Birds--General/wing injury?

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Expert: - 11/11/2007


Question
Hello I bought two parakeets about a month ago and the vet clipped their wings today. the male jumped out of his cage and hopped around a bit but now he sits in his cage and with his wings sticking out a bit and shaking slightly. he stretches his wings and fluffs up every few minutes....Im really worried...could it be serious? thank you so much

Answer
Hi, Ellie,

I believe what is going on is that the visit to the vet's office was pretty traumatic for the birds to begin with.  Birds shake in order to regulate their body temperatures (just like humans do) or when they are too cold.  Also, having their flight feathers clipped changes the way they are able to move about, i.e., they can no longer fly the way they used to fly.  Therefore, they don't understand what is going on and they have to get used to maneuvering around with clipped flight feathers.  This is why the bird now sits in his cage...he's confused about what has happened.  It's been a stressful experience for your birds!  Give them a few days to settle down and see how things go.  The bird(s) may be clumbsy for a bit until they get used to their new clip.

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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