Why is my bird at the bottom of the cage with something on its head?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Male
Staying I Bottom of cage ang has stuff like syliver on head
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on August 26th, 2017
I am sorry birdie is not feeling well. I usually get concerned when birds are sitting at the bottom of the cage or having changes in behavior. I would recommend taking him to a veterinarian just to be on the safe side he is healthy and not becoming sick. A range of issues can cause birdie to become ill so a vet visit is best.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 24th, 2017
This is usually indicative a serious sickness and distress. Unfortunately there are several different causes that can cause distress in birds. I would recommend to have your vet do an exam on her as soon as possible. I hope she starts to feel better.
3Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My bird is sitting on bottom of cage and her head is bobbing
This is usually indicative a serious sickness and distress. Unfortunately there are several different causes that can cause distress in birds. I would recommend to have your vet do an exam on her as soon as possible. I hope she starts to feel better.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my parakeet has been constantly ruffling her feathers aswell as going to the bottom of her cage for a long period of time. This has been going on for a few days and I’m concerned. Is there anything wrong? Can she be sick?
I'm sorry that your parakeet is not feeling well! Several things can be causing this, egg binding (a condition where eggs cannot pass through the cloaca), an infection, or a growth anywhere within the abdomen. Other causes can be ingestion of a toxin, or even something causing pain. I recommend having her seen by a vet, especially if she is not eating or drinking to determine the cause and provide treatment options.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Why is my cockatiel sitting at the bottom of the cage?* (She normally doesn't do that) *She only did this for a couple minutes then went back up to her perch Is this a sign of illness???
If she only sat there for a few minutes and does not constantly sit on the bottom of the cage, appears happy, healthy and not puffed up, then I would not worry about this. Sometimes birds want to explore the floor, or there was a draft they tried to get away from, or it was too hot on the perch and cooler on the bottom.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
52 year old Amazon sitting on bottom of cage and eyes not pupils fixed and acting tired.
Anytime a bird is sick enough to go to the bottom of the cage and sit there looking tired, it’s an emergency. Birds are very good at hiding their illnesses, so when they actually appear sick, they are likely to be seriously ill, or injured. I recommend having Jaco evaluated by an avian veterinarian as soon as possible. In the meantime, make sure he has access to water and food. I hope that helps and Jaco gets better soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my parakeet has been sick for a few weeks now , he's sits on the bottom of the cage ,he's weak walks in circles, he hangs onto the side of the cage with his beak , he off balance sleeps a lot , one side of his body seems weaker . he eats and drink
It would be best to bring your bird to a local avian veterinarian, especially if he has been ill for a few weeks. it's possible that an underlying illness, neurologic issue, muscular disease, stroke or other problem has occurred that needs to be examined and treated as needed. In some cases birds may not recover fully, and you may need to adjust your bird's environment to help him get around a little easier, such as adding in flat platform perches or changing access to food and water.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
my bird is just sitting at the bottom and her head will just start twitching. What are some possible symptoms and what can I do other than go to a vet. we have a money problem and don't want to spend too much.
If your bird is sitting on the bottom of the cage, this is often a sign that your bird is too week to perch. Shaking the head might be a sign of nausea or regurgitation, or a sinus infection. A veterinary visit is recommended. But, providing heat support at home might help provide some strength to your bird. Most veterinarians will attempt to keep sick birds in incubators at 85-90 F. Take the perches out of the cage and provide a towel on the bottom of the cage for comfort. Place food and water bowls on the bottom within easy reach of your bird. Using a small syringe for administration of water could help with some dehydration. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My female budgie won't do anything?? Just sitting in the bottom of cage and weak with eyes closed and standing on two feet
Those are general symptoms that Bibbie is not feeling well and may have an underlying illness. It would be best to seek veterinary care ASAP as this is a symptom of many possible issues and an exam is needed to help narrow down the cause. Until you can get to the vet, moving her to a warm hospital cage with easy access to food and water may help, however if she is completely listless seeking care is needed ASAP.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My bird is sitting on the bottom of her cage struggling to breath and not moving.
I am so sorry to hear about Birdy. Any time that a bird is on the bottom of the cage it is concerning, and especially if she is not moving and having trouble breathing. Birdy needs to go to a veterinarian as soon as possible. They will provide her with oxygen, heat support, and may administer medications to her. Birds that are as sick as Birdy sounds are in critical condition, and unfortunately may not do well with handling. This can cause them to pass away suddenly with very minimal stress - I am not saying that this will happen to Birdy, but it is a potential, so I want to try to prepare you for that. I am so sorry that this is happening, and I hope that you are able to get her into a veterinarian very soon.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My canary this morning is sat at the bottom of cage flicking her head she won’t get up just sat twitching we’ve only had her 3 days
Thanks for reaching out about Tilly. If on the bottom of the cage, needs to see a veterinarian as soon as possible, or contact the seller. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range might give some aid. Lethargy could be an infection, metabolic disorder (liver, kidney), parasites (internal or external), and other causes. A veterinary visit is needed to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. The flicking of the head could be possible regurgitation or a sinus infection. Good luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
my parakeet has been fine for the past 3 months that I have had him. He was fine when I woke up this morning. I come home from work today and he is all Puffed up and sitting on the bottom of his cage. He was trying to eat food for a little bit but no
I am so sorry that this is happening to you and Harold. It is always concerning when a bird is on the bottom of the cage, and unfortunately this is a common and non-specific sign. What this means is that there are many things that can make them come to the bottom of the cage, including weakness, which is sounds like Harold is exhibiting. Weakness can result from numerous types of illnesses as well, and often in our small birds it is related to them losing their energy/fat stores quickly due to their small size and high metabolism. I would recommend taking Harold into a veterinarian as soon as possible to have him evaluated. They can perform a thorough physical examination, and they may recommend diagnostics and/or treatments depending on what they find. Diagnostic testing that may be recommended include radiographs (x-rays) and blood work to evaluate systemic health. I wish you the best of luck with Harold, and I hope he feels better soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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