Baby eclectus sleeps weird... ???

Hipgoddess77 · Jul 8, 2013

So my baby is between 2-1/2 to 3 months old. And since the first day I've owned him, he sleeps flat on his belly and lays his head down as well, to the side. The breeder sold one to me and one to my friend(same clutch). Well mine does it but hers does not. He told us not to worry, that my bird sleeps that way. Basically when he sleeps he looks dead. Is this normal?'
He's healthy, eats fine, been checked by a vet...

maillet · Jul 8, 2013

Young birds do this until they fledge. They are unable to balance properly. If he continues to do afterward, than encourage him toward using a perch when he sleeps.

Grinder · Jul 8, 2013

Sleeping on the stomach is pretty common for younger parrots. They don't yet have the balance needed and tend to droop their wings to counter their bad balance which is not comfortable for them when sleeping. When your Eclectus is awake does he perch on anything? Are you sure of the age? Did you get a hatch certificate?

Hipgoddess77 · Jul 8, 2013

I did not get a hatch cert and this breeder lied about his age. My vet confirmed he is much younger than I was told. So he's about 2-1/2 months as an estimate, +/- a little. He can now climb a ladder that is at about a 45 degree angle, and perches about 50% of the day, when he's awake. When he is sleeping, he doesn't perch. He sleeps like I explained , or sleeps like a chicken with head forward. It's just strange because his brother didn't do this. He seems to walk ok, just clumsy as most Ekkie babies are. But often when he's asleep he literally looks dead.

U2gal · Jul 8, 2013

2.5 months old? Is he weaned? That's awfully young.

Is he eating? How long have you had him?

Most ekkies don't wean until after 12weeks of age. Between 12-16 is the norm with my experience with handraised baby eclectus.

sodakat · Jul 9, 2013

Like Grinder said, many babies do this until they fledge.

MikeyTN · Jul 9, 2013

I think it's cute when they sleep like that as babies! Like sodakat and Grinder said already, they do sleep like that when they're young until they fledge and mature a bit.

David P · Jul 9, 2013

My key is about 7 weeks old, I've had her for 3 weeks. When I first got her(I was told she was older too) she slept like a baby. I introduced a perch and she seemed much happier TRYING to sit on perch. She was struggling with sleeping in the perch and didn't know what to do with her big heavy noggin. Several times I would be watching her fall asleep and her head fell backwards with her mouth open. She would sit like this for a few seconds then fall over backwards. She learned in a couple days to sleep near the cage wall or preferably the couch cushion. She would lean against it and sleep.
Maybe provide a very low perch with soft towels in front and behind. She feels supported and can have her feet on the perch at the same time?

Baby eclectus sleeps weird... ???

Hipgoddess77

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maillet

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Grinder

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6 Week Baby Eclectus--need help/advice!

I'm at the end of my rope here...........

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