AHHHH im so nervous! Help!?

Question

Like I said. I just got my cockateil

He is doing just fine. I covered him up halfway gave him a nightlight. I walked in the room and he was sitting at this waterbowl. I guess he was drinking. Although I have not seen him eat today. Is he just not hungry from the pet store? I got him around 5:00 PM today?

HELP I CANT SLEEP AND IM NERVOUS!

:D

Answer 1

during the day do not cover him but at night cover him all the way in a cage with no night light because birds like the dark. he not eating because hes just as nervous as u are being in a new place. he'll be fine.

Answer 2

Birds don't eat when it's dark. if it's dark out or pretty dark in the room then he won't eat.

Answer 3

Relax.  He just experienced a HUGE move.  If you are offering him chopped greens, shredded carrots, etc, etc and a few seeds, he will eat them when he feels comfortable.  Your angst affects him too.  Do relax and say Good night to him.  Turn the night light off.  There is no nightlife in the jungle.

Answer 4

Birds that come from a Pet Store are usually more stressed out then a bird that is hand raised by a breeder. In Pet Stores there are so many people that pass by the birds or will tapped on their cages, sticking their fingers though the bars or even do things to scare or anger the bird. That is why I would never buy a bird from any Pet Store period. I have been raising and working with bird for over 30 years and there is a major difference with store birds vs home raised.

Here at our Aviary our birds are raised a treated as a family member and not a caged animal.

All birds do stress out when being moved to a new home, they will be confused since a new home is strange to them.

I tell my clients never to cover their Bird's cage at night, it is good to leave a night light on, but if something was to startle the bird at night and the bird can not see what scared it the bird could go into what is called night fright see the link I posted about it.

When a bird has night fright they can thrash around so hard that they can injure themselves and there have been cases where birds have died from their injuries. So if your bird can at least be able to see whatever woke it up it will stay calmed down.

I also post you a couple other links about Cockatiels, The American Cockatiel Society covers the complete field of Cockatiels and the link I posted is concerning a new Cockatiel owner concerned about why their bird is not eating, I think this information will help you understand your new bird better.

Sapphyre

Certified Avian Specialist

Answer 5

Give him a couple of days to settle in. you need to calm down because animals can sense your nervousness. If he doesn't settle in check with the pet store or call a vet. Supply him with fresh food and water and lots of attention. Birds can go insane without stimulation. Good Luck!