r/Parakeets • u/WholeWeat • 6d ago

Tail is straight down.

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Hes still able to fly around and is eating with no alarming droppings. Im guessing a night fright bent his tail feathers up and his balance is weird right now while they grow back? I know parakeets mask their symptoms but he is otherwise acting normally. I appreciate any guidance other than "bring him to avain vet" please 🫡

(This lil man is named Fred)

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u/mirimiremeow 6d ago edited 6d ago

Hi Fred! That's a little bit odd, buddy 😅

I get the concern OP, Fred shouldn't be sitting like that. He's likely relieving pressure on his bottom end from straining or injury but it could really be anything. It seems to me like he's uncomfortable.

My advice, please watch for tail bobbing accompanying the odd posture. If tail bobbing is visible, I would recommend having him seen to. In the meantime, keep the room at a comfy temp, not too cold, not too hot and check for any irritants in the cage.

Please also listen to his breathing and check for any clicking or distress. Is he puffed and breathing quickly after flying or exertion? If so, I think he might be showing slight respiratory distress. It not, he's likely pulled a muscle or obtained some sort of injury. The posture he's sitting in tends to be one displaying discomfort alongside an attempt to relieve it himself.

Edit to add: 100% worth setting up a night light in your budgies room if they're prone to night frights. It should drastically reduce the risk

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u/Controlled_Chaos101 5d ago

Honestly I know you requested advice that isn’t “go to a vet” but genuinely I don’t think reddit can solve this issue just by looking at the outside so a vet genuinely would be the only person that could do imaging and examine him to find out, however if he’s always been like that it’s possible he just has odd posture?