My Lorikeet's appetite change

Hi All

My name is Emily from Australia & I am new to the forum! I own a gorgeous male 2 and a half year old Rainbow Lorikeet called Aladdin who is like my child! I am sure you all know how in love you can be with these birds

I have a little question about Aladdin's appetite as I am a little bit worried.

Since I got him he has always had a massive appetite and was a little bit overweight at one stage only briefly and put on a diet! He would pounce on his bowl and scoff the lot like it was his last meal every time. He is quite a large lorikeet in general as it is. Anyway, lately he has shown far less interest in his food. When I put in his morning wet mix he will go over and have a couple of goes and then leaves the rest which is very out of character for him. He is only eating a very small amount of his fruit and veges if at all. He still eats the occasional treat though suprise suprise!

I understand before that his appetite was a bit too crazy so wondering maybe his appetite is now more normal? In the evening he does into a smaller cage with his newspaper he likes to sleep under and if I hold the bowl in front of him he will eat an ok amount.

He is given vetafarm golden lori wet mix and the dry mix is offered too. I give him apples, rockmelon, pear, corn, brocolli, carrots and native plants.

In every other aspect he is absolutely fine. He is vocal and playful, has a little fly when he comes out and is bright etc although looking a bit skinnier. Could the change in appetite due to him being extremely hormonal at the moment? The onset of winter? He has always been pretty hormonal, he regurgitates a lot and dances around and humps alot :huh: I have noticed this eating stuff begin as the weather has gotten colder. A month or so back he had a bit of a respiratory virus which he quickly recovered from and at the time he had full blood works done and physical examination- all good.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, I love him dearly and worry all the time haha

Sorry for the essay, just wanted to make sure I gave you all the info :laugh:

Thanks!
Em

Any changes in appetite are potentially serious. Do you monitor his weight regularly, and if so, has he lost any? Was he on antibiotics for his infection? Those can mess with the healthy balance in a birds digestive tract, but I don't know enough about loris to have any suggestions what to do about it. It wouldn't be a bad idea to give the vet a call though. If anything, it will put your mind at ease

I'm relatively new myself, but any change you recognize would certainly support a trip to the vet; if just for a checkup on weight as Kiwibird suggests above. I think these little birdies can change from time to time with no real problems, but you are seeing this so rest your worries and have it checked out.

I sincerely hope it's nothing more but maybe change in weather, hormones, etc. etc. and Aladdin is just fine. It seems every day that passes and the more time we spend with our birds; the more we worry and see those subtle little things that make us scared. Just go with your gut feeling and have him checked out... you're doing the right thing.

Our Green Bean eats baby food fruits and veggies with nectar mix and we also give her fruit juices that she loves... Pomegranate, Apple, Orange. I worry that may be too much sugar so we water it all down. I'll also mix in some powdered nectar in the fruit juice as well. One thing she does love is when my wife gives her steamed broccoli. Strange diet; but that's what she loves and has been on for 7 months now... and believe me; she's VOCAL and has quite the personality!

Good luck and prayers for Aladdin and please keep us posted on how he's doing. I wish the Lorikeet forum was more active. These are amazing little birds !!!

bgriffin70 said:

I'm relatively new myself, but any change you recognize would certainly support a trip to the vet; if just for a checkup on weight as Kiwibird suggests above. I think these little birdies can change from time to time with no real problems, but you are seeing this so rest your worries and have it checked out.

I sincerely hope it's nothing more but maybe change in weather, hormones, etc. etc. and Aladdin is just fine. It seems every day that passes and the more time we spend with our birds; the more we worry and see those subtle little things that make us scared. Just go with your gut feeling and have him checked out... you're doing the right thing.

Our Green Bean eats baby food fruits and veggies with nectar mix and we also give her fruit juices that she loves... Pomegranate, Apple, Orange. I worry that may be too much sugar so we water it all down. I'll also mix in some powdered nectar in the fruit juice as well. One thing she does love is when my wife gives her steamed broccoli. Strange diet; but that's what she loves and has been on for 7 months now... and believe me; she's VOCAL and has quite the personality!

Good luck and prayers for Aladdin and please keep us posted on how he's doing. I wish the Lorikeet forum was more active. These are amazing little birds !!!

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I agree!
Sometimes they go through appetite changes. We recently went from 3 feedings with snacks throughout the day to two feedings and one snack time since they stopped eating their 3rd meal of the day for some reason. Hopefully your Aladdin is doing much better and not giving you a fright anymore!

Green Bean is now doing the same thing, sort-of... she used to just love baby food mixed with her nectar powder; but now she's more liking just eating the nectar powder plain. I always like her to eat the baby food to just know she's getting fruits and veggies and it always seemed to work great; her colors and health and vocals are just awesome. Kinda worry with all this travel of late... I hope your birds are doing well!