You are here:

Budgies/is my bugdie sick?

Advertisement

Expert: - 12/16/2007


Question
My blue bugdie is losing a lot of feathers on his tail and now his tail is kind of short. I am worried if my blue bugdie is sick or something. please help me?

Answer
Hi, David,

From your post, it sounds to me like your budgie is molting.  Molting is the process whereby a bird replaces every feather on its body.  This is a gradual process taking 4-6 weeks to complete.  Budgies can also lose tail feathers when they play if their cage is too small.  Be sure your bird's cage is the proper size.  Tail feathers can also come out if pulled on hard enough.

Chrys

Budgies

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.