Why is my cockatiel whining/crying?

Question

Our 3-year-old male cockatiel recently started an unusual behavior. He approaches a toilet paper tube in his cage and begins to whine/cry. He'll then try to push his head under it, he'll attack it at the edges, and/or he'll stick his head inside it—all while whining. All the information I've found about crying has to do with babies, but he is now 3. I assume it's either a mating thing or a dominance thing, but we really have no idea. Can anyone explain it? I posted a video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4---BZ6Fvs

Answer 1

Whining doesn't necessarily mean anything I have a 23 yr old african grey that i have grown up with and it wines when it feels like a baby like if i am cuddling with it. No problems just let your bird be goofy and keep giving it good care and attention.

Answer 2

Cute bird looks like mine =P I am assuming he's just lonely...Its what our cockatiels do too.

Answer 3

mine does this to his mirror all the time I think he is just talking to it.