Why won't my baby cockatiel eat or drink? Food around its mouth.

Thanks for reaching out again .If not used to hand feeding, they will rarely take it at this age. If different from the food offered at the pet store, contact the store for the same food. Provide heat support in the 80-85 f range can give some comfort. Good luck.

It is possible your bird is eating and drinking while you aren't watching. He may be nervous in his new environment and feel uncomfortable eating while you are around. Be sure he is in a quiet environment where he can be left alone for periods to adjust to his new life. I would also try to find out what food he was eating before he came and get that exact food as some birds are very particular and don't like change/will refuse to eat new foods.

Sounds like a probable crop burn. Crop burns can lead to secondary bacterial and yeast infections and/or a fistula. Sometimes these are very serious complications to the point where surgery needs to be done to remove the burned tissue. You will probably have to tube feed the bird by directly passing a soft red rubber catheter into the proventriculus and deposit the food there. He should be on antibiotics due to the high chance of infection. I suggest you consult with your local vet regarding this issue. There is not much more we can tell you over the internet. Best wishes.

It is common for young birds to lose their feeding response as they become weak, and this may be what is happening with Toni. It is more energy taxing to move the neck/head than it is to chirp. The line that you are seeing is part of the organs in the belly. If you look closely, you can see a number of organs. This is because their skin is so thin that you can see through it. I would recommend having Toni evaluated by a veterinarian. They can perform an examination on Toni to ensure there are no obvious abnormalities, and may provide some supportive care for him. Additionally, I am not sure what you are formula you are feeding, how much, and how often - these are all important items as we need to make sure Toni is getting enough calories to grow and thrive. Your veterinarian can help to guide you with these items based on the cockatiel's weight. The crop is small in the pictures that you sent, but I am not sure how long ago you had fed before taking the picture so this may be appropriate. Please ensure that Toni is being kept warm as well - ideally he would have an area that is 90-100F. Monitor the area with a digital thermometer to ensure it is not getting too hot or too cold. Without proper temperatures, Toni won't be able to digest his food well. I hope this gives you a place to start, and good luck!

If you attached photos, they didn't go through with the question, so I can't see them! You are welcome to ask again with photos attached. If Buddy is of the age where you can start weaning her, you may want to start offering regular food in addition to syringe feedings to see if she is interested. If she seems very ill, becomes lethargic, or won't eat anything offered to her at all, seeking veterinary care to rule out any health issues is a good idea.

If the problem keeps returning even with adjustments to his feeding schedule, it could indicate an underlying issues such as an illness, physical or genetic deformity, or some other cause of failing to thrive. It would be best to have him examined by a local avian vet to rule out any serious issues that could be causing his problem and to help monitor his growth as he is being raised.

First time and young parents may not know what to do with a baby and may need assistance from you. It may also be that she is still focused on the unhatched eggs instead of the baby. Purchasing a syringe and some baby bird formula (most pet stores will carry this) is best. The formula should have instructions for how much to feed and how often depending on your bird's size, age and breed, however most baby birds will need to be fed frequently. You can check how full they are by looking at the crop, which is a sort of "balloon" just under the chin that is usually more visible before their feathers come in-- when full, it will fill up, and when hungry it will be empty. If the baby doesn't seem to be getting fed enough, stepping in with supplementation can help. If the mother and father are picking on the baby heavily, or kicking it out of the nest completely, you may need to move him to a separate cage that is kept warm with a nest and heat lamp, and provide all feedings yourself.