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I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm definitely seeing some changes in my broods behavior, more like spring than anything else. I had the opportunity to take all of them outside yesterday for a little while, and they seemed to enjoy the bright Feb. sun and very moderate temps. Of course, all were glad to get back in the house, but I could tell by watching them, the sun felt good to them.

Of other note, my buddy Gizmo has really come around in the past couple or 3 weeks. He used to be kind of shy in some ways, never wanting to be held or really touched, but he'd always get very close and watch while I cuddled someone else. Finally, he tried it, and I'm happy to report he is now my 2nd most cuddle-able baby. Gizmo is a pearl, losing his pearls, and now looks more like a normal gray than anything else. I'm so happy he's finally accepted me as a buddy Missy has become nothing less than a terror with her inquisitiveness. She is into everything, and I can't move without her either wanting to see, or sample whatever I'm doing. It's so bad, I have to shake her off now and then to get anything done, especially when it comes to tending to broken feathers or giving comfort to Chibi when he bumps his incoming feathers and screams bloody murder. At any rate, there is never a dull moment with six birdies all wanting attention!

Smokey and Missy are pretty much bonded now, and are for the most part, ignoring the rest of the flock. They want a nesting site, but I refuse to provide one, because Missy is too young to lay eggs, and I'm hoping she will NOT start laying, even tho they are mating every day or every other day. Maybe next year I'll assist, but not now. I don't need any more kids to train me

Two of my pairs are VERY eager to find a nesting site too. I'm expecting one girl to lay any second They're older than yours but I don't want babies and don't want egg-laying to endanger my birds. It always seems to be the season with tiels.

Good to hear that Gizmo has decided to stick around

My tiel friend in Texas has had 5 eggs so far from her female. Poppin' them out!!
Luckily, nothing from Casper. She does seem to be going to bed a bit earlier at night. She goes in sometimes at 9:00-9:30 rather than 10:00. We keep her covered until 6:30 AM every morning and longer on weekends.

We are staying lighter about an hour later at night now too.

Knock on wood, not many changes going on in our house...except her learning how to fly...but that has nothing to do with the change of seasons!!

Spring is definately in the air here!! Luna has been quite vocal the last couple of days - that constant female short loud dhirp/whistle in the same tone for 2-3-4 hours. Saying it's annoying is putting it mildly.

Anyway, while cuddling tonight and NOT touching her from the shoulder down to the tail - she started with the squeaky - chirp - pipping type sound. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! Anything but that!!!!!!!! Last fall (the first time) she only did it with hubby - which he absolutely loved - but still discouraged.

Now - she's doing it with me, much to his dismay, poor guy doesn't get anything from her anymore except 2-3-4 hours a day of high pitched whistles, poop, and her going everywhere he doesn't want her to go.

I feel bad for him - I wanted her to bond to him but she went for me. So now he feels bad that she did the squeaky thing for me and not him. I do too.

Well, I just hope we don't get any eggs!

I wish there were something safe you could put in their water to turn off the hormones at that time, but alas, it's nature at work, and I don't generally like to interfere with mother nature. She *ALWAYS* wins!

Guess we just have to cope and hope for the best.

I am so glad to hear that I'm not the only one with a hormonal bird right now.

Do birds get hormonal?? Well Rosie is just a baby so she should be ok.. THey lay eggs even if they aren't having babies?? What do you do with them? Gosh that sound stupid.. But I'm a paranoid new mommy.

Yes - those hormones are kicked in all right! It starts at about 11-12 months of age (for Luna that was in sept.), and now as we approach spring! Female tiels will lay egg when they think its a good time to have babies. Of course they need a male to actually have little tiels. Tiels are like chickens, they don't need a male to lay eggs.

Don't worry about it yet, you have time to start reading and learning about what you need to do when the time comes. For now, make sure she is eating well, give her veggies along with the seeds and pellets. Luna loves broccolli, cauliflour, peas, corn, carrots, kale, chick peas, and almost anything I'm eating. Almost forgot the cheerios and cornflakes!

I actually seen a book called Cockatiels for Dummies that I thought about buying.. I might just do that.. Thanks for the suggestion.. So I'm safe for another half year or more..

Gosh, just in 4 days since I posted to this topic, ALOT has changed. Casper started singing, did the wolf whistle, is not as lovey (likes being in her cage), and she even took her first bath on her own today. I swear someone stole my Casper and replaced her with a totally different bird.

She has been a tad crankier lately too.

I almost died when I saw her dip her head in her bowl and shake. Then she actually stood in it and flapped her wings. This is the bird that hated baths!!!!