Hanging Upside Down

[RadLad]

My cockatiel is now 6-months old and is currently going through his first molt. He has definitely learned new whistles and sounds, and is very active!

But I noticed that whenever he perches on my shoulder he starts to spread his wings and bow his head, I know it's a territorial stance but why on me? He also vocalizes loudly on my shoulder and generally becomes a lot more loud and active. Any reasons as to why?

 

[Tara81]

He is probably very excited and happy to be with you. When my tiel gets a new toy she likes, she will hang upside down on it if possible.

 

[Tiel Feathers]

Your cockatiel sounds cute! My yield do that when they are claiming an area as theirs, like a perch or play stand. It sounds like your bird likes you!

 

[RadLad]

That's plenty reassuring! Thank you!

 

[Khizz]

Mabel does this on her favourite things

 

[JLcribber]

A lot of times it means they want to get wet.

 

[Yoshi&Raphi]

Mabel does this on her favourite things

View attachment 316959

Are you just an amazing photographer or does Mabel constantly look stunning!

 

[Khizz]

Are you just an amazing photographer or does Mabel constantly look stunning!

She is just an incurable show off

 

[Farlie]

Mabel does this on her favourite things

View attachment 316959

MAN, get out the spray bottle and let it rain on that bird!

 

[Khizz]

MAN, get out the spray bottle and let it rain on that bird!

She would have us shower her all day if she had it her way she gets really miffed that our useless human hands need to rest

 

[Shezbug]

I’m so pleased someone posted a pic of a hanging upside down bird!!

Love it!!! Mabel is a rockstar!!!

 

[Farlie]

She would have us shower her all day if she had it her way she gets really miffed that our useless human hands need to rest

Yeah, Farlie wears me out too. I have to use two hands, first the right then the left then back to the right again. He loves to get drenched too the bone and then some.
I've been trying to get him used to taking a shower in the kitchen sink and also in the shower with me but so far it's been a no-go.

 

[Monica]

It could quite possibly mean different things... from wanting to bathe, to trying to look big and scary (usually accompanied with hissing), or perhaps something else.

 

[Ripshod]

It could quite possibly mean different things... from wanting to bathe, to trying to look big and scary (usually accompanied with hissing), or perhaps something else.

Good point. Sometimes a territorial Tiel will display in a similar way. It's down to us as parronts to learn to distinguish between them. You don't want to be spraying a territorial tiel, that would give totally the wrong message.