My budgie's legs feel hot and he's lethargic. Is he sick or injured?

Inability to perch and balance are very concerning signs, and seeking vet care is needed to find the problem. Even if the vets in your area do not specialize in birds, seeing if one can still take a look is best. Injury to the legs, illness, malnutrition, stroke and a myriad of other issues can cause balance and perching issues, and they require medical care in person to treat. At home you can try to offer low, flat perches and food and water in shallow dishes that are easy to get in and out of, however seeking veterinary care in person is needed to get Bluey feeling better.

Thanks for reaching out about Pablo. This could either be a leg injury (fracture, luxation, neurologic) or an enlarged organ (kidney, testicle) placing pressure on nerve to that leg. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. For now, remove perches and place a thick towel on the bottom of the cage on which to stand. Place food and water within reach. Good luck.

It is best to move Robin to a separate hospital cage to allow the foot to begin to heal without being picked on by other birds. Providing low, flat perches or no perches at all along with shallow easy to access food and water dishes may help. If there is a visible wound or break, treating the wound or seeking veterinary care to have any broken legs treated is best. If the swelling continues, worsens, or other symptoms of illness appear, seeking vet help ASAP is needed.

Thanks for reaching out about Lemon and including photos. First, try offering some heat support with the goal of the 80-85 F range. A change in routine can be stressful, so trying spending more time with them, for observation and company. If they continue to be lethargic, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Good luck.

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.

It's possible one or both birds may be ill, especially if they are not acting normal and seem very lethargic. Keeping them warm and eating and drinking can help, but it is best to bring them to your vet so they can be examined and any more serious issues such as illness or injury ruled out. If one seems very ill or injured, separating the two birds into hospital cages can help until you can get into your vet.

Birds can hold their wings away from the body if they are warm, but it can also happen if they are having trouble breathing or are in pain. Since the other bird in your picture doesn't seem puffed up/panting as if it were warm, it may indicate that Totto isn't feeling well. If she shows any other signs of illness (loss of appetite, strange stools, lethargy), is having trouble breathing/panting heavily, or doesn't perk back up after a day it is best to seek veterinary care ASAP. Since you mentioned you aren't there daily, it is best to see if a worker at the retirement home can monitor her for changes/improvements. She may need to be separated from her cage mate while she recovers as well.