Worried about our budgie

[CAI]

Well we actually got our budgie from a friend when they went on holiday for 2 weeks. When they came back they didnt want him anymore so we kept him.

I dont think they treated him well as when we first got him he was very timid. Although he used to fly around the room 4 or 5 times a day and stuff.

Our budgie isnt very normal as we basically leave his cage door open all day as now he will quite happily sit on the top of his cage all day. Perhaps plays with his mirror or his little plastic budgie. He never flys anymore. Not even to get out his cage we had to make stairs for him.

He also hates anything changed from his cage. If you move something or try and add a new toy he will not even go near it for months. Sometimes we giveup and take the new toy away.

Recently he has been falling of his swing at night. Not all the time but sometimes or we will come home and find hes been on the floor just walking around. Doesnt seem able to fly back to his cage.

He wont let you pet him either. He used to let me pet him from time to time but not my mum or Dad.

You think hes ok ? :(

[Budgiekin]

I am so sorry to hear that you are worried about your little sweetie. Budgies sure can create a lot of worry for us!

Do you think it may be possible that your budgie had a night fright? Essentially that means that your sweetie would have thrashed around in his cage at night, usually out of fear from a noise or car lights for example. Since you said he has trouble getting back onto his perches, perhaps he injured himself?? My budgies have been known to have night frights so I only cover 3/4 of their cage and provide a night light for them. I also use a baby monitor in their room so I can hear if they start thrashing in their cages.

As far as his behaviour with you and not wanting you to touch him or pet him, do you think it might be possible that he has not yet adjusted to his new environment? How long have you had the little fellow?

Some other questions for you are .... How is his appetite? What do his droppings look like? Are they nicely formed? Are his vent (bum) feathers clean? Do you cover the cage at night? During the day, wher do you keep his cage?

Lemme know and perhaps we can figure out what may be going on here. It is quite possible that a visit to an avian vet may be in order to check him out to make sure he is okay.

[CAI]

I think your right about him just getting a fright. We used to cover his cage but no longer do as we though he was maybe having trouble getting back on his swing with it being Dark. When we turn the lights off he will quite happily jump on his swing and go to bed, so thats good.

We have had him for atleast 5 years but its funny you mention his surroundings as we just recently decorated and thats when he stopped flying. I dont think he is comfortable with the new look of the room, colours etc.

He quite chirpy most days though and loves music/football being on tv. He always gets really chirpy when those two are on.

[pinkygold]

Budgies can be quite jumpy when you take it to a new place or put something new their. It's because their not used to it. Give them some time, and maybe they'll give in and try to accept it.