Help! My cockatiel freaked out when

[Not_Giving_Up]

we turned on the ceiling fan in the living room. We don't normally run it, because the light stays on all of the time (no chain), but the A/C is on the fritz, and it's HOT in here. Turned on the fan, and Sydney started squawking and screeching and freaking out. He now has a bloody nose. :wtf:

[xultar]

1. Is there a breeze on his cage?

[Not_Giving_Up]

5. Somewhat

His cage hangs...I think he feels a little too close to the action.

[Spinzonner]

2. "The sky is spinning, the sky is spinning"

Apparently you have Cockatiel Little there

[Der Blaue Engel]

3. My tiels freak when I move large things around

I find putting their blankie over the cage when I need to do something that freaks them out (like vacuum or carry a rug or a laundry basket into the room) helps.

Where exactly is he bleeding? You might need to wrap him in a towel to take a look and make sure he's not seriously injured.

Edited for confusing phrasing. :)

[Not_Giving_Up]

6. He has NEVER freaked out like this

I don't want to cover his cage because it's SO damn hot.

Bleeding from the nostril. Not sure if he worked up into a nosebleed, or bonked something in his cage.

[Der Blaue Engel]

11. I would agree with the calling the vet suggestion

Also, be careful about the hanging cage...I had a 'keet several years ago in Arizona whose cage was hung close to the ceiling to keep her from the cats. One day it got really hot in the house before I came home for lunch, and Perta was dead. :( Heat rises. Move Sydney somewhere cool and away from the fan.

(Also, I used a cool, wet towel for a cover once when driving the tiel from Arizona with no AC in the car; that might work if you need to cover him.)

[Not_Giving_Up]

14. He seems to be ok now

He hangs to protect him from the cats as well. It's not a high ceiling, we live in a trailer, and the cage is about eye level for the adults in the house. I may try a cool wet towel on his cage.

[philosophie_en_rose]

4. Call a vet.

A bloody nose sounds very serious. Perhaps the sound or dust is causing a reaction. Turn the fan off!

[Not_Giving_Up]

7. The fan is off

We turned it off when he started freaking out. See above about possible causes.

[Darth_Kitten]

9. has the bleeding stopped?

:(

[Not_Giving_Up]

10. Yes

He seems fine now...but we're sweating our asses off.

[Darth_Kitten]

12. I'm sorry, I know the feeling....

I'm glad the bleeding has stopped.

[Darth_Kitten]

8. I agree.....

n/t

My cockatiel freaks out over some things too.

[Magrittes Pipe]

13. Watch the nose like a hawk.

Cockatiels don't have much blood. If it starts bleeding again, GET HIM TO AN AVIAN VET IMMEDIATELY.

I'm glad he seems to be doing better. Tiels are such sweet, loving little birds, but they are easily spooked. I hate to hear about one in distress. :(

[Not_Giving_Up]

16. He's still a baby, too

We got him two months ago, handfed sweetie! It was freaky to see him like that.

[-..__...]

15. Don't let him out while the fan is on!

Spinning fan blades and flying birds are a recipe for disaster.

:smoke:

[Not_Giving_Up]

18. We weren't

He was in the cage, and freaked out when we turned on the fan. I calmed him down, and my husband spun the blades with his hand...freak out again. It's just freaking him out.

[-..__...]

22. As a bird owner of at least 40 years...

They will almost always exhibit some strange behavior and will freak out over the most innocuous things. There's really no telling what, when or where things will disturb them (I have a 10 year old Senegal that sees poltergeists or shadows that aren't there).

Certain species of birds are more antsy than others (IIRC, Cockatiels are pretty high strung).

I'd suggest relocating your tiel to a different room. It's highly unlikely he'll adapt to the fan blades spinning overhead.

Repost this in the DU Pets Group for other experiences and solutions.

[WePurrsevere]

17. Hope he's better... perhaps he see the fan as a giant bird...

perhaps he felt it was going to attack him... can you move his cage to somewhere away from it?

[warrior1]

19. Ok

You guys put the wet towels on your selfs and leave the fan off. Smile.

[Not_Giving_Up]

20. Ha!

I just changed into shorts and a tank top. My hair is in a mess on top of my head, and the kids are whining. This is gonna be a fun night.

[caty]

21. It's in their nature to fear

anything that might swoop down upon them from above. The fan problably made him feel as though he were under attack. Move the cage to another room or cover just the top and one side of the cage so he will not see the fan.:scared:

[Baclava]

23. Take him in the shower for a bath

My Rex loves the shower...he'll sit on my shoulder and play for hours if I let him...(no direct spray, of course) - the fine mist is enough - then the blow dryer - his favorite...