Budgie won't move

by Brenna
(Oregon, United States)

I just got my first bird yesterday. he/she is a blue budgie. we don't think that he/she has gone through his/her first molt yet.

She is wild and scared of people, and she has not moved from her perch at all except to peck at her millet for like 30 seconds. She has toys and stuff too but won't play.

Is it normal for them to not move or eat when you first get them?

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Budgie won't move

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May 29, 2012

Budgie won't move
by: Linda

A lot of new birds are already sick with some kind of infection. We highly recommend all new birds be examined by an Avian Vet ONLY within the first few days to a week they are in our homes. Infections do not just go away without being diagnosed and treated and lack of appetite and activity points directly to an infection or other physical issue.

Feeding should be as Tracie instructed because all seed diets are starvation diets for any kind of parrot.

Thanks for writing and good luck!
Linda

May 29, 2012

It takes time
by: Rose

It is normal for your little. budgie to be scared.When we got our cocatiel she was very frightened.The best way to them use to you is just sit in front of their and talk to them.It took our little bird awhile before she started eating well.Now she is part of the family...very spoilt.Also try giving her fresh fruit and vegies.Our little girl loves cooked peas.Im sure your little budgie will be happy once she gets use to you.All the best.

May 28, 2012

New budgie doesn't seem to move
by: Tracie

It is normal for the bird to not eat or drink in front of you, but is must be eating and drinking or it will die.

I don't know what food you are feeding the bird, hopefully you know to feed a high quality pellet diet like Harrison's or Roudybush so your bird will have the potential for a long healthy life. If you are feeding pellets, then just count out a few and then see how many have been eaten after you leave the bird alone for a few hours.

If the bird is not eating a pellet diet, then eventually read our Switching Birds To Pellets article
and
Switching Budgies To Pellets article
and choose one of those methods to get your bird on a healthy diet. An all seed diet will eventually cause your bird to die of fatty liver disease or some other health issue.

Please measure the food somehow and figure out if the bird is eating. Mark a line on the water bottle and see if the water level goes down.

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