Why does my canary fluff up and stand on one leg when resting?

Feather fluffing by itself doesn't really mean much, as birds will fluff to either relax or even before they groom themselves. However, if she is constantly fluffed, or very quiet and inactive, it can be a vague sign of illness. Sudden behavioral changes from the normal can also be an indicator of illness. I would keep an eye on her, and if she shows any other symptoms such as not wanting to eat or drink, weight changes, constant listless behavior, or doesn't return to her "norm", having a vet take a look is best.

This actually sounds like normal behavior when they get tired and start to go to sleep. When they sleep they always stand on one leg and their head is usually tucked into the wing. If he's otherwise eating, drinking and acting like a bird, then I would not worry. I hope that helps.

Thanks for your question about Hazlet, and thank you for the photos - they are very helpful. You are correct in that Hazlet is more fluffed than a normal canary should be. You are also correct that this can be a sign of illness (it is part of what we call the "sick bird posture" - this also includes sitting low on the perches or sitting on the ground, closing the eyes, tucking the head, faster breathing). It can also be a sign of stress, or being cold as well. I would recommend that you evaluate where the cage is located - is it near a window, near an outside wall, or near a door? Is the temperature in your house 70F or below - if so, I would recommend increasing the temperature. Now that it has been two days since you posted (I apologize for the delay, by the way), if this has continued and the temperatures and cage location are appropriate, it may be time for a veterinary visit. Often it can take a few days for a bird to get comfortable in their new environment, but if it is still going on now, I would recommend taking him in to see a veterinarian. They can perform a physical examination, and depending on the findings, may have treatment recommendations for you. They can also evaluate the husbandry/care/diet for Hazlet and may make recommendations that are tailored to you and to him. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

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.

That's a lot of changes at once for Dodo, and it's possible he could be a bit stressed out. Making sure Dodo has his own access to food, water, and perching spaces may help reduce stress. Birds do have periods of downtime during the day where they may nap, and they can do so as a group, so it may be you're noticing they're taking a collective nap, however after a bit they should return to normal activity. If anyone is constantly puffed, not eating or drinking, or otherwise appearing ill, removing them to a separate hospital cage, and keeping it warm and with access to food and water may help, in addition to seeking veterinary care.

That is how cockatiels normally sleep. They will also rest on one leg. There is no cause for concern at this positioning. A bird's body temperature is a bit higher than human body temp thus they will always feel warm to us. Monitor for lethargy, sitting with a wide stance and feathers fluffed out, decreased appetite or very loose droppings. These are all symptoms of illness.

If the feather fluffing is only at night and the second bird is otherwise healthy, eating, and active I would not be too concerned, and adding a cage cover at night to keep the birds warm may help. However if it is fluffed up all the time, eating less, or showing other signs of illness, then I would schedule a vet visit and move the affected bird to a warm hospital cage to help it rest and rule out any more serious issues. The cage you have for both birds is also extremely small, so I would recommend placing them in a much larger cage that they can easily move around and stretch it and with some added toys to prevent stress and boredom.