Is my new budgie sick

[Noobbirdowner]

Well my budgie has been sleeping a lot this is like the 3rd nap today, do you think she could be sick? She still hasnt eaten yet [just got her yesterday], and shes been just sitting on her perch not really moving much. I did let her out today and she flew around a little bit and then perched on my hand, but before we let her out she was trying to take another nap. Also, yesterday I was up untill about 2 am watching tv is she perhaps tired because I kept her awake [I put a cover over her but maybe the sound kept her awake?] Do you guys think I should be concerned?

[abel]

I'm not sure I understand. Is this Edward, the one who just lost birds last night? Is this one of the two that survived?

[Noobbirdowner]

No this isnt edward... im just the one who got a new bird yesterday and shes sleeping a lot and I dont know if shes sick

[Noobbirdowner]

And just recently i decided to cover the cage in case she was tired and she found the spot not that covered and now shes staring at me through the crack and moving back and fourth on her perch sigh* I hope shes not sick if I lose this one I probably wont get another budgie for a long time or even at all shes starting to get a little active now[moving back and fourth on the perch] that the cage is covered I dont know what to do with her.

[abel]

If you were up till 2:00 am, and you'd just gotten her, she may be stressed. Put a cloth over her cage, put her in a quiet, dim place, alone, and let her catch up on her sleep. There should be enough light that she can see a little bit, under the cloth, so she can eat if she likes, and so she won't hurt herself, since she's still somewhat unfamiliar with her new living quarters. Check and make sure there is absolutely not even the slightest little draft hitting the cage. Some people use a lit match to do this, but if you're underage, your parents can help. It is not uncommon for a new bird not to eat the first day. It's a scarey thing to be snatched away from your home and your flock and taken to a new place and put in a cage all by yourself and not knowing what will happen next. It takes awhile for the bird relax and feel safe. It's generally a good idea to give a new bird a day or two in a quiet room by themselves, as a time to destress and adjust to the new environment. If you notice other signs of sickness, such as her being all fluffed up, droopy tail feathers, discharge from nasal area, dirty vent area, watery eyes, slipping, stumbling, weakness, or anything more than just the sleepiness, I would take her to an avian vet. It's always a good idea to get a new bird checked out anyway. Good luck!

[Noobbirdowner]

Ok thanks I thought i was maybe keeping her awake :'( I turned the tv down low but whenever i would sneak a peak behind the cover she was always still awake, I dont think there are any drafts because shes away from the windows and the ac vent isnt by her. By the way could you explain to me what the "vent area" is I think I might know but I want to double check.

[abel]

Around the area where she goes to the bathroom.:)

[Noobbirdowner]

lol thought so

[Budgiekin]

It sounds like your little sweetie is still just trying to adapt to her new environment. The fact that she has been sleeping a fair amount is not uncommon. Budgies will often nap frequently throughout the day even when they are completely healthy..I would be concerned if like Abel said, your sweetie was showing other signs of illness. It is not a bad idea to bring your new budgie to an avian vet for an initial exam either. If you're looking for one, you can search on this site to find one near you:

http://www.aav.org/vet-lookup/

I would also not worry too much about her not eating just yet. Have you sprinkled seed on the bottom of the cage? Sometimes that can help encourage new budgies to eat. Have you provided a seed cup close to where your budgie likes to hang out in her cage? Have you tried clipping millet in her cage to see if she will eat that? Most budgies LOVE millet and will eat it all the time if they could...Also, are you feeding the same seed she had while she was in the store or aviary where you got her from? Sometimes budgies won't try a different brand of seed right away..yes, they can be THAT picky!

I remember my budgie Skyla never adapted to being alone (and by "alone", I just mean without a fellow budgie friend), so I had to get her a buddy which made her so much happier. I have found that some budgies just don't adapt to being the only budgie. After all, they are very much flock animals that like the company of their own species.

Good luck with your little one and please keep us up to date with how she is doing. :p

[Noobbirdowner]

I have millet in the cage and I dont think shes tried it yet [its banana flavored maybe she doesnt like that?] and no I dont think the seed is the same as what she was eating in the store. I have her covered now to see if shes tired. If I do have to take her to a vet I know somebody who has birds that I could probably ask about a vet. [I tried the site and nothing comes up but, the guy im talking about has tons of bird so im sure he knows where one is]

[Joey]

I posted an article "supposed to be" but couldnt post it in Budgie Articles so I posted it in..Budgie Talk Im pretty sure but it is called How To Recognize A Sick Bird...:)

[Lace]

^^ this is normal, she is in a new and alien place to her. She has also been underalot of stress, being ripped from her once home to be taken to a totally new home that is so new and strange to her. Give it sometime, she needs to get comfortable with her settings before she becomes active ^^ Good luck with your new budgie!