My 48 Year Old Blue Headed Amazon, His Sleeping

[kboyett]

Hi, thank you for reading my thread.. I have had my Amazon since he was a baby.. His name is Charlie, and he is 48 years old.
Alittle history.. He's always been healthy , except a time about close to 20 years ago, somehow he swallowed a BB and got lead poisoning, but recovered and haven't had any problems till now..
He has never really cared for Chicken, but suddenly about 2 months ago, he started wanting Chicken.. I cook for my Schnauzers and when he sees Chicken, he wont be quite till I give him some.. He also loves any kind of nuts, fruit, seeds, etc. But the Chicken is the only thing new, I thought well maybe he needed protein.
Now slowly over the last week he has started acting strange when he sleeps.. He will be on his perch and stretch his head out to the cage, hook his beak on to the cage bars, and squat on the perch like he is laying down on the perch, but his beak keeps him from falling.
He is still eating and drinking good.. But the way he sleeps has me worried. I called the Vet. He said maybe he's just getting old. That the oldest Amazon he has seen was 50. And that Charlie being a senior bird, may not live much longer. I always thought, he would out live me..
Has anyone ever heard of this? If so, should I be worried? He seems fine during the day..
Thank you for your help..

 

[Ravennessa]

I googled it, and it seems to be something they do when they get older..
http://www.justanswer.com/bird-vet/37azg-blue-front-amazon-parrot-started-sleeping-holding-onto.html

Can't be a coincidence? Im hoping your old friend is healthy, I have always loved amazons!

 

[henpecked]

yes , we have another member with much the same issue with an older White front, Let me see if i can find it and post you a link. I have many older amazons and have yet to encounter this issue, I'm dying to learn more. Stand by

 

[henpecked]

Here you go ,,http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/32090-white-front-sleeping-problem.html;

Where are you located? please be active and help us to understand this issue. Sorry, welcome to the forum. Hope you'll hang around.

 

[henpecked]

I couldn't really tell much from the pictures you posted. By "Blue Headed" do you mean Blue Front or Blue Crown Mealy? How much does "Charlie" weigh? We'd love some more history about him. BTW i have about 50 amazons and two avian vets on retainer.

 

[kboyett]

Hi, Thank you Henpecked, I saw his post.. I'll be watching it closely. Thank u

 

[kboyett]

Wow, Ravennessa.. I had searched for 2 days to find something online about tjis.. never saw that.. Thank you..
I like the idea the other member had about wrapping a towel around the perch to make a platform for him.. I have one of those snuggy tunnel things , probably not meant for a Parrot Charlie's size, but lastnight, he got ontop and sort of layed on it.. Maybe when they get older, they need a nest to sleep in..

 

[torrap]

I am no expert here, but I was thinking maybe he has arthritis as some older living things have sometimes, and it's hurting him to stand for too long. I know they have meds for arthritis in birds because I could see how they give arthritis meds to a very old Zon in the sanctuary.

 

[Pajarita]

I have a zon which is about 50 years old and she is a bit of a wreck (severe liver damage) but she sleeps like all of them do, with her head tucked. I also have a 32 year old with still a bit of gout in her toes and ankles and she also sleeps the 'normal' way. I am no avian vet but I would think that the reason why they hang on with their beaks is because their toes are not 'locking' as they should so they feel insecure.