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Birds--General/sick love bird

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Expert: - 7/29/2008


Question
hello, hopefully you can help, i have two lovebird, i have had them for about 6 months. they seem fine playful and out going, until now. one of them seems tired and its closing his eyes a lot, i don't have that much experience with bird so i don't know if is sick, everything started when i gave them food and then after an hour one of them started trying to scratched there nose and then is when s/he started to close the eyes and looking restless. what should i do?

Answer
Hi, Tony,

Your bird could be sick or could just be having a bad day.  Also, sometimes when a bird eats and gets its stomach full, it likes to take a nap, just like we do when we get a full stomach.  Could this be what is happening, i.e., is your bird doing better now?  Closing of eyes like you describe could also be a sign of dehydration.  Is your bird getting enough water?  

If these abnormal signs continue for more than a couple of days, you need to seek certified avian veterinarian assistance because your bird could be ill.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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