Cockatiel grinding beak??

Question

i got a cockatiel yesterday and today it had been grinding his beak, not sure what it means, he is going the vet monday anyway but i would like to have an idea, i got him off the rspca maybe that has something to do with it (asin still nervous)???

Answer 1

You sounded just like me! :D

I got my lovebird about a week ago, and one day while I was eating dinner, I heard this weird grating sound, I looked over, and my lovie kept scraping his lower mandible against his upper. At first, I thought he was choking on his pellet and I couldn't help but feel worried.

When I looked this up, the info that I got was that even though nobody knows quite why parrots do this, scientists think it's because they are trying to file their beak down, and/or it shows a sign of contentment and self security, and possibly that they are about to go to sleep because they are so secure and happy.

I agree with this, because every time my lovie makes this sound, a few minutes later, he's got his beak tucked in nicely on his back, and fast asleep!

So don't worry, this is completely normal, and by the fact that he's grinding his beak, it looks like you are doing a fine job taking care of him and making him feel welcome.

I hope that helped!

Answer 2

naw.

i got a cockatiel myself. and they'll do it all the time.

nothing at all to worry about =)

but if it still bothers you and all, ask the vet.

hope this helped;

much love,

-jessssi :D

Answer 3

This is just natural, its trying to stop its beak from over-growing. Its just like like us filing down our nails from stopping them getting too long. My two budgies do this all the time, and it doesn't do them any harm. I hope this helps.

Answer 4

It's nothing to be worried about; some cockatiels just do that. Nobody's positive on why they do it--although some think it might be a comforting habit like how cats knead things or babies suck their thumbs. But it isn't a sign of stress or anything and it doesn't do the bird any harm to grind its beak, so there's no need to worry. One of my 'tiels did this almost every evening, when he was settling down to sleep.

Answer 5

Very normal.  That is why they put that bone in the cage....to grind down the always growing beak.

Answer 6

Beak grinding is the sign of a healthy happy and content bird.  Be happy he's doing it!  You'll hear it especially when he's napping or right after bedtime, like a cat purring right after it gets comfortable.

Not sure how beak grinding prevents the beak from overgrowing though since it's not really working that much.

Answer 7

he's just working off the extra growth and cleaning the ridges on the inside of his upper bill. mine do it right before bed time usually. no worries