Cockateil- Shaking????

Question

My cockateil sometimes seems to visibly shake, like a person does when they're cold. Is this normal? He doesn't show any symptoms of sickness, he has a good appetite and everything. But he shakes, only slightly. His cage isn't drafty, although it's by the door, so when people walk inside, wind comes towards him. But he shakes in rooms that there is definitely no drafts. Is this normal, or should we be concerned?

Answer 1

Sometimes birds will do this when they're anxious or nervous.  Being so near to the door might make him nervous, because he doesn't know when the door will open.

Try to hold him.  Close your hand around him, and feel his back for any abnormal bumps or something of the like.  He might have a bruise or something that is paining him to move or breathe.  If this is the case, he'll be fine--it should heal on its own.

He also might just be on a poor nutitional diet.  Are you feeding him only seed, or are you supplementing it with human foods, such as lettuce, cereal, cheese, strawberries, etc.?  Bird seed only has so many vitamins and minerals--fresh fruit and veggies hold most of the nutrients that a bird needs to survive.

Best of luck,

Phoenix