Why Does My Cockatiel Keep Gnawing on His Cage?

Cockatiel owners often notice their birds gnawing on their cages, toys and branches. Pet cockatiels and cockatiels in the wild exhibit this behavior. It's nothing to worry about--your beloved bird is simply going on instinct--but knowing why your pet does this may help you keep your cockatiel safe while it's gnawing.

  1. Maintaing Its Beak

    • Cockatiels' beaks are built to crack open seeds. Beaks grow quickly, like fingernails. There are times when the beak grows faster than the bird can maintain through regular seed-eating. If the cockatiel can't wear the beak down to a manageable shape by eating, it will gnaw on cage bars, branches or cuttlefish bones to wear it down. If a cockatiel's beak becomes overgrown, the bird will not be able to crack seeds open for the nutrients inside. Therefore, gnawing for beak maintenance is an important bird behavior.

    Supplementing Its Diet

    • Cuttlefish bones--those hard, white structures hanging in most birdcages--are not just for beak maintenance. They also provide an important source of calcium and phosphorous. Cockatiels may gnaw on their branches to ingest the minerals the wood contains. A bird's instinct will lead it to effective dietary supplements, and the bird will gnaw on nonfood sources to get nutrition essential to its development.

    Marking Its Territory

    • In the wild, animals mark their territory by defecating, scratching or spraying. Cockatiels will nibble or gnaw on things when they reach sexual maturity. It's the same with pet cockatiels. According to the experts at Pet QnA, "Their natural behavior suggests that, when it comes to breeding time, they tear and nibble things in the same way they would in the wild when nesting." If your pet cockatiel has become destructive by tearing plants and paper or gnawing excessively, it may be that your pet has reached sexual maturity.

    Alleviating Boredom

    • Caged birds sometimes gnaw out of boredom. Because birds are intelligent creatures, boredom can be a problem for the ones living in captivity. They need appropriate toys to keep them relaxed and happy. Pet stores offer a wide variety of toys for caged birds to enjoy, but pet cockatiels also enjoy household items such as corncobs, rubber dog toys, cardboard paper towel tubes and leafy branches from outside. Keeping your cockatiel entertained may prevent it from destroying property while it gnaws.

    Providing Safe Gnawing Materials

    • Cockatiels gnaw for many reasons. As the owner of a pet cockatiel, you should provide a safe environment for it to do so. The cage should have non-chipping paint. If the bird consumes paint while it's gnawing, it can die from poisoning. And you shouldn't wrap the cage bars in sandpaper. Sandpaper does not provide adequate friction to aid in beak maintenance, and it could present a health hazard to your bird. You should also avoid anything with sharp edges that may cut your cockatiel. If you bring in wood branches from outside for your bird to enjoy, wash the branch before putting it in the cage, and make sure the wood you choose is safe for your cockatiel. The Cockatiel Foundation says that eucalyptus, apple, willow, maple and beech woods are all good choices. Avoid cherry, as it is toxic.