Behavior Change

Okay, not to sound rude; just saying... I already know that I need to seek out an Avian vet to clarify health screening, blood work, etc. So please, I am just asking if anyone else has experienced this with their bird(s)... ???

So the past few months have indeed been stressful for the family. I lost a job several months ago; still jobless. I am at home most every day hunting jobs online. Wife is stay at home mom; things are a bit stressful right now.

Our Green Bean, I especially notice; it just seems like her behavior has changed quite a bit, and I can't put a finger on it. She doesn't appear sick or unhealthy; her colors are good, appetite good, etc. Poop seems normal, no frequent sneezing.

The first obvious thing is she just seems to have stopped talking as much as she normally does. She used to speak with a happy, high-pitched voice and talk throughout the day. I notice now that she will talk in the mornings when waking, off and on through the day... just doesn't sound the same, not in the high pitch happy tone as often. It's subtle, but I notice it.

She is generally active, but here's our dilemma... about a year ago; we moved from southern Oregon to western Kentucky. No major temperature variations, much more humid here though. Beanie loved to "go outside" when I would walk her around the yard, etc. But now that we're here in Kentucky; it's terribly uncomfortable with high humidity, the insects are very bad... aggressive horse flies, bees, wasps, mosquitoes, ticks, etc. etc. It's terrible this time of year. If I do take her outdoors, I notice bugs swarming us almost instantly. Therefore; nothing near the outdoor time as when we were in Oregon.

Other routines are most often the same... shower daily, diet the same, plays with toys and does talk.

I do notice that often times, she will just lie on the bottom of her cage and hold her balls she plays with. She will squawk at them as if she's "talking to her eggs." She plays with those toys and it's hilarious. What I'm trying to see is, yes, she does appear at times as if she's terribly bored.

Peculiar things I've seen are her stretching her wings once in awhile, and when doing so, she will whine as if she sounds like she's crying. Her wings are fine visually; I've checked. Just acts like it hurts her to stretch. Yet she flaps her wings just fine all the time. When stretching; she will yawn frequently. Another thing... she scratches at herself and picks at her feathers with her beak all the time. I wonder about mites ??? I have asked an avian vet about it and all she ever says is more Vitamin A. Keep in mind; we're in Paducah, Kentucky. The nearest Avian vet is either Nashville, over two hours away. Or go to St. Louis, and that's three hours away !!!
I don't care for the vet in Nashville; haven't tried the one in St. Louis. And as typical; being unemployed now; I feel terrible because I cannot afford to take her to be evaluated properly.

She does have terrible pin feathers; I help her with those every day. Sometimes get the waxy coating off, the others may be too sore because oh yes, she will let me know it.

She seems to lose a few feathers from time to time; perhaps she's having a molt at this time ??? She acts as if she doesn't want to be held and now her beak has grown out again; terribly sharp.

What should I do?
If I had the money; I would schedule a vet checkup for Tuesday or ASAP. That just isn't an option; I don't even have anything really to sell or pawn for cash at the moment. Am I over-reacting and should I just let her be for the next few days to see how she acts ??

We keep the house around 72 / 73 degrees and she is away from vents, sleeps on her perch in her cage, cage is covered with a blanket and she goes to bed at 7pm, wakes us up around 7am when sunlight is coming in the windows. She's an awesome alarm clock... says "good mornin' "

Anyone ?????

First, and understanding that many times, the OP is new too both being Parrot Parents and this Forum. And, for that reason, it is common as part of the response to request that an Avian Vet be seen. This based on the reality that Behavior Problems can /and do have medical sources.

Very sorry that you find yourself unemployed. I fully understand the amount of Stress that can bring to an individual and their family. As you know, everyone in the family, including your Parrot, can feel that Stress and present /react to its effects on themselves. I am going to admit that this is much easier to say than to do, but it is important for you and everyone in your family to work at reducing the Stress Load. There are several internet sites that address this issue and provide methods of relieving Stress.

I am guessing that you worked outside of the home and now you are home near all the time. This has allowed you to watch and be with your Parrot all day. This 'likely' could have you noticing things that was part of your Parrot's normal daytime activities. This based on your description of 'some' activities of your Parrot being normal. Having said that, other descriptions could /may indicate 'underlying' medical issues.

Like responding as part of a Forum Thread, phone conversations are as difficult. An Avian Vet requested to provide general advise over-the-phone is extremely limited when compared to a Hands-On evaluation. So, please do not judge the Vet's response based solely on a phone conversation.

I have nothing against Kentucky, its a wonderful State. However, they do have problems as each State or Region does. This Year, the entire Midwest all the way to the Eastern shoreline has been Hotter and more humid than normal. So for all of us in the Midwest and Eastern Shoreline, its not been as enjoyable this Summer. Very likely, you're seeing us at our near worst this year compared to Oregon.

I would contact the Avian Vet's Office Manager and talk to them about a payment plan. It is very common for most all Vet offices to have them. Some work on an advance /prepay also.

I wish that I had more to add. I would target releasing the Stress. Add a couple of hours of your day to doing physical labor, it commonly helps us guys to transfer Stress too Physical Labor. I would recommend early morning based on heat and humidity.

Back away from your Parrot by doing other things (see above) for at least 2/3's of those days that you had been at work.

See how this effects things. Time outside is just going to have to wait until after the first Frost when most of the bugs are killed.

Give it a few days and see if anything changes.

May you find Work Soon!