What's wrong with my bird?

[Krystina661]

I have a parakeet and for the past month it has been doing something very strange..

Whenever I go over to the cage she always seems to freeze up for a few minutes and almost look paralyzed. Her pupils also get very small and she arches her back up.. She's a total biter and whenever you put your hand up to the cage she'll attack but when she is doing this you could touch her and she won't move at all. Then after about a minute she'll relax her body.. her pupils will dilate and be fine and start biting again which is normal..

Any ideas?? :o

 

[horseluva42792]

How long have you had the parakeet?

 

[Krystina661]

About 5 months

 

[awashinlove]

What you've described is the absolute peak of fear in an avian. If such a response is seen in a bird it is imperative that you make some sort of change to reduce the stress or truly one day her heart will kick much sooner than it ever should. My move would be to introduce her to a same-sex friend or two, especially if her origins are a pet shop or another mass-breeding supplier.

 

[meebs]

Agree with the above post

Parakeet? thats a budgie isnt it?

Approach her cage gently, talk to her in a soothing voice. Have you taught her to stand on your finger yet?also are you able to let her out? Remember be very patient!

(ive owned 3 budgies/parakeets - they can be lovelly esp when they are trained!)

i also may mention that err...some of them are going into season?

 

[Krystina661]

What you've described is the absolute peak of fear in an avian. If such a response is seen in a bird it is imperative that you make some sort of change to reduce the stress or truly one day her heart will kick much sooner than it ever should. My move would be to introduce her to a same-sex friend or two, especially if her origins are a pet shop or another mass-breeding supplier.

I do approach the cage slowly and during the day it's pretty quiet around the house. I don't see how the bird could have that much stress. I do think she could be lonely so we might get another bird.

The bird also didn't come from the pet store. I found her when I was walking to pick my son up from school and the bird was just fluttering around on the sidewalk so I took her in. I don't know anything about her past life or where she came from. She also plucks her feathers out and is bald in the front from that.. I don't know what else to do to calm her down. I like this bird a lot and feel really bad..

 

[Krystina661]

Approach her cage gently, talk to her in a soothing voice. Have you taught her to stand on your finger yet?also are you able to let her out? Remember be very patient!

I don't think I'll ever be able to get this bird near my finger unless it wants to chew it off..

It's a hassle just getting fresh water and food in the cage everyday. I have to wear gloves cause she attacks my hand..

 

[awashinlove]

I remember your previous thread about the poor girl being neurotic.

As for stress, it does not take much at all to stress these highly sensitive animals out, I've come across birds that are stressed simply in the presence of a certain color. But I was referring to the fear itself as the source of physical stress - paralyzing her little body is an extreme, rare response, and so is plucking (for a parakeet).

Often the birds that display this in captivity are those who are mass bred. Also, consider that parakeets, those who can be purchased at insanely low prices from pet stores, are some of the most frequently abused animals and most often left to fly free. Parakeets twitter incessantly and are needy just like large Macaws, few who walk into a store and toss $15-$20 on the table are ready to deal with such a wild animal - she very well may have an abusive past which causes her to have blind terror in response to human proximity. This is why I wouldn't even try to tame her and instead slowly introduce her to the comfort of a small flock. A flock, being it is the only natural defense a caged bird can maintain, should calm her down even in the event of your approach.

 

[Krystina661]

Yea that's what I'm gonna have to do is just get another parakeet. I just hope they don't fight but we'll see..

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond. I just didn't have a clue as to why she was freezing up like that.. Thanks for the information

 

[meebs]

I don't think I'll ever be able to get this bird near my finger unless it wants to chew it off..

It's a hassle just getting fresh water and food in the cage everyday. I have to wear gloves cause she attacks my hand..

i feel for you.

i also had a neurotic male budgie but in different ways

he was lovelly though and eventually learned to respond. its great watching budgies run across an entire living room floor. Sorry i have memories (present budgie wont leave his cage).

keep us updated!

i agree with the above post on getting a companion.

 

[country woman]

May be before you found her she was in a home where they ignored the poor bird. It will take time for the little thing to warm up to you. Go slowly.

 

[Krystina661]

<~~~ THAT is actually what my bird looks like!! The same colors and everything except the head has some yellow on top. It truly is a beautiful parakeet and I haven't really seen one in the pet stores with the same coloring..

 

[country woman]

My Lucca looks like the bird in my signature. My little guy has crippled feet. I love Lucca to death.

 

[AussieLover]

My Lucca looks like the bird in my signature. My little guy has crippled feet. I love Lucca to death.

awww....I how sweet?

 

[Randi]

Krystina, that's the coloring of one of my 'keets, Landon! Good luck with your little bird!

 

[qpmomma]

Have you considered taking her to a vet? Expecially if she's plucking. It may be her diet or something internally may be going on. Sounds like this little girl has been through a lot. Taking her to the vet may rule out health issues and narrow down why she's acting this way. Or it could be psycological due to stress and all she's been through. Don't give up on her.

Christina

My quaker, Spencer, looks EXACTLY like the bird my character is holding. Grey chest and everything! lol