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Why is my parakeet's tail bobbing and cere dry? Is it vitamin A?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

I bought 2 parakeets 2 months ago and recently I have noticed their tail bobbing. I have also noticed my female parakeet’s cere is dry. Is this happening because they are lacking in vitamin A? If so, how can I make make them eat vegetables? I have tried and they just won’t eat vegetables.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on September 5th, 2018

The tail bobbing may also be indicative or respiratory distress or infection. This can be bacterial, fungal, viral or parasitic in nature.
The condition of the cere can be due to mites, malnutrition or simply low humidity. Ideally, they should both be examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian to diagnose and treat the underlying condition.
Offer a balanced diet including commercial pellets ( Roudybush, Lafeber, Pretty Bird, Exact or Harrison's), a small amount of a fortified seed mix, fresh greens and vegetables and cooked grains, cooked beans and plain pastas. They can even eat a bit of scrambled eggs (shells included).
You can get them to eat greens and vegetables by offering them in small amounts. Offer a variety since they do have preferences, but offer one at a time. If they are tame, you can offer food from your plate. Seeing you eat may interest them.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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