My parrot eats a lot but seems underweight. Should I see a vet?

Weight loss in birds has multiple causes (parasites, poor diet, GI disorders, etc.). Ideally, your bird should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet to diagnose and treat any underlying medical causes. Blood work, x-rays and a fecal exam may be recommended.

Even if Rangu isn't having diarrhea, other issues such as GI upset, underlying illness, parasites, being full, or issues with the crop could all cause a bird to not eat as much. Extreme temperatures such as very hot or cold conditions may also cause a bird to not want to eat as much. If this has been ongoing for several days, or he is losing weight from it, seeking veterinary care is always best to rule out any more serious issues. In the meantime, keeping him in a place that isn't too cold or too hot with easy access to food and water may encourage him to eat. If he is still too young to eat on his own, monitoring his crop for emptying and feeding following the instructions on any baby bird formula can help ensure he's getting the right amount of food.

I would recommend getting a small scale (possibly a food scale) and weighing ZR every day for a week. IF he weight decreases but goes back up I would not be to concerned. IF you find his weight decreases over the week but he is still eating I would recommend taking him to the vet for blood work. weight loss could be a sign of illness in ZR. With his young age I really think it is most likely a normal change in weight due to growing and maturing

The best thing to offer your parrot is a diet that consists mainly of pellets (80%) and then fruits and veggies (15-20%). Less than 5% of his diet should be from “people food” because it will not give him the proper vitamins and minerals he needs. The good news is that Rangu is still very young and you should be able to adjust his dietary habits fairly easily. Try to refrain from feeding him any people food for the time being except for very small amount when training/working with him. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck!

Thanks for reaching out about Rangu. This depends on the type of bird. If we are discussing a parrot (lovebird to macaw), seeds are a poor diet, as is very hight in fat and low in vitamin/minerals. The diet should consist of a wide variety of vegetables, a proteins source such as beans/legumes, cooked carbohydrates as an energy source, and avian pellets. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Caisse. The best way is to acquire a small scale capable of measure accuracy to the gram. Measure and monitor weekly. You can also palpate body condition, especially pectoral mass (chest muscle) but this is subjective to your touch. You can always schedule a veterinary visit and a veterinarian can give guidance. Good luck.

Adult green cheeked conures (that's what Angel looks like) weigh between 60 and 80 grams. They average 70 grams. He seems to be on schedule in regards to weight. You can feel his breast for a pronounced keep (breast bone), if there isn't much muscle mass, he may be a bit thin. It is always recommended to have an experienced avian veterinarian examine a new bird. An exam can confirm good health or may diagnose pre-existing conditions. Beak growth can vary from bird to bird. Beak trimming isn't typically done unless the beak is overgrown. A young bird would not be expected to have an overgrown beak.