We have a ten year old cockatiel who seems to be spending more time sitting on the bottom of her cage than she ever used to. Is this from getting older? She does come out on the perches and peeps and eats well. Is this normal as a bird gets older? Why do birds stay on the cage bottom except to sleep?? Thanks, Helen Ag.

Many different reasons for this ,

However first would need to know if you have made any changes at all to the bird

i.e. diet,
Routine
Moved the cage etc,

It could all have a sudden decided it wants to nest, I've had cockatiels breeding at the ripe age of 23 and produce chicks , although I would have thought they were all duds apparently I was wrong on this instance,
It may also have damaged its foot or legs or it may have had a fright which has stopped it perching on the perch

I'm not sure why all of a sudden the bird wanted to stop perching so I'm assuming their has been something to change its habbits ,
Hope you can find the answer as to why it is now sleeping on the floor
Regards
Katie