Desperately Seeking Help

[sablestarr]

My female, Lita, has been acting strangly since yesterday. I had noticed that my birds werent making as much "music" as usual and mentioned this to my husband who agreed. Anyhow, yesterday I found Lita on the bottom of the cage sleeping. Just standing there with her head in her feathers - sleeping. When she got up she immediately climbed up to eat and continued to eat for awhile. I placed some lettuce leaves in the bottom of the cage and she immediately went up to them and started eating. She's been very quiet today, sitting on her perch, sleeping. She is VERY big. Always has been really but she's all puffed up and doesnt really respond to me the way she normally does. I asked someone at a local bird shop what the problem was and he said that she might be nesting.

I'm just very confused because when I brought her home a year ago I was told that she was a girl (even though her beak was blue). The seller had felt underneath her bottom and confirmed that she was a girl.

I'm confused in two situations here. Not sure if she actually is a girl and what the problem is with her these past days. If she IS in fact nesting, wouldnt she approach the box? I have a nesting box and she hasnt went near it. I placed some paper at the bottom of the cage but I'm still at a loss.

I just lost Clicky a year ago to a heart problem and I had her for about 5-6 years. I cant bear the thought of losing Lita. I'm really at a standstill not knowing what to do and came here in the hopes of finding out what's really wrong with her. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[catschair]

Do you have an avian vet? Might be a good time for a checkup -- if she "feels" wrong to you, I would trust your instincts. Do you have other birds who are acting strangely? Is it very hot? Has anything changed in their world?

[Copper]

... and what type of bird is she?

[sablestarr]

Catschair, I agree it's time for a checkup. I dont have a regular avian vet but I have one that saw my other baby, Clicky, when she was sick. To be perfectly honest with you - Lita is actually acting quite normal again. But I will take her to the doc anyway because, like you said, I should trust my instincts. Moe-Moe-Moe is my other baby and he hasnt changed a bit. It HAS been very hot and I'm very careful about the heat and the A/C as well. It's cooled off here now though and will be cool for a few days. As far as changes, nothing at all.....not in their environment, food, etc.

Copper, they are Budgies.

[catschair]

Keep us posted! I'm sure everyone will be fine, but it never hurts to check. (and you could post some pics while we are waiting..... )

[Monica]

Can you supply us with a picture of your budgies?

I agree though, an avian vet would be your best bet... could be something like a bacterial or fungal infection that may not go away on it's own... it does NOT sound like nesting behavior to me, especially if this may be a male.