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Question
My budgies sometimes spread out their wings - it looks like they're hot or uneasy. Is this normal behavior??? (See the attached picture of a yellow and blue female parakeet with outspread wings and white and blue male parakeet just standing there.)
 has outspread wings like she\'s trying to cool herself down while her mate is standing next to her on the left. They are standing on top of the breeding nest where most of my parakeets usually sit.'))
Hi, Thuy.
Birds will spread out their wings, like you say, when they are overheated. Spreading their wings away from their body allows them to cool their bodies down. Sometimes this is accompanied by a bird panting. Check the ambient temperature in the room/area where these birds are housed and cool it down if necessary and/or ensure there is sufficient air circulation for your birds.
This could also be a case where the female is trying to warn you to stay away. If she and her mate are in the breeding process, have babies/eggs, etc., spreading the wings is a way a parrot tries to intimidate someone/something by trying to make themselves look bigger/tough. Usually, the male keet behaves in this manner, but I've also seen females behave this way. Are they housed with other keets? Do they only do this when you are close to them?
Chrys Meatyard
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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, 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 a certified avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.
Experience
Over 20 years breeding/raising/handfeeding/selling 15 different species of parrots.
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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