My new bird is trembling a lot. Is it normal or a health concern?

Sky might be feeling a bit cold or nervous from the change to a new home. Making sure his cage is kept in an area that is free of drafts and not too warm or cold can help, as well as making sure it's not in an area that is super busy or noisy. Give him a few days to settle down in his new home- you can observe and offer him some treats in the cage itself, but waiting a bit to handle him until he's had a change to settle in may help.

Congratulations on your new pet, and thanks for your question! I would recommend ensuring that the area where Oliver is located in does not have any drafts. This includes any air from vents that are in the house. Birds can be very sensitive to temperature changes, so this will be something to evaluate closely in your house. Other things that can make Oliver tremor would be if he is nervous, as you suggested, or if he doesn't feel well. Things you can do to make him feel comfortable include providing him with a quiet area for his cage, and if he is alone, a mirror. I would recommend having him evaluated by a veterinarian as well. This is important for any new pet, and birds are no exception. Your veterinarian can perform a thorough examination and can also provide further recommendations for husbandry and diet for Oliver. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

It could be stress or excitement from the new environment, handling or a combination. If she is bobbing her tail excessively while breathing, this can indicate potential illness. Monitor for lethargy, decreased appetite or loose droppings. Give her a few days to acclimate and if the behavior persists, have her examined by your veterinarian. Have her examined sooner if she develops any of the above symptoms.

If your baby bird doesn't have all his feathers in yet, he could still be having a hard time regulating temperature. Feeding food that is chilled or too cold may cause his temperature to decrease some, causing the shivering. Making sure the food is room temperature and that your baby bird is in a warm enough environment can help. However, if the shivering continues or if you see any other signs of illness it is best to have it checked out by a vet.

Young birds will often sleep in the position described. The shaking could be due to chill. baby birds need to be kept warm until they are totally feathered. The loose droppings could be due to parasites or infection. It is unfortunate you were sold such a young chick. A reputable breeder or store will not sell a chick that is not weaned and eating on its own. Without more information, such as species, it is difficult to give more specific advice. You may need to hand feed the chick to supplement the diet if it won't eat. If you have never done this, contact an experienced vet or breeder to show you how it is done. An exam with an experienced avian veterinarian would be recommended anyway since the chick is a "new" pet. An exam may confirm good health or it may diagnose any pre-existing conditions which can then be treated appropriately.

Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do from home without veterinary care if she is already showing signs of illness. However there are some things that may help make her more comfortable to hopefully make it until your vet appointment. Keeping her in a small hospital cage that is kept warm can help with body temperature regulation. Perches should be low to the ground or removed completely, and soft bedding placed at the bottom of the cage in case she falls. Having food and water (if she is still eating on her own) in shallow dishes she can get in and out of even if weak is best. If she's not eating or drinking, you may need to make a slurry of baby bird food and water and drop feed it to her to help keep her energy up. Otherwise, monitoring her and any changes in her symptoms can help when your vet is able to see her.

Thanks for reaching out about Peach. Shaking can be from many reasons. Being too cold is one, most parrots are comfortable in 80-85 degree weather. They shiver to create heat. Covering the cage will not generate any additional heat, so a heat lamp should be provided. Shaking can also result from being sick. A veterinary visit is needed to arrive at a diagnosis and treatment plan. Good luck.