How to Tell if Your Pet Budgie is Sick (Plus, How to Care for It)

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Spotting symptoms of illness in your parakeet

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Behavioral Signs

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Physical Signs

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Caring for a Sick Budgie

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Expert Q&A

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Warnings

You can expect your pet budgie or parakeet to live 12 to 14 years with good care. However, even with the best care, your bird may become ill. Since budgies are prey animals in the wild, they may hide signs of their illness. This can make it difficult for you to tell if your pet budgie is sick. Monitor for changes in behaviour and physical signs that may indicate a problem. If you're concerned your budgie might be sick, take it to an avian vet as soon as possible.

Things You Should Know

Offer toys or treats to your budgie. If a normally frisky or curious budgie doesn't react to stimulation, it may be ill.
Look for ragged or greasy feathers, which might be signs that your budgie isn't well enough to preen itself properly.
Check your budgie's droppings for loose or runny consistency, or lumpy, undigested food, which may indicate a digestive problem or other sickness.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Observing Your Bird's Behaviour

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1
Try to play with your budgie. If your budgie doesn't seem interested in any of its toys and isn't interested in playing with you, this could be a sign that your bird isn't feeling its best – especially if it's normally active and playful.^{[1]XExpert SourceHayley Heartfield
Bird SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 June 2021.}^{[2]XResearch source}
- A budgie that's feeling under the weather may seem sluggish or lacking in energy, even if it does make an effort to respond to you or play with you.
- If your budgie bites you when you stick out your finger or attempt to play with it, this is another sign that it might be sick. Budgies don't usually bite, but if they are sick they may bite because they are scared or in pain.^{[3]XResearch source}
Tip: If you have other budgies in the same cage, watch how the budgie you think might be sick interacts with your other birds. Budgies are naturally social. If it is avoiding the other birds, that's another indication that it might not be feeling well.
2
Listen for changes in vocalization. Budgies are normally fairly talkative. However, changes in the way your bird normally vocalizes may signal that it's ill or stressed. Screaming or screeching may be a sign that your bird is in pain. On the other hand, if your budgie stops vocalizing as much as it normally did, that could also be a sign that your bird is ill.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Screaming or screeching may also be a sign that your bird is bored or unhappy for some other reason. Look at its environment for clues. If it hasn't had its favourite food in a while, or if it can't access its favourite toys, it may simply be upset or bored.
- If a non-vocal bird also seems lethargic, this is a strong sign that your bird is feeling sick.
Tip: Uncontrolled screeching is out of the norm for budgies. As prey animals, they typically would not draw unnecessary attention to themselves. If your bird is screeching, take it to the vet to at least eliminate any medical cause.
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3
Monitor your budgie's eating. If your budgie is sick, it likely won't eat. A decreased appetite is a common sign of a medical problem. If your budgie isn't eating, it will start to lose weight, which can cause additional health problems and put a lot of stress on your bird.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Distinguish eaten seed from edible seed in your bird's food dish. Hulls can be mistaken for whole seeds, so it may look like your bird has plenty of food when in fact it has none.^{[6]XResearch source}
4
See how long your budgie remains silent and motionless. A healthy budgie is seldom stationary when it is awake. If your bird sits still and quiet for long periods of time, this may be a sign that it isn't feeling well.^{[7]XExpert SourceHayley Heartfield
Bird SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 June 2021.}
- Because budgies are prey animals, if they're sick they instinctively avoid attracting attention. They know that predators will go after birds that are sick or weak. If your budgie is keeping to itself and trying to avoid attention, it likely isn't feeling well.
5
Check for changes in perching behaviour. Budgies are creatures of habit and may have a favourite perch that they like to use. They also tend to perch higher up in the cage. If your budgie is hanging out on the floor of the cage, it's likely ill.
- If you have several birds, one who is sick will typically want to isolate itself from the others. This often involves hiding on the ground where the other birds won't bother it.
6
Move well away from the cage to observe your bird. Because budgies are prey animals, they may try to act normal and disguise their true weaknesses if you're nearby and they know you're watching them.^{[8]XExpert SourceHayley Heartfield
Bird SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 June 2021.} This is a survival instinct because predators target weak prey. You may notice more strange behaviour if you put some distance between yourself and the birdcage, or sit where the bird won't be aware of your presence.^{[9]XResearch source}
- If you have a webcam or other video monitor, you might set that up with a view of the cage and watch from a distance that way. If you're in another room, the budgie won't have any idea that you're watching it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Identifying Physical Signs

