New budgie quiet, not eating/drinking. Is my bird sick or stressed?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Bird | Parakeet | Female
Alright, so, I just got Frost yesterday and I am completely new to birds. Like, I have never, ever even held one or been close to one. I would like to know, is it normal for them to be so quiet? So far, I've only seen her twice, and I haven't seen her drink from her dish at all. Her feathers are all tight around her as well. She seems fine at times, but each time I go near her or if one of my family members does, she quickly huddles away. Im just worried that she is sick. Can I do anything?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on October 9th, 2018
Thank you for your question, and congratulations on your new pet! Budgies can be a very shy species, and this is often exaggerated when they are put into unfamiliar settings (such as a new house). I would recommend giving her a little more time to adjust, as long as she is eating and producing feces. You can find these at the bottom of the cage. Alternatively, you can also take her to a veterinarian for evaluation. This is a good idea from a wellness perspective, as it will slow you to gather information about her baseline health, and your vet can determine whether Frost is ill or not. They can also provide you with basic information on husbandry and nutrition as well. I hope that gives you a place to start, and good luck with your new bird!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on October 19th, 2018
I am sorry that this is happening to you and Tahani, and I am glad that you posted your question. I would agree with you that I am concerned about the decreased appetite and small amounts of fecal production, as these are often signs of illness in a bird. Since they are prey animals, they try very hard to act normally when they are around others, including their friends like you and your other bird. From the photos that you sent, it looks like she is fluffed and sitting low on her perch as well. At home, I would recommend increasing the heat in the room where she is living so she doesn't have to waste energy on staying warm. I would recommend taking her to a veterinarian and having her evaluated. They can look for signs of illness, such as an infection, and may prescribe medications for her. Please don't give Tahani any human medications, as many of these are harmful for our bird friends. I hope that this gives you a place to start, and I hope that Tahani feels better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Hi, we just got a new budgie. He is the all yellow color one. We noticed he is sleeping for long time and his eyes are half closed. He eats well, but not drinking lots of water. Is he sick?
I got my bird just yesterday, and she was very talkative when she was being retrieved, but it is now in the afternoon, and she isn't making any noise. She is eating just fine, and her droppings look absolutely normal. I'm just concerned that there co
Tahani I noticed seems to not be eating or drinking very much. My other budgie regurgitates to her and I am giving her 0.05 cc of water each night so she gets some water. My other budgie eats then gets a drink, she is eating a little tiny bit and I h
My bird is acting sick but there is no other symptoms apart from not eating much and drinking a lot of water we bought it some birdy electrolytes and some supplement for birds that refuse to eat and taking him to the bet possibly tomorrow what do y
Hello! So it has been a week maybe a week and a half since I got my Budgie, Frost. I would like to know if its normal for them to be really quiet? I know now that they had time in her (at least i think Frost is a female.) cage. The store I got her f
Hello! A little blue budgie flew up to my family member while he was outside yesterday. It was oddly tame and he was even able to hold it. We gave the budgie some food and after a while, we eventually went out to see if we could have a local petstore
Hello, I wanna ask something about my parrot. We just bought it yesterday and he was totally fine and talking but today he just don't do anything and doesn't and don't eat anything just a bite and stand at 1 place. Please tell me if anything's wrong
I just bought 2 parakeets and it has been about 20 hours that they have not eaten nor drank. what should I do?
I found a budgie on my driveway today. He has been very docile today, slept a lot and is now on the bottom of his cage with his feet up and back, not standing on them... not very responsive although earlier today he was walking on my finger.... I'd
Ive had my bird for a week, and hes frequently fluffed up. He eats and drinks well. Chirps happily. Hes active and alert. Poop looks healthy. The house is plenty warm. Other bird owners say it is concerning. What could the fluffed up feathers be indi
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
