My Zahzu

Question
Hello, I have what I feel is a male cockateil that was purchased for me last May for mother's day.  In years past I had two female cockateils that I lost to "Egg bound" and another one to liver problems.  I loved them both dearly and did everything I could to help them.  But I lost them.  So my daughters bought me Zahzu and we are assuming at this point he is a male.  My question is...While he is very verbal and quite the hoodini of getting out of his cage, he uses his beak to open the cage doors and gets out what puzzles me is I have never seen a cockateil hanging upside down like a bat?  I have heard that this may be a sign of a brain tumor.  I would like someone to clarify that for me for I would take him to the vet immediately.  He is a member of my family.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you Becky

Answer
Hello Becky and thank you for your post.
Just to be on the safe side, I would suggest you taking him into a Certified Avian or Exotic animal Vet to have him checked out.
I've known about 3 birds like this in the past, 2 of which were perfectly healthy, it was just their personality.  The onther one did have a tumor and had to be euthanized.
One of my own Cockatiels had tried to do this after waching my Amazon Parrot, but he let go of the idea as he found that he didn't like to hang upside down.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna