Budgie not eating or drinking on second day

Hello everyone, this is my first post here so I'm sorry if I get anything wrong, I was just concearned and just had to find a way to speak to someone with experience, since I'm a new bird owner.

Yesterday I got a lovely little budgie girl from sort of a bird shop half close to where I live. We got the cage there, the food, and water dispenser. She was very calm on our way home and as soon as I got there I cleaned the bottom of the cage and put on the perches. Since then she hasn't quite moved much. I have put food on those cage built things with a little perch with the food they gave me. I have talked alot to her, I've been reading books and random things on the internet, she's also been to herself a bit, and the whole time I haven't seen her eat or drink, she hasn't really left her perch and I'm not sure what to do.

If anyone has any tips for a new bird owner with a very stactic bird I'd apreciate it a bunch



Greetings
Guibirb
(And Gila (The budgie))

TL;DR got my bird yesterday, hasn't eaten still

1. What did you use to clean the cage? You cannot use chemical cleaners in a home with a bird unless they are avian safe....You also cannot use scented products, air fresheners, candles, sprays, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, Teflon/PTFE/PFOA/PFCs (not in the same house--even on a separate floor). Do you have an avian certified vet near you, because you should probably consult them. If you see any rhythmic tail bobbing/pumping while she is just standing still/perched OR hear any wheezing when she breathes, that is an emergency. Similarly, if she starts perching on the bottom of her cage for no reason, that is also an emergency.

2. She is probably very scared...and that could explain her terrified behavior. Birds move in slow motion and change is very hard on them---but that doesn't negate the fact that her not eating/drinking IS a problem.

3. I am going to post a link to someone else's thread. They got a new bird and were also a new parrot owner. I wrote 2 novels about parrot care on there, so I hope you read them--- it covers a lot of stuff that you will need to know.
Please read my posts on this link---the longest 2 that I hope you will read are towards the middle/bottom of the thread on page 1--scroll down and you will see the 2 "novels" to which I am referring:
http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/83478-my-new-king-parrot-scares-me.html <--- it discusses why you will eventually need to change out that perch, what to look for in sick birds, what products are unsafe around a bird's sensitive respiratory system, feeding, toxic foods etc etc.

4. What was he eating at the shop, and did you change it or leave it the same? Always leave it the same initially (even if it isn't the best diet) because a stubborn bird can starve if they are picky enough.

5. Are you sure he knows where his food/water are located? If he was used to different looking water dish etc, that could also be a problem.


Also--- although you should stick with the food and water she knows for the time being, you will eventually want to switch to a stainless water dish, as the dispensers are bacterial hazards.. She will need a mix of seeds and pellets once she adjusts (not junk seeds like sunflowers)--be careful to buy non-fortified seeds when you are also feeding pellets, as they can OD on vitamins. She will also need daily fresh fruit/veg (fruit can be very high in sugar so be careful with providing too much, and avoid citrus unless fed like 1x a week in a VERY small portion. remember, a grape to a parakeet is like 300 to a human)---if you read those posts of mine in the link, there are lots of specifics about washing water dishes, what foods are not safe etc, the importance of toys and how to get them not to be afraid of toys etc...


Are you certain she hasn't eaten or drank anything? You might try placing something like a small apple slice in there or some millet (not from your hand, but just in a dish or clipped to the side). You DO NOT want to scare her more, but you also need her to eat something....Birds can get blood-sugar issues fast when not eating.
Plain oatmeal (non-fortified) mashed up and cooked with a banana (and cooled) could also be something she might like to try...My thought is to attempt to get her to try something wet because that will also provide a bit of hydration. That having been said, birds don't drink much, so it's often rare to see them drinking.

Just a few observations from what I can see in the photo, but the cage looks very bare. Does she have any additional perches? What about toys? If she doesn’t have anywhere else to sit or anything else to do, sitting there on the one perch is really the only thing she can do.... If they aren’t hiding out of view, she needs several more perches in various materials/widths (one each of natural wood, rope and cement would be an excellent combo in addition to the plastic one) and some toys. Fortunately, Budgie cage accessories are very affordable, easy to find and available in any chain pet store (or I’m sure wherever you bought her too). You want the tiny toys and perches designed for budgies or XS parrots, bigger ones may be a bit intimidating for such a small bird.

