My budgie is puffed up, not eating, and lethargic. Is it sick or cold?

Thanks for reaching out about Sunshine and including a photo. If after the 13 hours of posting, she is still lethargic, a veterinary visit is recommended. If she is cold, providing supplemental heat should improve attitude almost immediately. Birds are often fluffed when ill and conserve energy by being quiet.. 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.

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 Sunshine and including photos. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some aid but a veterinary visit is highly recommended, as soon as possible, to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Remove perches and place a soft towel on the bottom of the cage for comfort. Ensure that food and water are within reach. Veterinary care sooner than later, could improve prognosis. Good luck.

Make sure the ambient temperature is appropriate for your bird, not too hot and not too cold. I would also recommend you offer Jerry plenty of fresh food and water to keep him eating and well hydrated. Fluffing up and lethargy are signs of illness so your bird may be getting sick. As long as he is drinking/eating normally and passing normal droppings you should not need to worry. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of 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.

All you can do it home is keep the bird warm in a quiet environment. Encourage it to eat with tasty things. I would always recommend taking a ruffled lethargic bird to the vet as it is usually the first sign of illness such as respiratory infection. Birds need to be treated promptly to have success.