Hi newbie here. Update 😪

[MandieJune]

Hi birdie mama's and papas ,I
I recently acquired my first kakariki, he's called Buddy and is a a baby. He settled in well and had him about 8 weeks now. He comes to see me when I open the cage and hops into my hand, up my arm to my shoulder. I've noticed from yesterday he is sleeping a lot, all puffed up and sneezing but he still eating when he wake up Im confused, He sleeps on his perch and he is eating a little bit not as much as usual. Today when he came out he didn't climb up my arm just went to sleep on my hand. My vet said she isn't trained in bird health so isn't sure. Tried specialist none available until tomorrow. What do I do? Does this happen to all birds?

UPDATE within hours after lethargy and sneezing he died. What did i do wrong? He was baby, i feel so bad. I have 2 small dogs that were not bothered by Buddy. I work from home so goes everywhere, fed food from the parrot shop, clean water several times a day. Cage door open so comes and goes, toys. Bought buddy from the guy who owns the shop, he is a breeder. Buddy is still a young baby bird, He was hand reared. I didnt burn candles etc, he,was here then he wasnt?!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

How old is he? What are you feeding him? How many hours a day are you able to observe him (do you work away from home)? Any other animals or birds in the household?

 

[MandieJune]

How old is he? What are you feeding him? How many hours a day are you able to observe him (do you work away from home)? Any other animals or birds in the household?

Hi I have 2 small dogs not bothered by Buddy. I work from home so goes with me everywhere, fed food from the parrot shop, I bought buddy from the guy who owns the shop, he is a breeder. Buddy is still a young bird, was 10 weeks when I fetched him home, had him 8 weeks now, so 18 weeks (4 months). He was hand reared.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Its very important that you establish a relationship with an avian vet and get Buddy (love the name!)in for a check up. None of us have ecpertise in avisn medicine. There are resources in these forums to help you find one. One of our Moderators will likely be responding with a comprehensive international list of known avian vets to help you.

I'm not saying Buddy is sick but a heath problem can't be ruled out. Any change in behavior like this can be a sign of illness.

The most likely explanation when baby birds become less "lovey" (wanting to be on you and cuddle) is simply growing up and at four months, Buddy is starting to mature into an adult. People often become disappointed when they realize that their baby is going to a slightly "different bird" when he grows up. They also don't eat as much as when they were babies. Are his poops normal? What kind of parrot food does he wat? Pellet? Seed?

Maturing doesn't, however, explain why Buddy has been so sleepy and inactive. You really need to try to see an avian vet. I suspect you don't live in the US because Kakarikis are rare here, unfortunately.

 

[MandieJune]

Im in the UK, Unfortunately my beautiful Buddy passed away while sleeping on my lap in his little bed. He didnt want his cage. He went so fast, he was ok the day before he became lethargic very quickly. He's always been quiet so not sure if underlying issues when i got him. I was feeding him correct food, clean water, a lot as he bathed in it. I didn't know what was wrong. Was taking him to a specialist 30 miles away today as none available tonight. We do not have many avarian vets here. Im so sad he was just a baby

 

[LaManuka]

Im in the UK, Unfortunately my beautiful Buddy passed away while sleeping on my lap in his little bed. He didnt want his cage. He went so fast, he was ok the day before he became lethargic very quickly. He's always been quiet so not sure if underlying issues when i got him. I was feeding him correct food, clean water, a lot as he bathed in it. I didn't know what was wrong. Was taking him to a specialist 30 miles away today as none available tonight. We do not have many avarian vets here. Im so sad he was just a baby

Oh how devastating! Sometimes these little ones have underlying health issues when they are sold to us, but unfortunately they can mask the symptoms very well, sometimes until it's too late. At least Buddy had you to show him love but I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and care your way!!

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Im in the UK, Unfortunately my beautiful Buddy passed away while sleeping on my lap in his little bed. He didnt want his cage. He went so fast, he was ok the day before he became lethargic very quickly. He's always been quiet so not sure if underlying issues when i got him. I was feeding him correct food, clean water, a lot as he bathed in it. I didn't know what was wrong. Was taking him to a specialist 30 miles away today as none available tonight. We do not have many avarian vets here. Im so sad he was just a baby

Oh, I'm so sorry! Losing a bird especially a baby bird is so painful. Words cannot express how terrible I feel for you. He passed being comforted by you and that certainly made him comfortable in his last moments, to know he was safe and loved. Grieve freely, friend.

 

[wrench13]

I offer my condolences to you and your husband. As had been said, parrots, as prey animals, are very adept at hiding illnesses since the outwardly weak ones are the first to be predated upon. By the time they show outward signs, they are usually already REALLY sick. It's also why it is so important to have a actual Certified Avian Vet look at and diagnose the parrot. Dog and cat vets, while they are great at those, simply do not have the training necessary for the care of parrots. I do not state these as a dig at you, but as a cautionary note for other members reading about this here. I am very sorry for your loss of Buddy.

 

[MandieJune]

Thank you i am not taking as a dig, thats ok. I did try a specialist vet but none available until following day im just confused as day before was chirping jumped on my hand and up to my shoulder to lethargy and just sleeping. Buddy was a 4 month old kakariki with years ahead of him yet within 24 hours after sneezing and just puffing uo and sleeping he died. Im so confused. Are birds so fragile, ive never had one before

 

[wrench13]

They can be very fragile! My last parrot of 8 years, a BeeBee, Max, was fine in the AM, zero signs of distress or illness, and just keeled over in the evening. Don't forget they can be subject to the many ailments that people can, like heart disease, aneurisms etc etc, all of which have zero outward signs. Add in the delicacy of their pulmonary system, very sensitive to air-borne pollutants and particles, yes they are pretty fragile. Most do not suffer from this kind of rapid decline, but it does happen.