Why Does My Cockatiel Pace Across the Bottom of Her Cage?

Cockatiels are delightful birds full of curiosity about their owners and their surroundings. This provides the possibility of close companionship and an interactive pet. It can also promote behavior patterns that are disturbing to owners and endanger the health and well-being of the cockatiel. Pacing the floor of the cage indicates an emotional or psychological condition rather than a physical health problem.

  1. Causes of Pacing

    • The foremost cause of a cockatiel pacing the floor of its cage is fear. Something is disturbing its sense of well-being. Another cause may be loneliness.

    Significance of Pacing

    • Birds cannot communicate on human levels and must show their owners, by their actions, when they are not comfortable. Pacing is a way of getting attention and letting the human see that changes need to be made.

    Finding the Source of Fear

    • If the cockatiel's cage is positioned in a high traffic area this is most likely the cause of pacing. Especially if the cage is below human height. In the wild, birds perch above their enemies and while the cockatiel may, or may not, perceive the back and forth action of several people as threatening, they are aware that it is not natural for them to be perched so far down.

    Discontentment Issues

    • If the cockatiel was a former breeding bird it may be looking for its lost mate. If it was reared in a large group with other cockatiels, it may be searching for its friends. Some cockatiels are fine being alone and others desire company.

    Treatments for Causes of Pacing

    • The cockatiel cage should be elevated so the bird can perch well above the heads of people in the household. It should be moved from the high traffic location and placed in a quieter area. That can be within the room but in a corner away from the busyness. Placing the cockatiel cage against a wall will be effective. The bird only has to watch for perceived enemies in the front. Their back is protected.

      If loneliness is the cause, consider buying another bird. Don't, however, try to house two adult males together. Even adult females may fight. Buying another bird and another cage may be the answer. Put them where they can see each other but are not vying for space.