Twisted neck (head down) sick lovebird

Gri

New member
Apr 19, 2019
5
0
IMG_1962.jpg

Good day everyone

I would like to reach out to the community concerning one of my five baby lovebird. It is 5 weeks old. Up to two days ago, it was growing fine with its four sibblings. But now, its neck is completely twisted and it keeps its head down sideways.

Any ideas what is going on and how I can help it?!?

Thanks in advance!
 

texsize

Supporting Member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Oct 23, 2015
3,899
Media
5
4,794
so-cal
Parrots
1 YNA (Bingo)
1 OWA (Plumas R.I.P.)
1 RLA (Pacho R.I.P.)
2 GCA(Luna,Merlin) The Twins
1 Congo AG (Bella)
5 Cockatiels
that does not sound good.
I would take him to an avian vet right away.

I had an adult cockatiel that developed something like this.
The bird had other symptoms, walking/stumbling around in circles, difficulty in perching.
Your young one is too young to be able to see these other symptoms.
In the end I had to put my bird to sleep to keep her from suffering.

I do hope you have better results and your baby can recover.
Maybe it's some kind of deficiency in diet.
 

itzjbean

Well-known member
Jan 27, 2017
2,572
Media
4
119
Iowa, USA
Parrots
2 cockatiels
I agree with the above, you should definitely find a certified avian vet to take this poor baby to. Something is not right here and needs to be taken care of by a professional.
 

LaManuka

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Aug 29, 2018
25,548
Media
26
Albums
1
33,181
Queensland, Australia
Parrots
Fang ({ab}normal grey cockatiel), Valentino (budgie), Jem (cinnamon cockatiel), Lovejoy(varied lorikeet), Peach (princess parrot)
I too agree with the above although depending on where you live it may be difficult to find a specialist bird vet over the long weekend. Why is it they always seem to run into trouble outside regular business hours?! I hope your little one recovers.
 
Last edited:

OutlawedSpirit

New member
Apr 12, 2016
1,020
21
Northern Illinois, USA
Parrots
Bo - DYH ~ Gus - CAG ~ Twitch - Linnie ~ Apple - Pineapple GCC ~ Goliath - Quaker ~ Squish - Peach face Lovebird
I would definitely consult with an avian certified vet (as soon as possible/ if you are able) but it looks like your baby could be stargazing to me. I have a linnie that is a stargazer and was fine until he was almost weaned, then developed the condition. Depending on the severity of the condition and how it develops, if that is what it uses determined to be, it is not always a death sentence but your avian vet can help you determine the best route for your circumstance.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
 

bug_n_flock

Well-known member
Jan 2, 2018
1,371
207
Isolated Holler in the Appalachian Wilderness
Parrots
B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
Looks like wry neck to me. Are you formula feeding or is the chick parent raised?


ETA: Welcome to the forum
 
Last edited:
OP
G

Gri

New member
Apr 19, 2019
5
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #7
Thank you very much for your replies.
 

Sunnyclover

New member
Jan 11, 2017
1,646
43
New Jersey
Parrots
Sun Conure - Ollie- Hatched 08/18/16*

Nanday Conure -Finley- Hatched 10/07/17*

Turquoise Yellow Sided Green Cheek Conure -Paris- Hatched 03/03/18*

Black Capped Conure -North- Hatched 10/10/18
Yes. Take your baby to an avian vet IMMEDIATELY. That is the only way to help....
 

bug_n_flock

Well-known member
Jan 2, 2018
1,371
207
Isolated Holler in the Appalachian Wilderness
Parrots
B&G Macaw, Galah, 5 cockatiels, 50 billion and a half budgies. We breed and do rescue. Too many to list each individual's name and age etc, but they are each individuals and loved dearly.
Yeah. It could be a few things causing it. Diet, botulism, lead ingestion/contamination, head injury, etc. The list of potential causes is very long... Vet time if possible. Good luck
 
OP
G

Gri

New member
Apr 19, 2019
5
0
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
thank you for welcoming me :)

the chicks are raised by the parents but I pick them up every day and I fed them formula once a day. Now I feed the sick chick twice a day to make sure it doesn't starve.

that condition happend suddently to only one of the five babies
 

texsize

Supporting Member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Oct 23, 2015
3,899
Media
5
4,794
so-cal
Parrots
1 YNA (Bingo)
1 OWA (Plumas R.I.P.)
1 RLA (Pacho R.I.P.)
2 GCA(Luna,Merlin) The Twins
1 Congo AG (Bella)
5 Cockatiels
Do you know anything about the history of the parents?
If the parents are closely related it could be a genetic mutation.
Only way to be sure is a trip to a qualified avian vet.
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
9,789
San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
thank you for welcoming me :)

the chicks are raised by the parents but I pick them up every day and I fed them formula once a day. Now I feed the sick chick twice a day to make sure it doesn't starve.

that condition happend suddently to only one of the five babies

You are very welcome! Our first priority is to help birds survive and thrive. Members have enormous expertise, but there are times a certified avian vet is your very best source of help. Hope you are able to find one nearby and receive expert opinion and assistance.
 

charmedbyekkie

New member
May 24, 2018
1,148
82
US/SG
Parrots
Cairo the Ekkie!
Hi Gri! We've members all around the world - perhaps you could let us know your rough location, so we can point you to a certified avian vet?
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top