If your cockatiel has been ignoring its usual activities to stare at the wall, it can be a matter of concern. It is uncommon for cockatiels to stare at the fall for an extended period. In most cases, your bird’s body language will show that they are relaxing or what has caught its attention.
Unusual long stares at the wall indicate that your cockatiel is sick. On the other hand, if your bird shows no sign of illness, it is possible that your cockatiel is sleeping, depressed, or simply choosing it to be its favorite position to relax.
This article will discuss common reasons your cockatiel might face the wall.
We will further discuss some precautionary measures that you can take to keep your bird from developing any kind of disorder.
In addition, we will also learn about a few reasons why a healthy cockatiel may engage in such behavior.
Your Cockatiel Is Sick
Being prey animals, cockatiels try their best to hide their vulnerability. By facing the wall, your bird may try to avoid contact by shutting out its surroundings.
The more time you spend with your bird, the quicker you notice if something is wrong with it.
Besides your cockatiel facing the wall, the following signs listed below will guide you if something is wrong with your bird:
- Loss of appetite
- Abnormal droppings
- Unusual aggressive behavior
- Lethargy
- Weird noises
- Loss of feathers
- Weight loss
- Odd movements
Staring At A Potential Threat
As cockatiels are prey animals, they are very cautious about their surroundings.
In the wild, cockatiels depend on their hearing most for survival. Your cockatiel would continuously be hearing out for possible threats even with the slightest movements.
You should never introduce your little one to strangers until you are confident they are already comfortable with you.
Each of the smallest of movements catches a cockatiel’s attention.
If they see a lizard on the way, they may keep staring at it till the lizard is out of their site.
Your Cockatiel Is Depressed
If your cockatiel is not getting enough enrichment or has recently lost a friend, it is likely to fall into depression.
In some cases, depression may have symptoms similar to physical pain, with your bird losing interest in its surroundings.
If you feel that such behavior of your cockatiel is not due to any physical illness, you must take steps to enrich your bird’s life.
Attention Seeking Behavior
Yet another harmless reason why your cockatiel may be facing the wall is to get attention.
If you notice that your cockatiel is staring once and immediately pet them or provide some comfort, that may indicate to them that if they perform that odd behavior, they’ll get rewarded with a treat.
Your Cockatiel Is Curious
Cockatiels are naturally inquisitive creatures. In the wild, they spend much of their time foraging and exploring new areas. They also like to keep an eye on their surroundings.
This is one of the many wild habits of these birds that our domesticated birds have also kept.
Sometimes cockatiels get intrigued by us because we are so different from them. In fact, they’re fascinated by new things in general.
Other Health Concerns
Besides natural reasons, some underlying health conditions might even lead to your bird facing the wall.
With these underlying medical conditions, you must notice accompanying symptoms that may help determine what is troubling your bird and causing it to face the wall.
Eyesight Issues
If your cockatiel has trouble seeing clearly, it may face the wall. They may not realize what they are looking at due to issues in their eyes.
Your cockatiel may think there is something on the wall they are examining when it is just their eyesight fooling them.
Seizures
Your cockatiel can experience a seizure in various ways. Noticing your bird’s overall behavior during these times of staring off may be able to point you in the right direction of understanding what is ailing their body and mind.
Be sure to connect with your veterinarian immediately if you suspect seizures are the reason for your cockatiel’s staring off.
Compulsive Behavior
Sometimes cockatiels can fall into compulsive behaviors that might get out of control.
Compulsive behavior is a neurological condition that can get worse over time.
It may also include disruptive behaviors like chirping or chewing on things excessively. If you notice these behaviors, be sure to connect with your veterinarian for any next steps you should take.
When Staring At The Wall Is A Problem
In most cases, your cockatiel staring at the wall is not a problem. Your bird might have simply seen or heard something.
You must ensure that you provide your bird with enough enrichment to keep them happy and healthy.
You can also choose to distract your bird from facing the wall by encouraging it to play and move around.
However, staring at the wall can signify a more serious health condition.
If you have any doubts about your bird’s health, it is always best to seek the advice of a vet.
The vet will give your cockatiel a complete examination and either put your mind at rest or develop a healthcare plan if your bird’s facing the wall habit is a symptom of something more serious.
What Does It Mean When A Cockatiel Stares At You?
Several things might be going through your cockatiel’s mind if it is staring at you.
Often, your cockatiel tries to communicate something to you, but at other times, it could be just relaxing.
There may be chances that something has caught your bird’s attention or your cockatiel is just staring at you because you did not serve its food.
Your cockatiel may even stare at you simply because it feels safe around you.
All cockatiels are different. However, by observing its behavior, you will understand why your birds are staring at you.
Final Thoughts
Cockatiels are sensitive birds. They have complex systems, and the beginning signs of some illnesses could be subtle.
The sooner you notice a health issue in your bird, the less severe it is likely to be.
Therefore, if your bird has been facing the wall for a long, it is essential to consider if it is showing any other signs of pain or illness.
If you feel your cockatiel needs medical assistance, take it to a vet as soon as possible.
