In this story, I will look at why your cockatiels puff up sometimes and what you can do to soothe them if they are stressed or defensive.
In this story, I explain other reasons why your pet is puffing up, including some specific behaviors related to it.
Like other birds, the most common reason a cockatiel can fluff up its feathers is to trap heat inside its body and try to stay warm.
Puffing up can be a symptom of certain illnesses in cockatiels, such as respiratory infections.
Preening serves many purposes, from keeping the feathers aerated and free from debris to social signaling between the bird and its companion or conspecifics.
This behavior is also known as “fluffing” and assists in scaring off potential predators by making the cockatiel appear larger and more intimidating.