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8 Common Cockatiel Wing Problems And What To Do About Them!

The number of people keeping a pet cockatiel has drastically increased over the last couple of years and although they are still the second most commonly kept pet bird in the world, it does look like they may take over budgies in the top spot in the coming years.

With so many people adding a pet cockatiel to their family for the first time right now, we have noticed more and more people reaching out with various questions about keeping their own pet cockatiels.

After publishing our article going over how to help a cockatiel with a hurt wing, we noticed that many people often have problems actually diagnosing the various cockatiel wing problems that their bird may be suffering from.

Due to this, we have decided to publish this article going over the most common cockatiel wing problems that your bird may be suffering from to try and help our readers get a better idea of the potential issues with their cockatiel’s wing.

Please note that this article is just general advice and things to look for with the various problems that your cockatiel may have with their wing. If your bird is in pain or having any problems then you really should be looking to take them to a vet to have the bird checked over.

Cockatiel Wing Problems!

Here is a quick list of the common cockatiel wing problems that your bird may experience but we will cover them all in more detail later in the article:-

  • A Broken Wing!
  • A Swollen Wing!
  • A Sprained Wing!
  • A Fractured Wing!
  • Open Wounds!
  • Parasite Infections!
  • Fungal Infections!
  • Molting Feathers!

Although rare, some cockatiels may actually have multiple issues from that list at the same time making it difficult to work out what is actually wrong with your bird.

A Broken Wing!

The most common cockatiel wing problem that you will likely have to deal with at some stage is a broken wing.

There are a few ways that your cockatiel can break their wing and usually, it is down to them flying into something or falling from a great height.

If your bird has a broken wing then you may notice that they are struggling to fly or even walk as the injury will impact their movement.

You may also see that your bird is holding their wing at an odd angle or that there is an obvious deformity in the wing itself.

If you think that your cockatiel has a broken wing then it is important to take them to see a vet as soon as possible. The vet will be able to x-ray the wing and see exactly where the break is.

They will then be able to put the wing in a splint or cast to help support the injury while it heals.

A Swollen Wing!

If your cockatiel’s wing is swollen then it is likely due to an injury or an infection.

The swelling will usually be quite obvious and you may notice that your bird is favouring the injured wing.

If the swelling is due to an injury then it is important to take your cockatiel to see a vet as soon as possible so that they can check for any broken bones.

If the swelling is due to an infection then it is important to take your cockatiel to see a vet as soon as possible so that they can prescribe the correct course of antibiotics.

A Sprained Wing!

A sprained wing is usually the result of your cockatiel flying into something or falling from a great height.

If your cockatiel has a sprained wing then you may notice that they are struggling to fly or even move its wing due to the sprain.

It can be difficult to confirm a sprained wing in a cockatiel and in most cases, your bird will usually get better and heal over time provided it isnt using its wing much.

A Fractured Wing!

If your cockatiel’s wing is fractured then it is likely due to an injury, old age weakening the bones or problems with the nutritional profile of the cockatiel making its bones weak.

The fracture will usually be quite obvious and you may notice that your bird is favouring the injured wing.

Thankfully, most fractures in cockatiels are easy to treat and although we wouldent recommend that you try to fix the issue yourself, some people have bound a fractured wing on their cockatiel and had the problem heal rather than take the bird to a vet.

Open Wounds!

Opens wounds such as cuts, tears, and punctures are usually the result of your cockatiel getting caught on something or being attacked by another bird in its cage.

If you notice an open wound on your cockatiel then it is important to clean the area with warm water and a mild antiseptic soap.

Once the area is clean, you can apply a small amount of honey to help speed up the healing process.

Once the wound has healed, it is important to make sure that your cockatiel does not pick at the area as this could lead to an infection.

Parasite Infections!

Parasite infections are usually the result of your cockatiel coming into contact with another bird that is infected or by eating contaminated food or water.

If you notice that your cockatiel is listless, has lost its appetite or has diarrhoea then it is important to take them to see a vet as these are all signs of a parasite infection.

The vet will be able to prescribe the correct course of treatment to get rid of the parasites and help your cockatiel to recover.

There are some over the counter anti-parasitic treatments that most pet stores will have in stock that can work too but depending on the specific parasite causing the problem with your cockatiels wing, they may not be an effective treatment.

Bacterial Infections!

Bacterial infections in cockatiels are usually due to their cage not being cleaned on a regular basis or if they have come into contact with another bird that is infected.

If you notice that your cockatiel is lethargic, has lost its appetite or has diarrhoea then it is important to take them to see a vet as these are all signs of a bacterial infection.

The anti-bacterial treatments available in pet stores tend to work well though as problems with a build up of bacteria is usually very easy to treat even without a speciallist treatment from a vet.

Fungal Infections!

Thankfully, fungal infections are rare in cockatiels but they can still occur if the bird is kept in a damp or dirty cage.

If you notice any white, flaky patches on your cockatiel’s wing then it is important to take them to see a vet as this could be a sign of a fungal infection.

We would always recommend the speciallist anti-fungal treatments from a vet if you think that your pet cockatiel has a fungal infection as it really does have to be treat quickly as it can end up being a serious problem.

Molting Feathers!

Cockatiels will molt their feathers on a regular basis as they are constantly growing new ones.

If you notice that your cockatiel is losing more feathers than normal then it is important to make sure that they are getting a good diet as this can be a sign of malnutrition.

A lack of vitamins and minerals in their diet can also lead to your cockatiel’s feathers not growing back as quickly as they should do.

If you are concerned about your cockatiel’s molting process then it is always best to take them to see a vet as they will be able to give you some specific advice on how to help your pet through the molting process.