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My female cockatiel, I just got, has been acting really weird. She was quiet the first couple of days, but now she just screams all the time. She is eating all the time and is very aggressive while eating. She has also been making this weird noise when I took her out of her cage or pet her. She is 3 months old and I don't know what's wrong. I've done some research, but nothing is the same noise as hers.

This is the noise she is making: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5t3w3DOtSrQ

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    Hi Emma, welcome to Pets SE.
    – lila
    Oct 5, 2020 at 0:45
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    as not-a-bird-person, this sounds for me like "help help mom, help me"-kind of sound, that little birds do, to call their parents for food or something. How was its life until now? Was it fed by its parents, or was it raised by hand? I have read something about "crying tyrants" because of missing education by the bird-parents Oct 5, 2020 at 5:39
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    So, I got the bird at a place where you could just go up and pick them up so she is very familiar with people and doesn't get nervous around me at all. I think she was handed but the people did not give me to much information even though I tried to ask. But his helps me, thanks! Oct 5, 2020 at 10:58

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The way I understand, you have her for only a few days / weeks. That is usually too short for the bird to learn to trust you and befriend you.

On the other hand (if the video is with your bird, not something random from the net) the bird is actually trying to communicate with you. If you do not understand whatever she is saying, it is your problem :)

Joke aside, just continue to be friendly and in time you will find a "common language".


I had in the past that kind of cockatiel, and it enjoyed making loud whistle-like noises. Especially in the morning, before the alarm was set to wake us up. That is life.


Advice: only provide food in her "house", in the proper place. For your long-term better life ;)

Guess: she might be angry with you for spilling the food in the improper place. ;)

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  • Yea, I knew it wasn't going to be quite of course but I just wanted to see if others had an experience with those. But I have researched it just means they want food even though she eats all the time. Thank you! Oct 5, 2020 at 10:54
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It isn't surprising that your bird is upset, since she's still very young and is in a completely new place without her previous family. I've had new cockatiels who screamed when they were new to my home. It takes a lot of time, patience and--especially--attention while she builds a bond with you and feels secure in knowing that you will not leave her.

The weird noise is a begging call. Be sure that she has a rich and balanced diet. She's very young and still growing, so she can easily be short of some nutrients even if she's eating a large quantity of food. She's still a little young to be completely weaned. If you can get an avian hand-feeding formula, it might help. She's too old for a syringe, but you can mix it up (room temperature) and feed her with a small spoon. It will help ensure that she gets all of her nutrients.

Remember that the whole world is still new and scary to her, so she's going to be a bit freaked out for a while. That's okay. Patience and love will make her feel better gradually.

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