My little Ellie (her name), who is a budgerigar or parakeet, is acting strange. I know it's winter here in Bothell, Washington, and of course it's cold, but my little bird keeps puffing up into what looks like a feather ball. The strange thing is that she stays at the bottom of the cage. Only when she goes to sleep does she decide to climb up and perch next to mym other budgie, Zeke. PLEASE HELP! I thnk she is sick. She seems very drowsy! I'm begging you! Please don't let my little Ellie die! I don't know what to do!

You should get her to the vet if the poop changes colour, or if her behaviour gets worse.

She might just be stressed, or like some people, she might be effected by the crazy weather (warm-cold-warm-cold)..

Call your vetinarian. tell them whats going on and they will advise you .

How much do vets cost? My parents don't even like my birds and they're my only ride......

Cost?

If your in Canada I think the checkup if free, if not, go to a walk-in clinic at the hosp, HEALTH CARE FTW!

Thank You so much. I'll post later for results........

Im not sure where you are . check here for some signs and symptoms .

Go


Im pretty sure your parents are reasonable and if you alert them to fact that one is sick and needs a vet they will see to it for you .
.

Yeah as much as I hate my little brother and the fact that I have to clean up after him (hes like 11) I would probably take him to the hosp if he was dieing or preggo.

InHuman - she's talking about a bird!

You really shouldn't have a pet if you can't take them to the vet. ;(

Her Cere isn't Inflamed, Runny or Red but one side is like....dark red/pink and the other side is light pink. It's really weird. Her feathers are really puffed up and she is sitting and chewing on random things at the bottom of her cage, (random as in empty bird seed). Her eyes are closed and chirps every few minutes..........

well that sounds like its not too good I have looked up the symptoms of illness and diseases in my bird book. It looks like your bird is very ill having these symptoms Ruffled Feathers, red, inflamed or runny cere, cloudly eyes if you haven't treated it in time it may go in to problem even chronic later on or disease. Its best way to take it to vet and have it immediate care and treatment if it doesn't get treatment the bird dies next day or day before.

I reckon If little Ellie is fluffing her wings up shes definantly cold.
Hope shes alright.

Go to the vet or at least ring them and ask the receptionist about your little birdy. They normally have good advice for what you can do or if you really have to bring it in.

I live in Redmond just down the street from you and used to raise parrots...

MCR... get her to a vet QUICK... first thing in the morning! You have a very good avian vet in Bothell right on Bothell way near the Chevron station (I can't remember her name, but she's very good and you can't miss the office, it might even be called Bothell Animal Care)... Or there's Dr. Black in Clearview, he's excellent and resonably priced.

Take them BOTH to the vet immediately. Puffed birds on cage bottoms is a very bad sign usually!

The only other thing it could be is that she's about to lay eggs... BUT this is awfully early in the year for that.

I don't want to scare you, but you should take her in in the morning. I hate to say it, but if you don't, you may lose her. As much as I really don't want to upset you, she could have trouble making it through the night. Make sure there are no drafts near her at all, warm or cold.

Darn, it's so late, you're probably not even awake right now. I hope you see this in the morning... the only other thing I could suggest is the emergency clinic on Rose Hill in Kirkland, but you really don't want to pay for that after-hours call I doubt.

maybe she just needs a mate to cuddle her through the winter

Birds are good at covering up their illnesses. By the time they fluff up and sit on the ground it's not good. I hope your little one makes it though.

My mom's did that and then died.



Sorry.

I'm going to close this topic, as it falls under Medical Advice.

2i. Medical advice: Do not use the forum to request medical assistance; while some visitors will offer their opinions on a medical question in an attempt to help out, most are not qualified to assist you and you are always best to seek the advice of your doctor.

Or in this case, as the consensus of the posters here would suggest, seek the advice of a vet.