My poor Mango

I noticed over the weekend that Mango, one of my aviary budgies, was struggling to fly. Of course I picked him up and put him in a hospital cage and brought him in inside. Luckily, our avian vet was on after hours duty on Sunday between 10 and 11, so I rushed there as soon as I could. The vet said that there weren’t many signs of illness (his poops are normal, he has a clean vent, he has been eating since he moved into the cage, he is preening, no fluffing up, etc), however his left wing feathers are very tatty and when he flies he is a little off balanced, and can’t fly very far. The vet also mentioned that he seems very weak. He was given a shot of antibiotics and a shot of anti-inflammatories just in case, and we visited the vet again yesterday for a second check up.

My theory is that, because of his wing (I’m still not sure what happened, I am worried that maybe he has been plucking - his wing is not injured, his feathers are just looking very tatty and he is missing a few, but he is molting at the moment), he has struggled to get to the food dishes that are a little elevated. Maybe he hasn’t been able to eat properly for a few days, and that is why he seems weak, on top of struggling to fly.

He is now eating very well, demolishing his mix and his fresh veggies, so I am hoping for the best. Will keep him separate until his wing feathers grow back properly and he is able to fly again.

Does anyone have any additional thoughts? Here is a little pic I took outside the vet on Sunday, he’s such a cute show budgie.

What a sweet little bird.
reebsie, there are few people here whom I respect more than you, for your devotion and vigilance.
I wish you and Mango the best.
Mango, you little scamp, get well, already!

Sorry to see Mango is unwell. Glad you observed, had appropriate concerns, and housed him separately. Hopefully just a case of molting difficulty and nothing worse. A voracious appetite is a good sign!

Please keep us updated!