new tiel makes wierd noises

i just got a new cockatiel and she always crawls onto my chest and screeches, almost as though shes in pain. the noises are long and throaty and when she does it she ducks her head and crouches against me. the local vet says its normal- is it?

[Tviokh]

Does it sound like radio static?

If so, it's a begging noise. She's begging for food.

Are you certain she's 100% weaned, and hasn't regressed?

I don't mean to alarm you, but it is something to look in to. Sometimes birds who regress DO eat, but don't eat enough to maintain their body weight.

My baby made that noise when she wanted to be held or scratched too...they do grow out of it.

It sounds a lot like radio static. I bought her from a woman in West Virginia who said she was about twelve weaks old. What does regress mean? Im a new bird owner and Im pretty clueless.

[Tviokh]

At 4 months it IS possible for them to regress.

Regression usually happens due to the stress of moving to a new home, it means the baby bird wants to be handfed again and will stop eating or reduce the amount it eats...become hungry(because it's starving) and beg you to feed it.
That's what that noise is.

However, if the bird is eating well and not losing weight, it may just be begging for you to play with it or scratch it or something.

Skitter eats but I haven't had her long enough to determine whether or not shes eating enough or losing weight. If she is regressing what do I do about it? I do give her food when she makes that noise.

And how much does a tiel usually eat?

[Tviokh]

The only way to know if she's losing weight is to buy a gram scale and weigh her each morning.

If she has actually regressed, you'll need to have your avian vet(you have one right? ) show you how to handfeed.
You may want to call the breeder you purchased her from and ask for some advice.

Like I said, I don't mean to alarm you, as some babies just make this noise and are perfectly fine.

[Dan]

I wish I could help you with the handfeeding part, but I haven't ever done it, so I don't know!

Do you know a good avian vet near you?

Good luck with everything!!

I live in the middle of nowhere so I dont neccesarily know that there is an avian vet near me but we have ones that take care of small animals. But thanx for the advice.

[Dan]

Hopefully, you'll be able to find one!

You're welcome!