My new parakeet is ruffled, not eating, wings quiver. Is he sick?

Unfortunately, loss of appetite and lethargy are both very vague, general signs of illness. Issues such as infections, parasites, illness, nutritional issues, etc can all be potential causes. It would be best to keep Kiwi in a warm hospital cage with easy access to food and water to help him remain comfortable, and to schedule a vet visit in person if his symptoms continue so that the causes can be narrowed down and treated.

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.

Hi, The changes you have described in Chuy are very conserning to me. Birds can become sick very quickly and tend to hide signs of illness. I’m worried that Chuy May have an infection or other serious illness that would cause him to be lethargic and not eat. I recommend you take Chuy to your veterinarian as soon as you can for an examination. They will be able to do any additional tests needed and start the appprorpate treatment. Good luck!

Hi! Tiki is adorable! Congratulations on your new pet. Birds are often fluffed when they don’t feel well but they can also be fluffed if they’re cold or tired. If he’s eating and acting fine, evaluate the temperature in the room and presence of any drafts. If he is quieter, or has any change in appetite, defecation or activity, see a veterinarian without delay as birds can become seriously ill quickly. Regardless, I would recommend taki Tiki to a veterinarian for a new pet exam. This will establish a relationship with a local vet, create a baseline of health data for Tiki, and give you the opportunity to ask any ther questions you may have about Tiki and his care. Good luck!

I would be concerned there is an issue such as an organ problem, underlying illness, or infection with the symptoms you are describing, especially if there hasn't been any change to Kiwi's diet or treats he is given. If the problem persists or has been ongoing for more than a few days, your best course of action would be to have him seen by a vet in person. Keeping him warm, eating and drinking, and removing any dirt or debris from the vent if there is any stuck may help him stay comfortable until the cause is figured out by your vet.

Nutritional deficiency, liver or kidney disease, intestinal parasites or bacterial, viral or fungal infection are all possibilities. An exam with your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian is strongly recommended to diagnose the exact illness or injury. The vet can administer supportive care if indicated. Offer a commercial pelleted diet moistened with warm water or a hand feeding formula to stimulate his appetite and get some nutrition into him. Keep him warm and as stress free as possible until he sees the veterinarian.

This is not specific to any one condition, but does indicate that she is not feeling well. It's good that she is still eating and drinking well, but they are usually very sick when they act like this. For these cases, I recommend they see a vet as soon as possible, because birds can quickly worsen in condition and have life-threatening complications. Until the cause of this is found, there is not much that can be done except keep her in a warm environment with plenty of food and water available. I know the answer is somewhat vague, but I hope that helps and Kiwi gets better soon.