cokiteal concerns

Question
my cockatiel started acting strange yesterday, she kind of wobbles on her perch or when she is not standing on the bottom of her cadge. She also over the past week started getting larger like she was fat, she still likes to preen but has stopped singing. Any ideas ? or is this a behavior that is common to something? her age is unknown , I've had her three years

Answer
Hello Dan and thank you for your post.
Is she eating normally, or does she sit puffed up?  If she is puffed up more than usual, you have a sick bird on your hands and she needs to be seen by a Certified Avian or Exotic Animal Vet right away.
If she is eating normally and/or is not sitting all pfuued up, your cockatiel might be getting ready to lay eggs. This could be the reason that she is looking fatter.  If you hear little squeaking noises from her, these are labor pains and she will start laying eggs very soon.
Keep a watch on her for the next day or so.  If she doesn't seem to get better, or if she hasn't layed any eggs, then take her in and have her checked.
I have a 9 year old female that actually climbs around her cage more than normal when she is getting ready to lay eggs, and yes, she does wobble a bit on her perch.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna