My canary is quiet, less active, and puffs feathers. Is it sick?

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.

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.

It's possible something may have startled your bird and is causing the wary behavior you are seeing, however if she is puffed up or refusing to eat/drink then that can indicate a potential illness. If you see other signs such as changes to the stool, or listless behavior those can also indicate illness and should be checked out by a vet. Otherwise, giving her a little space and leaving food and water where she can easily access it may help her calm down some and return to normal behavior.

Thanks for reaching out about Yes and including photos. Birds fluffed their feathers to provide more insulation, whether cold or ill. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some comfort. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and help determine why he is acting ill. Monitor for food and water intake, might have to be separated from other bird to determine. Good luck.

This can be normal behavior, especially during a moult or season change. If he's kept indoors, adding in a UV lamp on or near his enclosure and having it set to an on/off day/night cycle may help him perk up a little and remain more active in the winter months. However, it is very normal for birds to be less active as daylight shortens. If he does develop any signs of illness, such as refusing to eat, watery stools, completely listless and fluffed all the time, etc, then going forward with additional vet care is always best.

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.

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.