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1
Notice how often your budgie puffs up its feathers. A healthy budgie will puff up its feathers to get warm or as a way to relax before going to sleep. However, if your budgie puffs up its feathers will awake and stays that way for a longer period of time, it may also be sick.^{[10]XResearch source}
- Check the ambient air temperature in and around the cage as well. The temperature should be between 60 and 70 °F (16 and 21 °C). If the cage is near a draft, it may be too cool for your budgie at certain times of day.
Tip: Even if the air temperature is appropriate for your budgie, you might try warming it up a bit just to see if your bird relaxes its feathers.
2
Look for poorly preened feathers. Look for feathers that are ragged or greasy looking. Since proper grooming of feathers is essential for a bird's survival in the wild, poor grooming is a strong sign that your budgie is sick.^{[11]XResearch source}
- If there are faces sticking to your budgie's vent feathers, that can also be a good sign that your bird is under the weather.
3
Check to see if your budgie is underweight. Provided your bird will let you touch it, feel for the bone that runs down the centre of its chest – known as the keel bone. If it sticks out like a razor, this indicates the bird is starving. If your bird is healthy, you should barely be able to even feel this bone when you run your finger down the bird's chest.^{[12]XResearch source}
- Significant weight loss can be dangerous to small birds like budgies, and indicates that your bird is in poor health.
4
Examine the colour and consistency of your budgie's droppings. Loose or runny droppings can be a sign that your budgie is sick.^{[13]XExpert SourceHayley Heartfield
Bird SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 June 2021.} Lumpy droppings with undigested food also signal that your budgie's digestive system isn't working properly.
- If the colour or consistency of your budgie's droppings has changed, take a sample with you to the vet for further analysis.
- If you have several birds, you may need to isolate the bird you think is sick so you can more easily determine which bird's droppings have changed.
5
Check if your budgie's nose (cere) is abnormally wet or crusted over. Your budgie's nose is just above the widest part of its bill. Normally, it should be dry and clear. If you notice discharge or wetness around the nose, or if dried moisture has crusted around it, that's a sign that your budgie has respiratory problems.^{[14]XExpert SourceHayley Heartfield
Bird SpecialistExpert Interview. 23 June 2021.}^{[15]XResearch source}
- Occasional sneezing is normal in budgies, just as it is in people. But if your budgie is sneezing consistently or its nose is always moist, your bird is probably sick.
6
Listen for rapid breathing. If your budgie is breathing rapidly out of its mouth, this may be an additional sign that its nose is clogged up and it's having difficulty breathing. A budgie that is breathing out of its mouth typically sits puffed up with its beak partially open.^{[16]XResearch source}
- If your budgie is bobbing its tail up and down as it breathes, this is another sign that it's having difficulty breathing.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Caring for a Sick Budgie

