How to Tell when a Parakeet Is Sick

If you're new to owning a parakeet, you might not know what signs there are when the bird is not feeling well. Since birds can deteriorate rapidly if not tended to when sick, it's important to know the indications of a sick bird, so that you can respond quickly.

Part 1

Part 1 of 5:

Damaging its feathers

Download Article

1
Be aware that a parakeet can damage its feathers for a number of reasons. The damage can occur over time or within just a few hours, depending on the cause. Some possible reasons for feather damaging include:^{[1]XResearch sourceMattie Sue Athan, <i>Parrots</i>}^{[2]XResearch source}
- Boredom. If the bird doesn't feel mentally stimulated, it will grow bored. Picking at its feathers is a form of distracting itself, much as when a human bites at their fingernails out of boredom or frustration.
- Diet. If the bird isn't getting a nutrient-balanced diet, it may resort to feather plucking.
- Stress. A person, pet or habitat could be provoking the bird to feel stressed. Lack of exercise, overly large or small perches, noisy or busy cage location, lack of chewing toys, lack of exercise, etc., can lead to the bird being stressed. You should move the bird to a calm, quiet and low-traffic room.
- Illness. A medical condition or disease can cause feather plucking or loss such as French Moult.
2
Look for signs of mites. If the feathers are patchy or thin, it may be one sign of mites. Look for other symptoms of mites or other parasites as well. These can include:^{[3]XResearch source}
- Crusted or scaly skin around the beak, legs, and eyes.
- Red lesions on the skin.
- Restless behavior, especially at night.
- Clicking noises.
- Tiny, moving red or black specks in the cage or feathers.
Advertisement
It is important to rule out an illness before assuming the feather-plucking behavior is caused by boredom, diet or stress. Moreover, unless you are an expert, it can be difficult to diagnose a bird's illness.

Part 2

Part 2 of 5:

Behavioral changes

Download Article

A failure to eat food or drink water is a very concerning sign, and the bird should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.^{[1]XResearch sourceMattie Sue Athan, <i>Parrots</i>}
2
If your parakeet is lethargic, and won't respond to you calling or offering food, this is a sign of sickness. This may be accompanied by huddling low on its perch, puffing up the feathers or breathing heavily. In addition, the bird may show some of these signs:^{[2]XResearch source}^{[4]XResearch source}^{[5]XResearch source}
- Weakness
- Sitting in a corner of the cage or low in the cage
- Falling off its perch
- Continuous feather ruffling
- Failure to preen itself
- A lack of activity or a strange new posture
- Walking in circles
- Having seizures or trembling
- Sleeping a lot
- Changes to its singing, or a lack of singing
- Hanging from the cage by its beak rather than perching.
A normally placid and happy parakeet may suddenly start to snap at you or behave aggressively if it feels pain or is ill.^{[5]XResearch source}

Part 3

Part 3 of 5:

Too hot or too cold

Download Article

1
If the weather or room environment is hot, there is a possibility that the parakeet is too hot. Birds cannot sweat and must use other ways to dissipate heat from their bodies.^{[2]XResearch source} Signs that your parakeet may be too warm include:^{[2]XResearch source}
- Panting (rapid breathing or more breaths per minute than usual)––this is a very serious sign of overheating that needs immediate veterinary attention, first by phone, then by a visit
- Spreading its wings out
- Hot feet
- Flared and red nares (nasal opening)
- Hot beak
- Note that these symptoms can also be found if the bird has a fever or respiratory distress, so it's important to seek help from the vet immediately.
2
If the weather or room environment is cold, there is a possibility that the parakeet is too cold. Signs that your parakeet may be too cold include:^{[2]XResearch source}
- Fluffing out its feathers
- Huddling or scrunching over its feet (to keep them warm)
- Sitting in a corner or finding a hiding spot (possibly to get away from a draft).

Part 4

Part 4 of 5:

Other signs

Download Article

1
Check the bird's droppings. Bird droppings consist of a dark solid portion called feces, chalky white urates, and clear urine. Normal droppings should not smell. Any change in color, consistency, or smell is a sign that something may be wrong.^{[6]XResearch source}
- If there is a bad odor in the cage, either from urine, droppings or another source, assume that the bird is not well.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Green or yellow discoloration may indicate liver disease while black or red may be a sign of internal bleeding.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Liquid feces usually indicate diarrhea. Wet feathers around the vent are another sign of diarrhea.
If you see discharge from the nostrils, or crusted areas, the bird is ill.^{[2]XResearch source}
^{[2]XResearch source}
This usually signals illness. If regurgitating the budgie may shake its head side to side and expel whole seeds. If vomiting the head will appear wet and may include mucous and seed.^{[2]XResearch source}
If they look sunken, droopy, cloudy or have changed color, these are signs of poor health or an illness. A healthy parakeet will have clear and alert eyes.^{[2]XResearch source}

Part 5

Part 5 of 5:

Home care for a sick parakeet

Download Article

Use your usual bird-experienced vet to diagnose and treat the bird's illness. You can find an avian vet by using the Association of Avian Veterinarians' database.
Be prepared to call if you're not sure about anything or if changes occur that worry you.
3
Keep the recovering bird in a warm place that is not too hot. Avoid situating the bird anywhere with drafts, noise or bright light. Keep human and pet traffic to an absolute minimum.
- Remove distractions from the cage, such as toys, mirrors or bells.
- Ensure that the bird gets at least 10 to 12 hours of sleep. This may include making the bird's resting area off-bounds to all household members.
- In some cases, it may help to increase the humidity in your home. Talk to your vet about this; it can assist with improved breathing if the bird is congested, but the vet must okay it first.
4
Keep the fluids up. This can be helped by feeding the bird foods with a high moisture content, such as leafy greens and fruit, provided the vet has said this is okay first.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If it is okay to give fruit, float a piece of grape or apple in the bird's water. This can encourage the bird to drink, as well as take the piece of fruit.
Recovering birds often do well on a diet high in simple carbohydrates because these are easy for the bird to digest.^{[2]XResearch source} Your bird's vet should give you appropriate suggestions.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
Why is my parakeet's beak brown and hard looking?
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Dr. Nelson is a Veterinarian who specializes in Companion and Large Animal Medicine in Minnesota, where she has over 18 years of experience as a veterinarian in a rural clinic. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Minnesota in 1998.
Melissa Nelson, DVM, PhD
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
A bird can have conditions that affect its beak's appearance. If you notice a change like this, it is best to consult a veterinarian experienced in treating pet birds for the best advice.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 6 Helpful 27

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Do not hesitate to take the bird to the vet if you suspect it is not well. Birds deteriorate rapidly if they do not receive needed assistance.
Thanks
Helpful3 Not Helpful0
Weight loss is another sign of illness in a bird.
Thanks
Helpful5 Not Helpful0
Try putting some bird toys in your parakeet's cage to help prevent boredom.
Thanks
Helpful3 Not Helpful0

Show More Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of How.com.vn readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on How.com.vn, please submit it in the field below.

Always act fast and take your bird to the vet if you suspect an illness. Don't wait for your parakeet to show more symptoms before seeking treatment.
Some birds will rip out their feathers from loneliness. Try spending more time socializing with your bird or buy another bird to keep it company.
Check the bird's droppings as they reveal your bird's health. Their droppings may change color as they get sick or their symptoms change.

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!