8 Situations in Which Cockatoos Shake or Shiver

Published on Nov 02, 2021 by Bilal Qamar

Last Updated on November 11, 2022

Everything cockatoos do express how they feel. The body language of cockatoos can help us understand their emotions and health. Similarly, when a cockatoo shakes or shivers, it is also a sign.

Generally, cockatoos joyfully shake when they are happy, but if they shiver, it usually means they are either sick or stressed. Let’s talk about the signs that help us understand whether our cockatoo is shaking in excitement or sick.

Cockatoos Shivers Due to Illness

10 situations in which cockatoos shake or shiver

When cockatoos shake because they are excited, they usually appear very active and raise their crests. Their shaking is an expression of happiness. But when cockatoos are sick, they look inactive, their feathers puffed, their eyes not completely opened, and they seem uninterested in everything.

But there are other situations in which cockatoos shake or shiver. Let’s discuss all the situations in which cockatoos shake or shiver.

Excitement

Cockatoos shake in excitement when interacting with their owner or getting their desired treat. They also shake when they listen to their favorite music and get excited. This is why many cockatoo owners say their cockatoos enjoy and dance to music

Feeling cold or sick

Cockatoos shiver when they are feeling cold, or they are sick. The shivering is most prominent in their breast muscles. Their feathers are puffed, their eyes are not completely opened, and they sit quietly in one place for more than an hour.

They do not fold their wings and drop them like they cannot lift them. If your cockatoo shows any such signs, it is sick and immediately needs help.

Fear

Cockatoos shiver when they are scared of someone. It could be another pet, frightening the cockatoo, or a human. Generally, when cockatoos are scared, they shiver, but their eyes are completely opened, unlike when they are sick.

Physical stress

Cockatoos shake to release stress. Usually, they also open and flap their wings without flying. They do it just to ease their muscles after a hectic day or if they stay in a small cage for some time.

Mental stress

Cockatoos shiver when they are mentally stressed, similar to when they are scared. This usually happens when they are in a stressful environment and not getting proper feed and treatment. If not treated in time, such cockatoos can start plucking their feathers and remove almost all feathers on their body below their head.

Regulating body temperature

Cockatoos shake and open their wings to release heat. Naturally, they can keep themselves warm with their closed wings as heat traps between their feathers, wings, and body. But when it is already warm outside, keeping their wings closed makes them feel warm. So they shake and open their wings to release this heat.

Drying feathers after a bath

Cockatoos like to take baths, especially when it’s warm outside. The water droplets trap in their feathers; to release them, the cockatoos shake and flap their wings.

Molting and preening

When cockatoos are molting, their feathers start falling, and new feathers appear. Sometimes the old feathers are near to falling; they have detached from the body and need a shake to fall off.

Preening is when the new feathers appear; they are usually capped with a thin layer of protein. Cockatoos pick that later and drop it on the ground to let the new feather open and grow. These caps are sometimes stuck in their feathers and need a shake to fall off. In both situations, the cockatoos shake to clean their body.

Shivering of Cockatoos in Pain

What to do if your cockatoo shakes or shivers?

Firstly identify why your cockatoo is shaking or shivering. If your cockatoo is just excited or shaking for no serious reason, then there is nothing to worry about. But if it appears sick or you can’t identify the reason, immediately consult an avian.

Bilal is an aviculturist who loves to write in free time. His personal experience with bird care and breeding enables him to share valuable tips. So far, he has contributed more than 100 blogs to this site. His goal is to promote bird-keeping and save endangered species.

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