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My 17-year-old cockatiel falls off perch. Is it old age or illness?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Male | 17 years and 10 months old

I have a 17 y/o cockatiel who falls off his perch. Eats and drinks normally and otherwise healthy. Didn't fly into anything. Is this just a sign of old age?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Published on November 20th, 2017

Piper is very ill, but i couldn't tell you what is wrong based on this very general symptom, you will need to take him to an avian vet where a blood test and faecal exam will be done to determine what is the cause of the disease before it can be treated. Cockatiel can live to 25 years in captivity so i do not believe old age is to blame yet.

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