My 13-year-old budgie is fluffed up, and his beak is dark. Is he sick?

Pronounced tail bobbing coupled with a bit of lethargy may indicate respiratory distress or illness. Ideally, Pepper should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet to diagnose and treat infection or injury. By the time birds begin to show any symptoms, they can be quite ill. In the meantime, keep him warm and as stress free as possible until he sees the doctor. Monitor for additional symptoms such as loose droppings or loss of appetite.

Thanks for reaching out about Cactus. Could he be nauseous, trying to regurgitate? Fluffed up is a general sign of illness. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some aid. If weak, remove perches and place a soft towel on the bottom of the cage for comfort. Ensure that food and water bowls are within reach. Heavy metal toxicity (lead, zinc), metabolic disorders, ingested foreign bodies and infections are all possible. You need to see your veterinarian, to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Sky and including photos. Birds are typically fluffed when cold or ill. A veterinary visit is recommended, sooner than later. Providing heat support can give some aid but is not a cure for illness. As a new bird, moving to a new home can be stressful for a young animal, and suppressing the immune system, allowing subclinical infections to manifest. Good luck.

In the second image, she definitely looks unthrifty and ill. Without a physical exam though, it is difficult to say for sure what is going on with her. If you can, transition from an all seed diet to a pelleted diet which is more balanced. Brands include Harrison's, Lafeber, Pretty Bird or KayTee Exact. You can still offer a small amount of a fortified seed mix as well as fresh fruits and vegetables to round out the diet.

Unfortunately, these symptoms point to illness. A visit to your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet would be recommended. Birds are quite adept at concealing illness, so by the time they are showing symptoms, they are already quite ill. For now, clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, toys and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Use paper towels on the bottom and change daily. Keep the cage away from strong drafts and keep your budgie warm and as stress free as possible until she sees the doctor.

Thanks for reaching out ab out Beau and including photos. Agree that if too cold with fluff feathers in an attempt to increase insulation. But they usually do not decrease eating, as calories needed to make heat. A darker green stool is often a sign of decreased appetite, increased white and clear urine is increased drinking. Millet is a poor diet as devoid of many vitamins and minerals and is basically the equivalence of potato chips. A wide variety of vegetables is needed, a plant based protein source (beans, legumes, tofu) and avian pellets are recommended. As he is likely ill, a veterinary visit is highly recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Provide heat support 24/7. Good luck.

Hi! Tiki is adorable! Congratulations on your new pet. Birds are often fluffed when they don’t feel well but they can also be fluffed if they’re cold or tired. If he’s eating and acting fine, evaluate the temperature in the room and presence of any drafts. If he is quieter, or has any change in appetite, defecation or activity, see a veterinarian without delay as birds can become seriously ill quickly. Regardless, I would recommend taki Tiki to a veterinarian for a new pet exam. This will establish a relationship with a local vet, create a baseline of health data for Tiki, and give you the opportunity to ask any ther questions you may have about Tiki and his care. Good luck!