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My bird sleeps with its head in the perch. Should I be worried?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Bird | Unknown - Bird | Female

Alfie have been lying down with head in perch when resting is that normal or something to be concerned about (Bad photo but head is agains perch)

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on January 1st, 2020

This is not a typical resting position for birds, though it may be "normal" for Alfred. Monitor for lethargy, loss of appetite or loose droppings. If the behavior persists or if he develops any of these symptoms, then he should be physically examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian veterinarian.

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    Answered By Miranda Sadar, DVM, DACZM

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 25th, 2018

    Thank you for your question, and thank you for the photos. When birds are young, they will often sleep with their heads towards the ground and their bottoms towards the sky. This may change with age, and if it doesn't, that is okay too! If you notice any lameness - this would be if Alfred is holding one of his feet up or if he is having difficulty walking around his cage - then I would recommend having him evaluated by a veterinarian as he may have an injury. Also, I would recommend taking Alfred in for a wellness examination in the future so that he can be evaluated by a veterinarian. They may recommend collecting blood work as a baseline for him, so that if he gets sick in the future that they have something to compare to. I hope that helps to answer your question, and good luck with your new bird!

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