I have a 1 1/2 yr. old Rosie who loved to be petted, played with and cuddled. Then one day it's like someone turned the light switch off - he became extremely nervous, would pace back and forth and actually throw himself to be bottom of the cage when I opened the door. I changed NOTHING! I decided to try sitting quietly beside his cage just to let him know I wasn't going to hurt or even touch him. I did this for a couple of days and then opened the cage door and sat quietly beside him. Finally the pacing stopped and I started playing with his "hand" toys. Curiosity won out and he came down and sat next to the door and took the toys from my hand and started playing. Eventully I won his trust enough for him to step up on my hand and come up to my shoulder - he actually gave me kisses! I was so relieved that I was crying! He was finally coming out of his cage on top and playing and stepping up and was fine as long as I didn't take him away from the cage area. I also started using Bach's Rescue Remedy to help take the edge off his nervousness. Unfortunately, he jumped and broke a blood feather, to which I had to towel and pull it out. Now we're back to him pacing and being extremely wary of me again. Once again I'm sitting next to the cage and starting the ritual all over again. Just recently I've been told Rosies can be very phoebic - has anyone ever heard of this or do you have a bird that has reacted in the same way as my little guy. What else can I do - any suggestions?

Has anything in the room changed? Are there new shadows on the walls especially at night, a new picture? Have you changed anything in your personal appearance over the last few days or weeks? Birds are often very much creatures of habit and small changes can make them feel threatened or insecure. These changes may be very small or insignificant to us, but they can be very big to our birds. It could have something to do with the lengthening of the days and the shift of the position of the sun. It is possible that there is a new shadow or something that your guy is seeing as a threat that wasn't there before. What about diet? Are you overfeeding pellets at the expense of fresh foods? Are there hemp seeds in your seed mix? Yes, I'm serious. Hemp can be added to seed mixes as long as the seed is sterilized. Buster's seed mix contains a small amount of hemp. Some feel that hemp can increase hormonal behaviors and cause some birds to become overly excited and nervous. I have not noticed this with Buster but the differences between a cockatoo and a cockatiel are as marked as the similarities.

Let us know about these things and maybe we can come up with some more concrete ideas. Right now, I'm just offering suggestions as to possible causes.

Pat - sorry you are on this behavioral roller coaster with your Rosie. Feedback I have received from many is that they are wonderful pets. With the exception of one person, I hear great feedback on them. Give him time. You unfotunately do not know what his past was. Do you know if they let him out of his cage often? I wonder if he is cagebound. It took me a long time with Calvin - a good 6 months -to gain his trust. I could not ask for a better bird now, but I sure do have lotsa scars from wounds inflicted during that adjustment period.

I agree with Bustersbuddy. I have heard of birds freaking out when the owner wears nail polish or changes their hair style.