Do Cockatiels Normally Sleep with Their Feathers Fluffed?

Cockatiels act from generations of instinctive behavior. When they are happy, you see one behavior; if they get scared, you̵7;ll see a different behavior. When you see your little bird fluffing her feathers during the day, it should be for only a short period, for relaxation or after she preens her feathers. Fluffed sleeping at night, however, probably just means she's cold.

  1. Under Normal Conditions

    • Your cockatiel fluffs her feathers to settle them in the right position once she̵7;s finished preening herself. This is also a behavior she exhibits to get rid of any tension she̵7;s accumulated or after she̵7;s gotten a momentary scare, according to the Cockatiel Cottage website.

      She may also be cold. She̵7;ll fluff her feathers to hold in her body heat and warm up again. If she's awake, this should only happen for a short time: when she̵7;s warmed up again, she̵7;ll let her feathers lie against her body.

    Why She Fluffs Her Feathers

    • The room where your cockatiel̵7;s cage is located might be cold for a short while. As she feels the cold, she̵7;ll fluff her feathers up to help trap her body heat as she tries to warm up. Ideally, her fluffy appearance should only last for a short time as she regulates her body temperature to a comfortable level, according to the Busy Bird website.

      She also fluffs her feathers before she goes to sleep at night. This is a normal habit for all cockatiels so they can stay comfortable during the night. Her fluffed feathers help trap the warm air right next to her body and repel cooler air so she won̵7;t get cold.

    Sign of Illness

    • Should you see your little bird̵7;s feathers staying puffy and fluffed out for long periods during the day, this is a sign of illness. Don̵7;t delay. Call your veterinarian and get her seen as soon as possible so the vet can make the correct diagnosis and help you get your cockatiel back to good health again. Additional signs of illness include sitting at the bottom of her cage and either looking sleepy or sleeping more than she normally does.

    Heating Safety Precaution

    • You warm yourself with a small space heater and it feels good. Just because it feels good for you doesn̵7;t mean using a space heater to warm your cockatiel̵7;s room will be beneficial. Her respiratory system is delicate. The fumes released by a space heater may be harmful, either making your bird sick or killing her, according to the Busy Bird website. Instead, try warming your bird by temporarily moving her cage closer to a window that gets indirect light.