My bird's back toe points forward. Why can't it walk or perch?

Thanks for reaching out about your parakeet and including photos. The feet deformities are likely developmental problems but could also have an underlying viral etiology. Same for the feather loss. A veterinary visit could help with some diagnostics but keep this bird separated from other, if viral could be contagious. Good luck.

Ouch! Those feet should be checked out by a vet and some blood tests run to make sure there isn't a nutritional deficiency or other illness causing the foot problem. If your bird checks out OK, then it may be a genetic deformity that will be there for life. Birds that have trouble perching or getting around may do better with large, flat perches, or flat shelf-like platforms so they can rest their feet and move around without falling off. Food and water dishes with similar shaped platforms can also help make it easier for your bird to access.

Thanks for reaching out about Dhal and including photos. Vitamin D3 and calcium deficiencies could result in weakened bones and possible fractures/metabolic bone disease. Other considerations are enlarged internal organs (right testicle or kidney) placing pressure on the nerve going to the limb, and possible orthopedic problems. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan which should include radiographs. Fractures and luxations are painful and difficult to fix later, testicular or renal enlargement might be more responsive to treatments early on in the disease. Good luck.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Greenna! I can definitely see how her foot is bent inwards, with the claw somewhat contracted. This can be caused by many conditions, but unfortunately, she needs to be seen by vet to figure out what is going on and get some treatment options. This can be caused by nerve damage, a fracture, or a systemic infection, among several other conditions. I hope this helps!

Based on the one picture and the age of the bird, it looks like hyperkeratosis of the feet potentially from vitamin a deficiency. I would have the bird looked at by an avian veterinarian. Bring in a fresh fecal sample and expect to have some blood drawn and sent out for analysis. This would be a good place to start.

Be sure that Rio's toenails are not overgrown as this can cause abnormalities when standing or perching. Also make sure he has several purchases of different varying diameters and textures in his cage to help encourage proper grip and strength. It's hard to say if what you're describing is abnormal or just a normal variation. If you would like to repost your question again with pictures that may give us a little bit more information to help.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I can see that Baby is missing a toe nail and that the toe is swollen. There is a little bit of caked on feces, but the toe itself is swollen. It is also concerning that the nail has come off and that the toe itself is somewhat gray, as this can be a sign of necrosis, or tissue death. This may have been caused by increased pressure on the foot, so you should definitely try to keep a variety of perches in the cage. This may have been due to trauma from Baby's previous environment, so you should keep a close eye on the area, and have her seen by a vet if the gray color begins to spread. I hope all is well!