My pet bird is lethargic and sleeping with its head down. Is it sick?

It could be that is just how your parrot fell asleep, which can be normal. If he is showing any signs of illness while awake, such as a head tilt then, refusal to eat, listless behavior, etc, then this is cause for concern and should be checked out by a vet.

If your lovebird is suddenly very lethargic, you should have her seen by a vet. She might have an infection or other illness that needs treating. Birds are good at hiding illness, so once they look sick,they are often so much sicker than you think. Please get her seen by a vet to figure out what might be going on.

Thanks for reaching out about Kiwi. A damage flight feather should not alter flight significantly, as they can fly when they molt. Lethargy and sleeping during the day (to conserve energy) are clinical signs of being sick, the question is why. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some support. Monitor fecal production by a total cage clean-out. Sick birds often act like they're eating but aren't. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Multiple possibilities include ingestion of foreign material (metal, fabric, wood, etc.), metabolic concerns (liver, renal), infections (viral, bacterial) and others. Good luck.

Hi, if Sky is otherwise doing well, eating and defecating normally, active and alert, then I wouldn’t be concerned. Some birds sleep with their head tucked under a wing or in some other similar position. Sky’s neck is bent more in the pictures than what is typical for a parakeet, but it could just be normal for him. However, if you notice any changes or if his neck doesn’t straighten out and remains bent when not sleeping, then this would definitely not be normal and should be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Thank you for your question, and thank you for being concerned about this bird. It is very kind of you. I am wondering, if you haven't brought it to the attention of the pet store staff, I would recommend starting there. I would agree that I don't think that it is a great idea to bring a sick bird home with you, especially into a situation that can be stressful for some birds (even if a dog is very nice, they can be very scary to a bird of this size). And with non-specific signs of abnormal droppings and sleeping a lot, there are numerous things that could be going on. I would recommend bringing the bird's state to the attention of the pet store, and hopefully they will have it evaluated. There are many pet stores who work directly with veterinarians to treat the animals that reside at their stores, and when the animals are feeling better, they can then go to a new home. I hope that gives you a place to start, and I hope that you are able to help this little bird feel better!

Unfortunately, without an in-person exam, it would be impossible to say. Birds are extremely good at hiding illnesses, and by the time they do show symptoms, it's usually pretty serious. I would try to schedule an appointment with a vet that can see birds ASAP. In the meantime, keeping your bird in a separated hospital cage with low perches, plenty of food and water, and kept warm can help make them comfortable and may help.

Many birds, including budgies, will sleep with their heads nestled down over their backs and between their wings, especially at night. This is perfectly normal behavior. However, a bird that isn't feeling well will spend more time with its heads nestled down into its feathers and less time engaging in preening, eating, playing, and other normal activities. A sick bird may also stop vocalizing, sit puffed or fluffed up, sneeze or have discharge from their nares, have loose stools, have stools caked around the vent, and/or pick at its food or not eat at all. So, if your bird seems listless or is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, seek veterinary attention right away.