Q&A for How to See if Your Pet Budgie Is Sick

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What does sick bird poop look like?

Hayley Heartfield
Bird Specialist
Hayley Heartfield is a Bird Specialist and the Owner of About Birds, a Pet Bird Shop in Montgomery County, Texas. Hayley specializes in pet bird care, behavior, training, and breeding. Hayley studied Animal Science at Texas A&M. About Birds carries many species of birds and offers grooming and boarding services as well as bird care products.

Hayley Heartfield

Bird Specialist

Expert Answer

Poop from a sick bird may have a different consistency or color than it usually does.

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How do birds act when they are sick?

Hayley Heartfield
Bird Specialist
Hayley Heartfield is a Bird Specialist and the Owner of About Birds, a Pet Bird Shop in Montgomery County, Texas. Hayley specializes in pet bird care, behavior, training, and breeding. Hayley studied Animal Science at Texas A&M. About Birds carries many species of birds and offers grooming and boarding services as well as bird care products.

Hayley Heartfield

Bird Specialist

Expert Answer

Birds are prey animals and don't typically show signs of illness. In general, be on the watch for lethargic behavior, eye discharge, nose discharge, or anything else out of the ordinary for your bird.

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My budgie is fluffing himself up and closing his eyes. My mother cannot afford a vet. What do I do?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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If your budgie has fluffed up wings and closes his eyes during the day, while it's not sleeping, it is very likely to be sick. If your mother cannot afford a vet, find out if someone would be willing to take a look at your bird for free, or for a reduced rate. You can ask the vet you normally use if they have any recommendations. If you live near a veterinary school, you may be able to take your bird to a student clinic.

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If my budgie bobs her tail and fluffs her feathers more than usual, could she be sick? She hasn't been drinking very much.

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Tail bobbing and feather fluffing are signs that your bird is cold and having difficulty breathing. If you're seeing these signs, it's likely that your bird is very ill. If you notice any symptoms of possible illness, consider it a medical emergency and take your bird to the vet as soon as possible.

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What should I do if my budgie seems to be losing feathers? Is he sick?

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It depends on the season and the age of your budgie. If you have a young bird, it may be producing adult plumage. Budgies also grow new feathers during molting season. If your bird is molting, it will likely drop feathers for 2 to 3 weeks. Budgies do this annually. Watch for bleeding, as birds that lose feathers may bleed as a result. If your bird is bleeding, do what you can to stop the bleeding and take it to the vet as soon as possible. Budgies cannot afford to lose very much blood.

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My budgie has a cold nose. Is that normal?

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As long as your budgie's nose is dry and clear, it's likely fine. If your budgie's nose is moist or crusted over, or if the bird sneezes frequently, it's likely ill.

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What does it mean if my Budgie salivates?

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Birds do salivate. However, if your Budgie is salivating excessively or drooling, this is specifically a symptom of a yeast infection (thrush). If not treated, the condition is potentially life-threatening. Take your Budgie to the vet as soon as possible for treatment. Thrush typically clears up with a 5-7 day antibiotic treatment.

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My budgie just suddenly went lame in the one claw and I put him on his perch and he collapsed and died - what could've caused this?

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A budgie that starts limping is typically very ill and in pain. Budgies hide signs of sickness as a defense against predators. By the time you notice any symptoms of illness, your bird is likely extremely ill. Limping or lameness could be a symptom of overgrown nails or a vitamin D deficiency. However, in most cases, this is an indication of an infection, nerve damage, or heavy metal toxicity.

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My budgie is about 1 month old. He's showing symptoms of respiratory problems and feathers poking above his ear. Is he okay?

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If your budgie is showing signs of respiratory problems, take him to an avian vet immediately. Budgies tend to hide signs of illness. By the time those signs are noticeable, your bird may be extremely sick.

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What do I do if my male and female budgies are fighting?

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You should put them in different cages and try to introduce them to each other a little bit at a time over several days. Put them on the same perch for about 5 minutes the first day, then 10 minutes the second, 15 the third, and so on.

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Is my budgie sick if it's losing feathers above the cere?

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Possibly. See your vet for advice.

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How can I get him to eat?

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Try and put a treat that he likes and see if he will at least eat the treat. If he doesn't, take him to the vet.

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My budgie is unable to perch properly, and she has never acted this way before. Is she pregnant?

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Your budgie might have a balance issue. If she is acting unusually, it is best to take her to the veterinarian for a health check up.

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Why has my budgie's cere changed color?

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If your budgie is still a baby, this is normal. Usually, females have a pink to brown nose, and males have a blue nose.

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My older budgie is always fluffed up and very cuddly. He sometimes sings and chirps but climbs to sleep on the floor of the cage at night. Is this a problem?

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It may just prefer to sleep there.

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My budgie is fluffed up and quiet. Could he be sick?

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This may mean different things. If you just got your budgie it means it is scared and not used to its environment, but after a few weeks it will start chirping. Otherwise, see your vet for advice.

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My budgie has dry nostrils. What does this indicate?

Community Answer

It is likely nothing to worry about. Your budgie is probably just going into breeding condition. This is especially common in female budgies.

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Can budgies see in the dark?

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No.

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My bird's wings keep shaking, and he is squinting as if tired. Is he sick?

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Your budgie may be sick and maybe he is scared of you. You should take him to the vet for a health checkup.

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My male budgie is very quiet and sleepy today. His tail is hanging, his nose is dry and he isn't eating or drinking water. What should I do?

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Take him to the vet immediately. He could be seriously ill.

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Is it normal for a budgie to have his feathers up very often?

Community Answer

If he shakes it off quickly and returns to normal behavior, then yes, this is very normal and just him sorting his feathers. If he stays fluffed up and hunched, you should contact an avian vet immediately.

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What if it is breathing differently?

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That may be because it is tired from physical activity. See your vet for advice.

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My budgie is very tired all the time. She wants to sleep all day. What's wrong?

Community Answer

If she is tired all the time and not showing any interest in doing anything, you should take her to the vet. If she is old and otherwise acting healthy, she may just be slowing down due to age. You should still take her to the vet just to make sure.

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What do I do if my parakeet is breathing through its mouth and seems to have a cold? Are there any home remedies?

Community Answer

Don't rely on "home remedies" when it comes to your pet's health. If you think your bird is sick, take it to the vet right away.

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My budgie seems to bleed from the tummy every day. With him preening, it does not get time to heal. What is the best way to approach this problem?

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The best thing to do is get him to a vet.

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Why does my budgie hang upside down? Does it mean my budgies sick if he's hanging upside down?

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Your budgie is probably just playing.

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Is something wrong if the small feathers falling off my budgie are green when they were white before?

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No, nothing is wrong. Birds' feathers can change colors as they age.

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My 16 week-old budgies don't seem to hull their seeds. Does this mean they are sick?

Community Answer

Not necessarily. Try smaller seeds. If nothing changes, take them to the vet.

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What does the budgie mean by shaking his head?

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He may be showing territorial behavior. If you are concerned, check with your vet. It is probably nothing serious.

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Is my budgie sick if it falls off its perch, chirps a lot and sleeps a lot?

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It may be having a balance problem. The chirping is normal, but I would check up with a vet.

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