Our 3-1/2 year old parakeet is normally very social. Suddenly a couple of weeks ago he backs up and freaks out if you try to get him on your finger like he is very afraid. He has the ability to go in and out of his cage and usually sits outside and will fly to our shoulder or the kitchen table when we are eating. That has totally stopped. He doesn't want to be away from the cage, but still stays usually outside on the top. Also, his feathers are not growing back as usual. The little ones with the "dots" (don't know if these have a name) haven't grown back in months and in general his feathers are thinner. Otherwise, he still talks like crazy and is playful with his toys, just doesn't want anything to do with us. Any ideas? Help!

Why don't you think he's sick? If his feathers are this thin, he's either sick or not getting proper nutrition.

I guess because he is as cheerful as ever, eating the same diet, playful, but just doesn't want to interact with us like he used to. His feathers are not horribly thin. I just can't figure out his sudden change in behaviour towards us.

Take your bird to the avian vet right now before any symptoms are visible. They hide their illnesses really well and by the time you become aware of them, sometimes it's too late.

Even though he seems not to be sick, something is going on, and you will want to find out what.

All the time, there's cases of a birdie seeming to be well, talking and chattering and playing, till one day he's gone! Seriously.

poor feathering is due to lack of vitamin D and vitamin A if there is something else going on its best to see a avian vet

I do know that when a bird is not feeling right, even during a moult, he will not respond to you with his usual cheerful self.

You are right Jeannie. And Illusive knows so much about birds, I would not argue with her or doubt her word on it!

But in the wild, a sick bird tends to put the whole flock in danger, so that is why they hide their illnesses, talking and playing as usual, till it's too late. In the wild, the flock may kill the sick or weak bird, because it makes the flock more visable to a preditor. (lol, I could not figure out how to spell that word!!)

It does sound like something is going on. There's no way we can tell you what though.

TGS, good luck. I hope you will take birdie to an avian vet and let us know how it turns out.

Well, I wanted to give y'all an update. I took my sweet Pete to an avian vet this morning, thanks to the gentle nudging received here. After a thorough exam, the vet said that Pete looks heathly, had obviously been eating, stool looked "good", no masses, cere was healthy, and no mites. He thought his problem was dietary. He recommended pellets which I had not been feeding him. He said, at the least, I should put vitamin drops in his water if I wasn't going to change his diet.

His change in behaviour could be because it is breeding season and hormonal or his hormonal changes could be a result of his lack of nutrition. Who knows!? I can tell you though, the cost of the doctor visit was well worth the peace of mind. We are going out of town and our daughter was going to keep Pete with her bird and I sure didn't want him to pass something on to the other bird (or pass away in her care). Thanks for your opinions which helped me decide to get him checked out.

well now you still dont want your daughters bird near your bird ...birds can be carriers of disease an not show it...so if you do that ..be sure your bird and your daughters bird is kept in SEPARATE ROOMS while stayin as if being quaranteened...they should not be out together and your daughter should ALWAYS wash her hands thoroughly when she does each birds feeding and cleaning so she on her hands dont transmit anything either. YOU NEVER KNOW WITHOUT BLOOD WORK if a bird is a carrier of something...so dont risk it and make sure your daughter understands this too...

I have recommended in here getting some NEKTON-BIO for feathers its a vitamin for them...in case they are not getting the vitamins from their food that they need for good feather developement...and for you information...vets have this propensity for always saying feed pellets giggle..and pellets are good but not all will eat them and so you have to provide what they may miss in their regular diet.

There is another thread in here that i forgot who mentions ...herbal salad which is very good and yes the birds do really like it...so you do have options...

But please remember when your daughter cares for you bird she absolutely doesnt let either bird near each other during her care and understands the reasons why.

P.S. here is the link for that herbal salad

www.twinbeaksaviary.com