on

her best is the phone and answering machine -- does it all - phone ring, machine click on, the message, the 'beep', and click off

recently she has taken to squawking "smirk-boy" or "f*ck that a$$hole" whenever bush* is on the tube or radio

[Trish]

10. Just watch

Just watch her behavior for the next few days....
That's what I do when my birdies do something that concerns me
And behavior is the best way to monitor health,
for birdies as well as all beings, methinks