If a cockatoo is displaying slick feathers, standing tall, and has wide-open eyes and a slightly open beak, he is showing which FAS level?

The observation of a cockatoo displaying slick feathers, standing tall, wide-open eyes, and a slightly open beak indicates that the bird is experiencing a mild level of fear or anxiety. In the Fear Free Assessment and Scoring (FAS) system, these physical signs correlate with Level 1, which is characterized by the bird being alert and attentive but not displaying extreme stress or aggression.

Slick feathers often suggest that the bird is trying to appear smaller or more refined in a stressful situation, while standing tall can indicate that the bird is on high alert. The wide-open eyes and slightly open beak reflect heightened vigilance or mild agitation. Since the behavior observed does not suggest signs of severe distress, such as fluffed feathers or aggressive postures, it effectively identifies the bird's state as one of mild anxiety rather than a greater level of fear characterized by more intense physical manifestations.