JPercopo
New member
Hi All, I'm a new bird mom... I had budgies from when I was little until about 15 years ago, and recently (4 days ago!) adopted two young (6 months?) lutino cockatiels. The first two days they were very chill, a little nervous coming out of the cage but once on your finger or shoulder they'd stay there all day. However I'm a little worried about one. She (?) had a blood feather, they told us about it when we first picked her up (they butchered her poor wings when they clipped her...) and I think she may still be in pain. Since about yesterday, she's been SUPER cranky- if she's on your finger or arm she's ok, but watch out if you try to touch her while she's on my shoulder or on the desk next to me! She lost the shoulder privilege because she wouldn't step up, instead attacking my fingers (not hard bites, tiny nibbles, but she looked P.O'd and it was definitely a warning!) She'll also make these little cheapy sounds while trying to bite, I don't think they're "love" sounds. I'm thinking mad or scared, or maybe in pain? I'm trying to let her be, but she keeps picking at her wing. She tried a high jump earlier and kept her wing a little out for a few minutes. Due to COVID, there's no vets that will see her for another 2 weeks so I'm a little worried for her. Does anyone know how long the pain from a blood feather lasts? Is there anything I can do to make her feel better, and is there a chance of infection? If so, I'll exaggerate and try getting her into the pet hospital, but that would be last resort. She doesn't seem to sleep more than the other one, but she's definitely acting different than she was. I also know its a new environment and her true colors most likely didn't come out right away, but I guess I'm just worried for her, more so since I can't take her to the vet right away
Also, those squeaky noises while trying to bite- is she mad or in pain? No one is touching her while she's making them, but will fight to stay on my shoulder or on the desk next to me! Thanks in advance! Oh, one more question, the other one every once in a while looks like she's trying to regurgitate but doesn't, and will do it every few minutes or so. Is she just "adjusting" her food in her crop? My budgies never did that! They were in a terrible environment, so we took them without a second thought, and want to make sure we do everything we can for them to give them a happy and healthy life.