AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question Hi, I have a pet rainbow lorikeet. I am studying away from home at the moment and my bird lives with my parents. I came home to stay for a few weeks and noticed that my bird is sleeping a lot more than usual. In fact, until this week I have never even seen her sleep, she usually is awake when I get up in the morning and is highly energetic. She's still eating and will play a bit when I take her out, but she is clumsier than usual and if left alone will just go back to sleep. Her feathers still look healthy but they are always puffed out which is also unusual for her. Should I take her to the vet or is there an easy solution? I want to sort this out before I go back to University.
Answer By the time a bird is noticeably ill, chances are that the problem has been brewing for some time. Birds are among the most masterful at hiding illness, weakness or injury because just one mistake in the wild and their life could be over.
If your bird is acting ‘off’, no matter what – no matter when, they need to be seen by their vet. Infections and disease are far more successfully and inexpensively treated when tackled early. Unlike mammals, avians don’t fare well with a “watch and wait” protocol.
Vomiting (as opposed to regurgitation which is bringing up partially digested food from the crop), is almost always the result of something more serious and it’s very important to be seen. Your vet will take a crop swab and perform a culture at the very least.
When a bird stretches their necks, usually with their beaks open (some owners describe this as yawning) they are probably adjusting their crop. It may happen once in a while without much concern as long as everything else is fine, but when you notice it being done more than on occasion there’s a possibility of infection. Often it’s a fungus/yeast, but there’s no taking chances with a bird. Even a fungal or yeast infection needs to be attended to quickly or it can become very serious.
Since there is no way to know for sure that this is the problem, home treatments aren’t suggested because they waste valuable time.
If there’s true diarrhea (that means the centers of the droppings which are usually solid, string shaped feces – are not well formed over a period of a day or more), it’s another indication of real need to be seen.
Fluffing up (looking bigger) and sitting in one spot, less (or sometimes more) vocalizations, any loss of balance, lethargy, increased sleeping during the day – all important indicators of illness that must not be ignored or delayed.
For the bird’s safety, if it’s not able to perch well or maintain balance, lowering the perch or even removing it is suggested.
Putting a heat source into the cage may be necessary since a sick or distressed bird may lose body heat. I prefer a non electric source and use rice socks.
Use a thick, clean sock and fill it ¾ with plain, raw white rice. Knot the end and microwave it for about 1 ½ minutes. Shake it afterwards to distribute the heat and be sure it’s not too hot.
You can layer a thick towel on one side of the cage, secure with clothespins out of the reach of the bird’s beak – then clip a heating pad over the towel and set on low. Check often to be sure it’s not overheating and that the bird isn’t gnawing through. A side attachment like this will allow the bird to move closer or away as needed.
If the bird is bottom-bound, install a heating pad under just a portion of the base, again, set on low.
The rice sock option is far safer and more efficient though.
Cover the cage with a thick blanket, leaving all or part of the front door uncovered for better air circulation, to help keep the bird calm by being able to see out and of course so you can check on it regularly just by peeking in. The covering also helps hold some of the heat inside.
I’m very uncomfortable giving the heating pad suggestion because of the potential for the bird to bite through the bars and possibly catch a part of the heating pad. This is just one reason I prefer to avoid electric sources of heat. Another reason is that heating pads can suddenly become faulty and overheat. If ever using an electric source for heating anything in anyway, please be vigilant and constantly double checking carefully.
Always remember that this little life is depending on you for everything. If someone near and dear to you were to present with what you knew for a fact was an illness, disease or injury – chances are you wouldn’t take any chances and would have them off to their doctor or emergency clinic without a second thought. This bird needs that from you right now.
