Question
I have two cockatiels, a male and a female. They usually have a good tone, sitting close to eachother and communicating with eachother when apart.
Sometimes I see one or both of them bowing head to the other. When bowing, they will keep their head down and slightly push their head into the other. I've never seen any of them respond to the other's bowed head. Usually the other gets annoyed.
It looks like they both want the other to do somethibng specific, and both get annoyed when the other doesnt do that.
What does this behavior mean?
Answer
They're asking to be preened.
Missy (pictured on the left) never gets the message, so Prince (right) pecks Missy after a few seconds, because he wants attention. I've also seen this in my other cockatiel pair and between two parakeets. Even one of my parrotlets bows his head to request preening from a parakeet.
Answered By - Mango Princess