Strange behavior...loss of balance and dropping head down

[Powder]

So this has been progressing for some time and I can't figure out what's going on. My canary is going through his normal molt...but I've noticed first that he's holding his head to the side...sort of like he's looking down at something. Sometimes he drops his head way down below his body, it's very strange. Tonight he totally lost his balance when I was cleaning his cage and fell off his perch. He's back up now, but sitting like a vulture. His head and neck lean way far to the right, but he still hops around and otherwise looks fine. Could his bones just be week? Or something missing in his diet? Otherwise he seems alert and aware and mentally fine but maybe he's loosing muscle or ??

[Monica]

I don't know if anyone could tell you what's wrong with your canary, and your best bet is to take him to an avian vet to get evaluated.

[Powder]

I think a trip to the vet would stress him out too much right now....I'm hoping someone might have seen this before or can sugg. some special food or vitamins....

[Monica]

I don't know if anyone has, and sometimes your best bet is an avian vet trip because not taking him could potentially make things worse... unless you have an avian vet willing to do house-calls, which can be expensive.

[Powder]

The other weird thing he's been doing through his molt is sitting w/ one leg up on a square sorta cuttle bone and one leg down on a type of nest...always looked a little awkward to me, but I figured he's molting and that's what's comfortable right now. He stays there most of the time in that position. I'm leaving for a few days, he has fresh food, water, treats and 1/4 of hard boiled egg w/ shell.

[CanaryLover]

Is he breathing faster than normal?

[poohbear]

It may be what gouldian breeders call 'twirling'....see link

Lady Gouldian Finch .com - Twirling, Stargazing, Flamingo Effect

[Powder]

He's breathing normally....maybe it's a mini stroke? He still eats, drinks, but looses his balance and has the droopy head but his eyes are alert...sits in one position unless eating or drinking w/ leg up on cuttle bone block and one leg on straw nest. His head drops down on the nest now when he's sitting there or sleeping there (I've been on vacation and just came back). Maybe posting a pic. would help, but it might be hard to look.

[gbird]

As good as the advice you get here may be, please remember that we are not Avian Vets, and to diagnose an illness over the internet is close to impossible.

Please take your baby to a vet.

[Powder]

Poobear, thanks for the link.
It sounds right. I'm going to try as many sugg. as they offer and I'll also let the breeder that I purchased him from know what his current condition is, couldn't hurt. It's good to know that he'll most likely live on, just a bit off...or on the floor possibly. I wonder if when the molt is over he'll sing or not. I would think he might try because he was great singer.