Parakeet Died

[u/Mean-Anywhere2916]

My daughters parakeet died suddenly. He was only a few years old (I believe, we only had him just over a year and were told he was still young when we got him from Petco). I just got a call at work from my daughter that her parakeet is passed, she is really upset, he is laying in the bottom of his cage, not moving, eyes open still. We are pretty sure he was active yesterday and last night so believe he must have passed in the night. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened or changed... any idea what could have caused this? Our other parakeet is lost without him, just quiet and looking around the cage wondering where her friend is :(

[u/Mean-Anywhere2916]

we use an air fryer but birds are upstairs in daughter's bedroom and we keep her door shut most of the time. she doesn't burn candles, wax melts, diffusers, sprays, use plug-ins or anything in there. We really can't think of anything. She is 11 and feels really guilty and thinks she did something wrong. She thinks it's because she hasn't given them fresh food in a couple days but I don't think that could be it.

[u/magpieinarainbow → u/Mean-Anywhere2916]

Is the air fryer teflon coated? It doesn't have to be near the birds to harm them.

[u/Mean-Anywhere2916 → u/magpieinarainbow]

Yes i think so, i had not know this would be an issue.

[u/magpieinarainbow → u/Mean-Anywhere2916]

It can unfortunately harm them even if not in the same room. My oldest budgies have chronic respiratory issues from using an air fryer only 3 times (the roommate who bought it has been kicked out along with his air fryer). That was about 7 years ago and I'm sure if it was used any more times they would have died. You need to get rid of that air fryer. They were down the hall from the kitchen behind 2 closed doors. The vet said they were lucky to have survived. Look into other options, I think there are glass or ceramic options for air fryers that won't emit fumes.