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1
Take your budgie to an avian vet as soon as you notice signs of illness. Budgies frequently hide symptoms that they're sick, especially in the beginning stages of an illness. By the time the signs are obvious enough for you to notice, your bird may be extremely ill.^{[17]XResearch source}
- Budgies tend to go downhill very quickly. Consider any sign of illness to be a medical emergency.
Tip: Your bird will have a much greater chance of recovery if you take it to the vet as soon as possible after you notice signs of sickness, rather than waiting or trying to care for it on your own.
2
Quarantine your sick budgie from other birds. If you have several birds, separate the sick one as soon as possible so the sickness doesn't spread to the others. Even if you only have one budgie, it's a good idea to move it to a smaller cage so it can recover from the illness.^{[18]XResearch source}
- Thoroughly clean the cage and replace all food and water before allowing any of your birds back. This helps prevent the spread of disease.
- Watch your other birds carefully to make sure none of them caught the illness from your sick budgie.
3
Place your budgie's cage in a warm, quiet spot while it recovers. While budgies are normally fine in ambient temperatures of between 60 and 70 °F (16 and 21 °C), a sick budgie needs a little more warmth. Unless your budgie is running a fever, keep its cage in a small room with a temperature of up to 90 °F (32 °C).^{[19]XResearch source}
- You can use a heating pad under the cage or heat lamps to increase the temperature in the cage. If you use heat lamps, don't leave them on at night.
Tip: A cold budgie will fluff up its feathers. A budgie that's running a fever will raise its wings away from its body and may also pant.
4
Expose the recovery cage to natural sunlight. Sunlight provides your bird with vital vitamin D, which can improve its mood and hasten its recovery. Expose your sick bird to as much as 8 hours of direct sunlight a day.^{[20]XResearch source}
- If you live in an area where you don't get much natural sunlight, try full-spectrum lamps to provide your sick budgie with the UVA and UVB rays it needs.
5
Reduce stress on the bird as much as possible while it recovers. Place the cage out of the way, where the sick bird won't be disturbed by people or other pets. Keep a cover over one side of the cage, lowering it over the entire cage at night.^{[21]XResearch source}
- A sick bird should get at least 12 hours of sleep each day. Limit handling of the bird and make sure the bird's sleep is not interrupted.
- Don't put any toys or other distractions in your budgie's recovery cage. These items may keep the bird from sleeping or encourage it to be active.
- If you have perches in the recovery cage, they should be low enough that your budgie won't be injured if it falls off.

Expert Q&A

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Question
What does sick bird poop look like?
Hayley Heartfield
Bird Specialist
Hayley Heartfield is a Bird Specialist and the Owner of About Birds, a Pet Bird Shop in Montgomery County, Texas. Hayley specializes in pet bird care, behavior, training, and breeding. Hayley studied Animal Science at Texas A&M. About Birds carries many species of birds and offers grooming and boarding services as well as bird care products.
Hayley Heartfield
Bird Specialist
Expert Answer
Poop from a sick bird may have a different consistency or color than it usually does.
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Question
How do birds act when they are sick?
Hayley Heartfield
Bird Specialist
Hayley Heartfield is a Bird Specialist and the Owner of About Birds, a Pet Bird Shop in Montgomery County, Texas. Hayley specializes in pet bird care, behavior, training, and breeding. Hayley studied Animal Science at Texas A&M. About Birds carries many species of birds and offers grooming and boarding services as well as bird care products.
Hayley Heartfield
Bird Specialist
Expert Answer
Birds are prey animals and don't typically show signs of illness. In general, be on the watch for lethargic behavior, eye discharge, nose discharge, or anything else out of the ordinary for your bird.
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My budgie is fluffing himself up and closing his eyes. My mother cannot afford a vet. What do I do?
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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
How.com.vn Staff Editor
Staff Answer
If your budgie has fluffed up wings and closes his eyes during the day, while it's not sleeping, it is very likely to be sick. If your mother cannot afford a vet, find out if someone would be willing to take a look at your bird for free, or for a reduced rate. You can ask the vet you normally use if they have any recommendations. If you live near a veterinary school, you may be able to take your bird to a student clinic.
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Tips

Some behavioral abnormalities may be a sign that your budgie is overly stressed – particularly if the veterinarian doesn't identify any specific illness. If you've recently made changes to your budgie's environment, your bird will typically return to normal if you put things back the way they were. ^{[22]XResearch source}
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Look for signs of illness every day, even if your budgie seems perfectly healthy. This will enable you to get out in front of the illness as much as possible if your budgie does get sick.^{[23]XResearch source}
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Warnings

If you see any sign of blood or bleeding, either on your budgie or in the cage, do what you can to find the source of the bleeding and stop it immediately. You can usually use corn starch to stop bleeding unless the wound is severe. Once you've done what you can to stop the bleeding, take your budgie to the vet as soon as possible.^{[24]XResearch source}
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