Cockatiel died, partner freaking out. How to sooth him?

[Tatuana]

Jazzie finally died, leaving Giles behind. They've been mates for about 12 years. Jazzie was seriously crippled (her foot was deformed and not fixed as a chick). For the last year she's been using the tray in the bottom of the cage to hold herself up due to failing health. So while Giles climbs around the top of the cage (it's huge) or outside, she sits on the bottom and naps. She had a good quality of life or I would have put her down.

I uncovered them today to find Jazzie had finally passed. Thing is, since she always hung out on the bottom of the cage, I don't think Giles realized it. She's his teddy tear and security blanket. So when I removed her he began freaking out. He's screaming in panic if I leave the room. He's also flying around. I think he assumes I took Jazzie away for a bath.

To make matters worse, he's only just recovered from a traumatic experience. In a freak accident he got out the door and flew away. It took me hours to get him home. He's only just gotten comfortable again.

Anyone have suggestions for how to sooth him? He doesn't really like toys, or treats. I've never really had luck getting him to play with toys. Since The Banana Incident he won't take treats either. I'm willing to try if it helps, though.

I'm moving countries soon or I'd consider getting him a buddy once he mourns. I've had parakeets die, finches die, cats and fish... But never a cockatiel. Help?

 

[sourland]

Try a mirror in or near the cage where he can see himself. It may help to give him 'companionship'. Hopefully this will help.

 

[tripletfeb]

X2 on the mirror idea. My cockatiel loves looking in his mirror and singing/talking to himself. Sorry for your loss

 

[Quailobsessed]

Jazzie finally died, leaving Giles behind. They've been mates for about 12 years. Jazzie was seriously crippled (her foot was deformed and not fixed as a chick). For the last year she's been using the tray in the bottom of the cage to hold herself up due to failing health. So while Giles climbs around the top of the cage (it's huge) or outside, she sits on the bottom and naps. She had a good quality of life or I would have put her down.

I uncovered them today to find Jazzie had finally passed. Thing is, since she always hung out on the bottom of the cage, I don't think Giles realized it. She's his teddy tear and security blanket. So when I removed her he began freaking out. He's screaming in panic if I leave the room. He's also flying around. I think he assumes I took Jazzie away for a bath.

To make matters worse, he's only just recovered from a traumatic experience. In a freak accident he got out the door and flew away. It took me hours to get him home. He's only just gotten comfortable again.

Anyone have suggestions for how to sooth him? He doesn't really like toys, or treats. I've never really had luck getting him to play with toys. Since The Banana Incident he won't take treats either. I'm willing to try if it helps, though.

I'm moving countries soon or I'd consider getting him a buddy once he mourns. I've had parakeets die, finches die, cats and fish... But never a cockatiel. Help?

Sorry for your loss and for Giles'

I don't know whether this will help but for the sake of closure, can you show him Jazzie so he knows what happened, so he doesn't keep wondering where she is.

Are you bringing him with you when you move countries? If your keeping him, I would spend lots of time with him and show him someone's there for him. Is he tame?

 

[Tatuana]

Sorry for your loss and for Giles'

I don't know whether this will help but for the sake of closure, can you show him Jazzie so he knows what happened, so he doesn't keep wondering where she is.

Are you bringing him with you when you move countries? If your keeping him, I would spend lots of time with him and show him someone's there for him. Is he tame?

I thought of showing him the body right after I finished burying her. I about smacked myself. We both live with my mother currently, so he's going to stay here. Importing him would be very, very difficult. I'm hoping he'll get enough love without me.

I'll try getting him a mirror. He's still freaking out horribly. And today is my super, super busy day. So I can't comfort him as much as he needs. I feel bad for him.

 

[Serin]

I would rehome the bird to someone with another cockatiel. I have done just that when I was down to one. They do poorly singly IME, worse than many birds.

Mirrors do not replace companionship and lead to neurosis and depression as a mirror does not react to their behavior.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

When a similar thing happened to my parakeets I would go and read to them every single day sometimes multiple times a day in a nice soft soothing voice. I would keep him in the cage and put a blanket halfway over the top so he can still see out the front but he also feels secure and safe. Good luck!

 

[Tatuana]

I would rehome the bird to someone with another cockatiel. I have done just that when I was down to one. They do poorly singly IME, worse than many birds.

Mirrors do not replace companionship and lead to neurosis and depression as a mirror does not react to their behavior.

I know it's horribly selfish of me, but I could never re-home him. I rescued him and spent two and a half years working with him to not be terrified. I also just lost a cat, nearly lost another, and found out my husband is dying. I can't cope with the 'loss' of another thing. I know that's mean of me, and selfish, but I just can't right now.



I've been home all day today. He's fine as long as I sit in the room with him. The second I leave he either flies away or screams. He's been screaming all day. I've so far been unable to distract him, so I've been spending time with him instead. I hope he settles. He doesn't seem upset, so much as freaked out at the change. I could be completely wrong, however. As I said, I've never had a cockatiel die before.

 

[FathertoFeathers]

I know it's horribly selfish of me, but I could never re-home him. I rescued him and spent two and a half years working with him to not be terrified. I also just lost a cat, nearly lost another, and found out my husband is dying. I can't cope with the 'loss' of another thing. I know that's mean of me, and selfish, but I just can't right now.



I've been home all day today. He's fine as long as I sit in the room with him. The second I leave he either flies away or screams. He's been screaming all day. I've so far been unable to distract him, so I've been spending time with him instead. I hope he settles. He doesn't seem upset, so much as freaked out at the change. I could be completely wrong, however. As I said, I've never had a cockatiel die before.

Have you tried playing some soothing music? Whenever my parakeets freak out i'll put on some calming piano music or soft classical music and that usually works. Occasionally I put some nature sounds on but im worried that this might upset him more because he can hear other birds in this and he might think his mate is coming back prolonging his distress.

 

[chickens really]

A Mirror will definitely help. Try playing music too. My guy loves Christmas carols and his mirror. Mine is let out daily to climb around his cage. Give him time to adjust.