My budgie is quiet, fluffed, and has a brown cere. Should I see a vet?

Thanks for your question about Luna, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful. From what I can see on the photos, the feathers may not be growing in brown, but may be discolored brown. This is frequently from discharge from the nose that then gets crusted around the nostrils on the feathers. I would recommend taking Luna in to see a veterinarian, as this discharge is often related to an infection. They can evaluate Luna closely and determine if the brown coloration is on the feathers. They may recommend administering a course of antibiotics as well. Please do not give Luna any human medications, as many of them are harmful to birds. I hope that helps to answer your question, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Bobalina is probably ill, but i couldn't tell you what is wrong based on this very general symptom, you will need to take her to an avian vet where a blood test and faecal exam will be done to determine what is the cause of the disease before it can be treated.

Given his age, he should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian. His symptoms have multiple causes and may require diagnostics to determine the underlying cause. In the meantime, keep him warm and as stress free as possible until he sees the doctor.

Firstly, are you sure he is male? If he is young and the cere was a lighter color, he may be female and is now coming in to reproductive age which has caused the cere to become darker brown. If he is definitely male, then yes, this change is usually due to a testicular tumor - since the testicles are inside the body you cannot really check this. If you are worried you need to take him to an avian vet and have some blood testing done to check the hormone levels. There is nothing you can do for diagnosis at home. Be sure to take him to a vet that is used to treating birds. I'm glad he is seemingly fine now but that could change quickly as birds often hide how sick they are until they are very sick. Nutrition is important but an all/mostly seed diet usually causes other issues like fatty liver. You need to speak to the vet about how to get him changed over to a pelleted diet like Harrison's. Here is a link to their website. ( https://www.harrisonsbirdfoods.com ) Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for reaching out about Eclipse. By the picture, she appears hunched in posture, feathers fluffed and weak. These are common clinical signs of general illness. The runny stool is more likely more urine and lack of feces, due to not eating well. It is recommended you seek an visit with an avian veterinarian. Providing heat support in the mean time is often helpful. Good luck.

Symptoms of illness or injury may include lethargy, decreased appetite, loose or discolored droppings, perching low with feathers fluffed out and eyes closed, vomiting or discharge from the eyes, nose or beak. If you think Luna may be ill, have her examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet as soon as you can. Birds are quite adept at concealing illness, so by the time they are symptomatic, they are already very ill.

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.