Next up, is she pooping? If she’s pooping, she is eating! Birds digest food very rapidly and if they don’t eat frequently, they will quickly process and eliminate everything in their digestive tract. Budgies have especially high metabolisms. They also eat tiny tiny quantities of food compared to the truly massive portions most people offer in their dishes, so you never notice the amount of food going down at all (though you may see a mess at the bottom of the cage as they are messy eaters). Birds, especially new birds in a new environment, can sometimes hide that they are eating because as prey animals, eating=venerable to predation. As for drinking, parrots should get most of their hydration from fresh fruits and vegetables (clean water should still always be available, of course). They don’t drink from a dish very much and when they do, the few drops they take in won’t make the water level go down noticeably and it’s usually a very quick drink that may not be in front of you (again, predators at the watering hole instinct kicks in). Even after 11 years, our bird does not like to be looked at while drinking and will stop if he sees you’ve taken notice!

Lastly, put yourself in her shoes for a moment- she is a very tiny and totally defenseless bird who was presumably around other budgies in a bigger cage/aviary at the store and is now all alone in a smaller cage in an unfamiliar environment with a giant predatory looking creature (you!) that has taken an interest in her. That’s a lot for a little bird to process. You are absolutely doing the right thing by talking to her and getting her used to you as a non threatening presence, but it will take time and patience for her to start trusting you and trusting she’s in a safe environment.

Lots of great advice from kiwibird and noodles123 above. Seriously, they KNOW their stuff and have given me great advice during my very short time on this forum. I’m also new to birds, but I can 100% say that our relationship with Skye, our brand new budgie that we picked up on Black Friday, wouldn’t be where it is today without their advice. As well as the advice from many others on this forum. Try to be patient, and let your new feathered baby guide you on this new adventure. Remember everything has to be done in the birds time, not ours. Try to think of it like a baby that is learning to talk, walk, or potty train. You can’t force it. You just have to wait until they are ready then help guide them. Definitely keep talking to her. She needs to learn the sound of your voice. That will help her learn you mean no harm. Also don’t force ANYTHING. Patience and understanding will get you much farther much faster than any alternative. Millet is also a GREAT tool for bribery. Seriously, never underestimate the power of millet. Millet and some patience can convince them to do just about anything. Stick with it, and you will have a happy, loving bird pretty quickly.

One trick I learned to see if the bird is eating )if the bird is on seed) is to take the food bowl out and gently blow into it. Gently is the key. Any seeds that have been hulled have been eaten and their husk will fly in the air. If you blow to hard then the seeds will also blow out of the bowl. Obviously to be safe you will want to throw away whatever hasn’t been eaten and then wash the bowl. Human saliva has germs that could make the bird sick. Better safe than sorry on that one. And seed is relatively cheap in comparison to any vet visit...

I wish you the best of luck, and I hope your adventure is as rewarding as mine has been!


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Hello everyone here!
Thank you for your concearn.
Because I was very ruffled and the fact the posts had to be approved before going out lead me to other forums, and I've got my questions answered, but regardless, thank you for your concearn.

Don't worry, many more things are abound!
I love birds and I'd be the last one to be a source of pain or sadness to my feathery friend.

Thank you very much, you tips will be read throughly.

These have been posted all day---since very early-- 3:53 AM. I am not aware of any approval process....I would strongly suggest that you read what was written, but I am glad you have found some solace.
I hope you read the posts I/others linked, because as a new bird-owner, you will need them (and they aren't necessarily common knowledge).
What they said about a bigger cage is 1000% correct---birds who are in smaller cages are not being treated well (as in neglect)....Don't let neglect be your standard...your cage may be be fine temporarily, but is unfair in the long-run.

Guibirb said:

Hello everyone here!
Thank you for your concearn.
Because I was very ruffled and the fact the posts had to be approved before going out lead me to other forums, and I've got my questions answered, but regardless, thank you for your concearn.


Don't worry, many more things are abound!
I love birds and I'd be the last one to be a source of pain or sadness to my feathery friend.

Thank you very much, you tips will be read throughly.

Click to expand...

I hope you choose to stick around! There is much to be gained and little to lose. I personally would love to hear how things go with your new baby. As I said before I’m new to birds. It’s nice to hear from others that are new in this, as well as those that have the tried and true information. The simple act of reaching out shows how committed you are, and that alone deserves a pat on the back.

Either way, I wish you the best of luck.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hello again, by now I have read every line of both the posts you have made and the thread noodles123 linked.
All is very much apreciated, and I'm gonna be taking all I've read into account, and I'm gonna be giving little Gila the best life I can provide.
Many thanks!

Gila is a very pretty girl!! Congratulations!
I have two budgies, and they love their veggies! Especially leafy salad greens.
While your girl is settling in you can offer millit spray , very loved by them!!
You can take paper or cardboard and make toys from them and punch a hole through and use a plastic zip tie to hang in the cage. Mine also like to roll around little balls.