Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My cockatiel often wakes in the middle of the night and starts flopping around his cage. On other occasions it's broad daylight, and all of a sudden he gets spooked by something and he flops around again, and his right leg goes limp. After he's calm, his leg is as it was, perfectly functional. I don't understand this peculiar behavior. It concerns me greatly though lately he's been getting along fine without any of these "episodes". And, other than these unprovoked hysterical reactions he is perectly healthy.

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
~Sarah

Except for the right leg going weak I would have said it was probably night terrors which cockatiels get when its too dark for them to see.

I am wondering if there isn't something going on with his leg. Perhaps something pressing a nerve? I would look into taking him to a vet if it continues.

I also would've said night terrors because they're common in tiel's but during the day too???? It's kinda strange with the leg. If it was a budgie I would've said seizures. Budgies are very prone to fits but I don't think it's heard of in tiel's. I really think you should get him checked out by an avian vet....

Definitely get it checked out. As the others said night terrors or earthquake syndrome as it is also called is common in cockatiels but usually mainly at night when it is really dark and I have not heard of it causing any leg or muscle problems. I have heard in cases during inbreeding of cockatiels to bring forth certain colors or variations that on rare occassions they will develop a nerve disorder that usually results after the second year of life. Is this a possibility. Either way a vet should be able to tell if it is something serious.