Sun Conure Fluffing

Hi all,

Two days ago I got a new sun conure, (6 mo. old) and noticed yesterday he was puffed up and falling asleep on his perch.

I am sure he is stressed from travels- store, to car, to new house, cage, people, hands, voices, etc.

I don't think he slept much the first night at all (understandable) because I went to bed and he was on his perch quiet but wide awake and when I woke up he was on the same perch still quiet and wide awake. I know it's a lot to take in. He was already partially hand trained so after about an hour of sitting with my hand in his cage he stepped up and I had him out and on me for another (roughly) hour or so while I just sat with him.

Later in the day was when I noticed in his cage he was perched and fluffed. He did go in his bed last night for sleep and seems to love it. He went to bed around 5 on his own and when I woke up I uncovered his cage and talked to him to get him out of his bed.. where he came out and went back in twice. (talking to me from inside his bed)

When he goes to his bed he stays fluffed in his bed. Today he has come out a few times to eat, and when talked to (not fluffed & seemingly alert & squawking) but then he goes right back in his bed where he's fluffed again. I am thinking it's just been an overwhelming few days and he's loving his bed and relax time.

Should I worry about the fluffing?

I had a green cheek for 4 years and other than occasional fluffing when sleepy or wanting to be pet, he didn't stay fluffed for very long.

Thank you!

The fluffing is normal parrot behavior, all birds will do this, it's basically their way of getting warm (their feathers are great insulation). It is perfectly normal to find him fluffed up and sleeping on a perch or his bed, maybe one foot even tucked under him. My cockatiels will fluff up all the time, along with beak grinding, which is something they do when they're content and comfortable. However if it's a constant thing, it may be something to check out. He is young and so maybe just a behavior he picked up on. Of course any new bird should be brought to an avian vet to ensure there are no health issues. Birds will also fluff up when scared or unsure, and will make themselves as big as they can to deter a threat.

What happens when you reach for him while he's in his bed? Does he lunge, waver back and forth, any aggression at all?

Welcome to the wonderful world of parrots! They have lots of strange (to us) behaviors that you learn to pick up on as you learn more about them.

He doesn’t show ANY signs of aggression. He’s very relaxed. Which, when I got my GCC a few years back, he was scared so he would bite. This one is very laid back... currently sleeping in my collar bone and tucked behind my scarf. He’s super affectionate and when he’s out of his cage shows no signs of feeling ill. I just worry because I know they say birds take a while and don’t show their signs of discomfort. I want to be sure he’s ok since I noticed he looks pretty exhausted and fluffed when in his cage. It’s been a stressful weekend for him so I’m thinking that’s it.

While fluffing to keep warm IS normal parrot behavior as well as sleeping on a perch (even favoring one foot), you should still be vigilant.

Check his eyes and nasal passages for 'discharge' and monitor his droppings to make sure they are fully formed (and not all watery).

Sunnies will often sneeze as an attention getting behavior, but there shouldn't be any sort of discharge from sneezing (except the occasion 'clear' sneeze every now and then).

Droppings are great indicators of any potential illness. So if his droppings are fine and he's eating/drinking normally, you don't have anything to worry about.

Keep in mind though, that sunnies need anywhere from 10-14hrs of uninterrupted sleep each night. The more active the sun, the more sleep they need. Skittles tends to sleep for 12-16hrs with 14 being the average, BUT, he is also free flighted and out all day.

I've been checking his eyes and droppings and his beak and all looks fine.


He's also molting. So I'm not sure but I am thinking this could also have something to do with it?

I took him out for about an hour yesterday and he's active and not fluffed while out. He also has been better today.
I am going to monitor him and if I have to, call the avian vet. I think he is ok though. I just worry because I know they say birds don't like to show when they don't feel well and since he's so new I want to be sure he is ok.

He has also been sitting on his top top perch, not at all close to the bottom of his cage which I read is also a good sign?


Thank you for your response and sharing!

Molting is definitely a 'stressful' time for birds (compare it with baby teething for instance). With new feathers growing in, he just might be trying to get more comfortable.


It can affect their sleep and daily habits depending on the level of molt etc.

But again, the droppings will tell you A LOT.