Biki's Aviary - Cockatiel Care, Bird Health & Pet Bird Guides

📌 Quick Answer:   When a cockatiel puffs up, it can mean many things — from normal warmth-seeking and contentment to illness, fear, or breeding behaviour. The key is to read the combination of signals: body posture, crest position, eye state, and time of day. This guide gives you a complete decision framework to decode every type of puffing in your cockatiel. Why Do Cockatiels Puff Up? The Science Behind Feather Fluffing If you have ever watched your cockatiel suddenly transform from a sleek, slender bird into a round, fluffy ball, you have witnessed one of the most common — and most misunderstood — cockatiel behaviours. Puffing up, also called 'feather fluffing' or 'thermal fluffing', is when a cockatiel raises its feathers away from its body, trapping pockets of warm air beneath them. This creates a natural insulating layer — essentially a built-in blanket. But here is what most articles fail to explain: puffing up is not one behaviour with one meaning. It is a s...

If you've just brought home a cockatiel — or have had one for years — you've probably wondered: should I cover my cockatiel's cage at night? Walk into any bird forum and you'll find heated debates. Some owners swear by it. Others have never used a cover and their birds thrive. The truth is, there is no single 'right' answer for every bird. But there IS a right answer for your cockatiel — and in this guide, we'll give you every piece of information you need to make that decision confidently. 1. Why Sleep Matters So Much for Cockatiels Before diving into the covering debate, it's important to understand how critical sleep is for your feathered friend. Cockatiels are diurnal birds — meaning they are active during daylight hours and are biologically wired to sleep when it's dark. In the wild, cockatiels native to Australia follow the natural sunrise-sunset cycle almost perfectly. As dusk approaches, they instinctively gather in sheltered spots, away ...