Cockatiels are energetic birds, so their quiet attitudes might show more than just face value. Let’s figure out the reasons why the cockatiels are so quiet.

Cockatiels are very social bird pets. They love to have companions around and are very excited then. Adopting a cockatiel, many people hope the bird will make the atmosphere in their home more lively with a lot of fun. But sometimes the birds get almost quiet. With inexperienced bird owners, they will be really nervous and do not know what to do. In this post, we will together find the main reasons why your cockatiel is quiet. Then, get some tips to interest your bird, make it happier, and speak again.

Why is my cockatiel so quiet?

A cockatiel becomes inactive and quiet because it might be having psychological issues like getting used to a new living environment, or it might be suffering health problems.

A new living environment

You might have just taken a new cockatiel to your home and see it is not happy and gets so quiet. But don’t need to worry too much about this case because it is a normal reaction of birds getting into a new living space. The bird might be still cautious about its new cage and new owner. It might take your bird a few days to adapt and get on well with its new home.

A health problem

When your cockatiel gets sick, it doesn’t want to do anything and just keeps quiet. This is when you must do something to save your bird. One day, your bird suddenly doesn’t eat or wash itself with water or shiver, it doesn’t want to talk or play like other days. There must be a health problem then.  It is time for you to find the cause and solution right away. Do not ignore that because the problem can become worse if you do not understand the underlying reasons.

What can you do to help a quiet cockatiel due to psychological problems?

If your cockatiel looks so tired that you know exactly they are having a health issue, you should as soon as possible take it to the vet for a medical checkup.

But in case the bird can eat normally and still be healthy, there might be a psychological problem with it. Then, the following advice can be very helpful.

Spend more time with the bird

It is very important to interact with your cockatiel. Just simply sit by its cage and speak to your bird everything you want gently for about 30 minutes each day. This is an essential thing to do while your bird is getting accustomed to the new home because it helps the bird get used to your voice and presence more quickly. And the cockatiel will feel more secure and relaxed. Then it could be more confident to play and make sounds around you. Being quiet is a normal reaction of a new bird and speaking to it is the best way to bond with it, getting it open up after a while.

Just remember this process takes time, it doesn’t work out right away as most cockatiels remain apprehensive in this first stage. You need to be patient and consistent, setting a time and sticking to it on a daily basis.

Then after a few days, your cockatiels will start to speak confidently.

Give it bird toys

Cockatiels will be bored when their cage is bare and they do not have anything to entertain themselves throughout the day. They can screech to have something to play. If not, they can start to get depressed and stop speaking.

It is highly recommended to equip the birdcage with some high-quality bird toys which should be safe and engaging to cockatiels. These will give the birds a lot of fun, making them open up and feel content in their cage.

Give the bird gentle touch

When a cockatiel gets used to you, you can smoothly put your hand inside the birdcage without making it scared. For the first time, just let your cockatiel come to you proactively. If the bird really feels comfortable to have you around, it will come to your hand, and you can pet it then.

Cockatiels love petting actions. Those can increase bonding between you with the bird, help you understand its tendencies, and teach it to speak. One of the most effective ways to bond with cockatiels is by petting them.

Give the cockatiel treats

Besides bird toys, your cockatiel will become very excited when they get their favorite foods. You can use these treats to make your cockatiel ease up and enjoy making the movement again. 

Most cockatiels react well to treats. What you need to do is to figure out your bird’s favorite treats. If you are lucky, your bird will be happier and start speaking. Normally, birds like cockatiels enjoy seeds, pellets, or some kinds of fruits. Offering your birds those foods from time to time can enhance the situation of quiet cockatiels.

Final thoughts

Your cockatiel becomes quiet because of some main reasons. It could be the living environmental change and they get timid in the beginning period. Also, you might not give it enough attention and care, then they become upset :(. If not, the cause must be the issues relating to health problems. You should know why your cockatiel becomes quiet and help it go through that. Your bird will very grateful and become a more and more loving bird.