Cockatiel's voice pitch has changed- help?!

[Eric&Rebecca]

Hi,

Our tiel has started making all his usual sounds/songs and some new ones in a much higher pitch than usual. He is still making some of his normal pitch sounds but is frequently this new higher pitch. I'm not sure if this is relevant but he has also started to reach sexual maturity and is mid-way through his first molt. We've noticed he has started masturbating on his toys or sometimes on us...

We read in other places that this is a sign of illness a change or loss in voice. He is not showing any other signs of illness at all, he is eating well and is very active. My partner examined him and check for any discharge in his nose and we listened to his breathing and there was no problems that we could hear or see. He's not puffing up, apart from his usual to preen and get rid of his molting feathers and his eyes are bright and he's not lethargic or crouching over his feet. He hasn't shown any signs of being unable to breathe or a blockage- he empties his crop doing his yawning before bed and that's about it. There has been no regurgitation or attempts to vomit and his droppings are normal.

Is this change in pitch normal- for example he has discovered he can make a new pitch and is practicing with it? Is it something that comes with sexual maturity? Or is this something we should be concerned about?

We didn't want to take him to the vet unnecessarily as it is very cold and the avian vet is quite a way so we were frightened of him catching a cold and making him sick when he wasn't sick to start with.

Please help...

[dj ven]

Many times tiels change the way they sing or hear something different and try to do it. Making different sounds isn't a problem on its own but if he cannot sing or something like that then you should worry. Since his behaviour is fine, i don't see any reason to worry but when the weather will be better it may be a good idea to take him to an avian. Regarding masturbating i think you should discourage him to do it, because he could get an infection. One of me tiels Nana used to do it, but she stopped.
some males change songs and try different sounds when they mature. It would be agood idea as well to talk to a vet and get his/her opinion too.

[dj ven]

It is also possible to scream if he is in pain or something like that, so keep an eye on him.

[Eric&Rebecca]

Hi guys,

Turns out he was fine he was just experimenting with his singing techniques! Thanks for your help!

[dj ven]

He was in my mind, I'm glad everything is fine, thank you for updating.