My Girlfriend's Lovebirds Died Suddenly and We Don't Know Why, Could Anyone Give Us Some Advice?

[IcyKioshii]

Hi, so my girlfriend had two lovebirds, a blue female named Blueberry who was about 2 years old, and a green male named Mango who was about a year old. So the two were bonded and the girl actually laid 6 unfertile eggs about 2 months ago but yea. Everything seemed okay, they had food and water, no changes in their environment or diet, diet consisted of seeds, pellets and occasionally fruit/veggies (all were checked to be lovebird safe before providing) and yea. She checks on them daily and yesterday they seemed completely healthy, being loud and flying around or cuddling. But when she went to check on them this morning they were both dead laying on the bottom of the cage. It seems like the girl died first because the male looked like he was trying to wake her up when he died and was still somewhat warm when she picked them up. She thinks the male died of heartbreak or heart-attack from the shock? She also noticed that the girl's toes were curled and tongue was dry, not sure if that means something.

Now we are thinking there is not any sort of contamination of the food or water because the same food and water is used for her two cockatiels and her brother's budgies and they are completely fine. She does not use any chemicals or sprays or smoke/vape in that room and is always extra careful about making sure they are in a safe environment when they are taken out to fly around the room. So yea, can anyone give us any advice on what might have happened? As expected she is distraught and trying to make up reason's to blame herself, and I feel like if we can at least find out what happened it might at least provide some closure.

So far my gf was talking to her brother and they are wondering if it might be the water. Apparently every so often the pipes are cleaned by officials and when that's done the water becomes white for a bit, still safe for consumption but yea. About half a year ago, one of her little brother's budgies actually died in a similar way, one day he was okay, the next day he woke up to find the bird dead. Only question is why would it not affect the other birds? For example she's had her cockatiels for like 4-5 years and they are completely fine, and her brother's other budgie was okay too. Could it be a genetic factor that made them more vulnerable to water contaminants? Now with this in mind my gf is gonna only give her birds bottled water in hopes that this does not happen again. As for a necropsy, she has already gone ahead and buried them, and I doubt they have the money available for one at this time anyway. But yea I appreciate any advice anyone can give.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I'm desperately sorry. Teflon, even slightly overheated, even rooms away, is the most common villain. AND teflon hides in heaters, blowdryers, all kinds of stuff. If you are up to wading through these links, they all offer good thoughts. Also, Wrench's thread above is good to read. https://www.parrotforums.com/thread...other-coatings-deadly-to-your-parrots.101861/

Search results for query: sudden death causes

I wish you both,, and the budgies peace.

 

[Nhhotti]

Hi, so my girlfriend had two lovebirds, a blue female named Blueberry who was about 2 years old, and a green male named Mango who was about a year old. So the two were bonded and the girl actually laid 6 unfertile eggs about 2 months ago but yea. Everything seemed okay, they had food and water, no changes in their environment or diet, diet consisted of seeds, pellets and occasionally fruit/veggies (all were checked to be lovebird safe before providing) and yea. She checks on them daily and yesterday they seemed completely healthy, being loud and flying around or cuddling. But when she went to check on them this morning they were both dead laying on the bottom of the cage. It seems like the girl died first because the male looked like he was trying to wake her up when he died and was still somewhat warm when she picked them up. She thinks the male died of heartbreak or heart-attack from the shock? She also noticed that the girl's toes were curled and tongue was dry, not sure if that means something.

Now we are thinking there is not any sort of contamination of the food or water because the same food and water is used for her two cockatiels and her brother's budgies and they are completely fine. She does not use any chemicals or sprays or smoke/vape in that room and is always extra careful about making sure they are in a safe environment when they are taken out to fly around the room. So yea, can anyone give us any advice on what might have happened? As expected she is distraught and trying to make up reason's to blame herself, and I feel like if we can at least find out what happened it might at least provide some closure.

So far my gf was talking to her brother and they are wondering if it might be the water. Apparently every so often the pipes are cleaned by officials and when that's done the water becomes white for a bit, still safe for consumption but yea. About half a year ago, one of her little brother's budgies actually died in a similar way, one day he was okay, the next day he woke up to find the bird dead. Only question is why would it not affect the other birds? For example she's had her cockatiels for like 4-5 years and they are completely fine, and her brother's other budgie was okay too. Could it be a genetic factor that made them more vulnerable to water contaminants? Now with this in mind my gf is gonna only give her birds bottled water in hopes that this does not happen again. As for a necropsy, she has already gone ahead and buried them, and I doubt they have the money available for one at this time anyway. But yea I appreciate any advice anyone can give.

Not sure if this will be of any help depending on when the water was given to the lovebird pair; chlorine in city water supply may be a reason for the pair suddenly dying and why the budgies were okay. I’ve read that if you let chlorinated water sit for some time(i think 24hrs) it will slowly dissipate from the tap water when set aside and left alone. I’m not sure if birds can tolerate chlorine content in their water supply. However chlorine being a major component of actual household bleach is kind of disturbing!!
With birds being so vulnerable to so many various environmental factors within a household that can prove to be fatal or toxic; I feel that my theory might have some bearing on what killed the pair but why the others were fine; because depending on the time of the water consumption for each grouping of birds could explain the difference to why the ones lived and why the lovebirds died(provided that they consumed the water within that 24 hour rule for chlorine dissipation of the tap water used.
Hope this helps and provides some more insight into what potentially happened. Sorry for your loss!
The take home may be that only bottled water of whatever your personal preference is may be the way to go and prevent another casualty bin your aviary.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

OH NO! I'm so sorry to hear the pair died! It's a wonder why and how most birds die. Could have been Teflon on a heater, could be a fly farted, could be the water. Could have been anything. I wish I could be of more help! I lost a pair of green cheeks when I used a (Supposedly) safe-for-pets cleaner. I cleaned up, left, and came back to two dead birds. It was awful.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Many city water supplies contain chloramines too snd they don't dissipate like chlorine does. I have an excellent safe, tested well.
I

 

[JjEjFjF]

OH NO! I'm so sorry to hear the pair died! It's a wonder why and how most birds die. Could have been Teflon on a heater, could be a fly farted, could be the water. Could have been anything. I wish I could be of more help! I lost a pair of green cheeks when I used a (Supposedly) safe-for-pets cleaner. I cleaned up, left, and came back to two dead birds. It was awful.

It would be helpful if you would let everyone know the name of the cleaner.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

It would be helpful if you would let everyone know the name of the cleaner.

Ooops! My bad! It was 'Nature's Miracle'.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

It's an enzymatic dog and cat urine stain remover. I just read the product information and it says "pet safe when used as directed" but that doesn't mean bird safe.

 

[rheashard2]

It's sad for something like this to happen. You have my condolences.

 

[JjEjFjF]

It's an enzymatic dog and cat urine stain remover. I just read the product information and it says "pet safe when used as directed" but that doesn't mean bird safe.

You mean “evidently” not bird safe. When something says pet safe,one would assume all pets.

 

[JjEjFjF]

Ooops! My bad! It was 'Nature's Miracle'.

Thanks for that info. Hopefully it will help others.
So sorry this happened to your birds.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Mine, too. If we came home to a house full of deceased budgies we would be so upset. We love all 19 of them, but there are a few that are literally our children that we raised and nurtured. I know I will lose them someday but I hope it's a natural end of life.