My budgie is lethargic, puffed up, and sleeping a lot. Is he sick?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Bird | Parakeet | Male
I am concerned about my budgie who is around 2 years old. He has been quite lethargic and is constantly sleeping with puffed up feathers. He is eating and drinking as normal. However, he has been unable to fly due to a slightly damaged flight feather that has been been by another budgie.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on July 30th, 2019
Thanks for reaching out about Kiwi. A damage flight feather should not alter flight significantly, as they can fly when they molt. Lethargy and sleeping during the day (to conserve energy) are clinical signs of being sick, the question is why. Providing heat support in the 80-85 F range can give some support. Monitor fecal production by a total cage clean-out. Sick birds often act like they're eating but aren't. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Multiple possibilities include ingestion of foreign material (metal, fabric, wood, etc.), metabolic concerns (liver, renal), infections (viral, bacterial) and others. Good luck.
7Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
-
Published on November 28th, 2017
Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, It's difficult to know if Kiwi is ill based on the pics. The feet look ok, the feathers she lost could just be d/t normal molting and her fluffing up could be because she's cold. If she is eating well and maintaining her weight (based on several measurements on a gram scale) then she is probably ok, but when in doubt... A visit to the vet is the safest way to go.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Hi, I’m minding my friends budgies while he’s on holiday. One of them seemed puffed up today and stayed in one part of the cage. They also didn’t eat at all. When I visited them 2 days ago they were eating fairly well. What should I do? Are they too
My budgie is all fluffed up and seems very lethargic she was fine this morning she has still been eating but not sure if she is just cold or sick usually she is full of energy bouncing around the cage excited for us to get her out just not sure at wh
My Pet Budgie has been sleeping a lot & fluffed up. He seems to play still & eating occasionally. I've gave him a bird vitamin in water to give him a immune boost.
my parrot hasn't been eating for 2 days and has been really inactive and sleepy what can this be caused by and how can it be solved?
I have had my parakeet for a little over 3 weeks now. (Purchased from the pet store) And th last couple of days I have been coming home from school and he is at the bottom of his cage kinda ruffled up. I also noticed that he has not eaten much of his
My parakeet seems to be sleeping a little more than usual. Should I be concerned? What can I do to help?
Hi Good morning One of my budgies is sleeping too much and is not active too much . Today is sitting at the floor and not moving just sleeping .
My budgie has spent the last 2 days sad, sleepy, and has ruffled wings. He has been eating fine but he doesn't look like his usual self. He us mostly looking for millet to eat.
My budgie is fluffed up and sleepy. Please suggest me anything. There is no vet near me. I want your help
Hello Doctor. I adopted a budgie one week ago. She is sick but I am unable to find out the reason. She keeps on sleeping all day long. Very weak doesnot respond to voice and to soothing budgies music and doesnot have power to bite anything. She doesn
Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.
