Why is Max Crying? Help!

[HRH Di]

It's Spring Break, so my 2 boys and I have been home every day this week and we've left the cage doors open. Max, my Alex, hasn't come out of his cage since Monday morning. This afternoon, he's started be very vocal - not only his usual chirping, but also screeching, some squawking and some noises that sound like he's crying. I can't get him into a vet until tomorrow...none of the avian vets are in today...seriously! He's on his perch and is a little hunched - which he does from time to time (we call it his vulture stance).

Other than his self-imposed isolation and noisiness, he's acting normal. He got a new toy today and played with it quite a bit. I've seen him eat and drink. I think he's starting to molt because we've found a couple tail feathers and more body feathers lately. We've left him in his cage but gone in and checked on him often.

Could he just be out of sorts because he's starting to molt? The lady we got him from said he was a male, but if she's wrong, is it possible for a 13 month old female bird to get egg-bound?

Should I just calm down? Since he's behaving normally in every other aspect?

 

[parrotqueen]

It could be molting, as that is very stressful for birds. You might want to buy 'Parrot Molting Supplement'. You can probably order it online, I'm not sure if you can find some at your local pet shop. I used to have some for my boys.

I don't know if it could be egg-binding, I might see if I can find out anything.

 

[HRH Di]

Thanks for the suggestion of molting supplement. The local pet store doesn't have any - I called. I can't get to the closest bird store before they close, so I'll head that way tomorrow.

I've googled constipation and hope get a closer look at him in a bit. He's never very happy about us reaching in to his cage, so we're going to try to coax him out.

 

[HRH Di]

Okay, according to the web, one remedy for constipation is apples. So, I've grated half an apple and put it in his cage. He's already eaten half of it, so I'm hoping if that's the problem, we're on the way to get it fixed.

He's moving around his cage just fine and his "vent" looks clean. I'm going to watch very closely over night, then get the molt supplement tomorrow and see if I can get him into see a vet.

 

[HRH Di]

Max is doing much better. He's out of his cage and on my son's shoulder. He had some Cream of Wheat and is watching TV with us.

 

[antoinette]

Sounds to me like molting, stress, not coming out the cage etc.
Continue with the apples, great advise given there.
Glad to hear that he is improving and out of the cage.
Keep us posted

 

[HRH Di]

Thanks for the reassurance. He came out of his cage again this morning and seems to be back to his usual self.

 

[parrotqueen]

Glad to hear he's doing better! I hope you can find molting supplement, it worked wonders for my boys.

 

[antoinette]

Thanks for the reassurance. He came out of his cage again this morning and seems to be back to his usual self.

Glad to hear he came out, and is back to his usual self.
Enjoy your birdie time......