Can birds get depressed?

[angiemw]

I sometimes think that Eva might be lonely for a friend. I play with her all day long. Her door is never closed. Not even at night, she loves her cage and stays in there unless I take her out. I have toys outside for her to play with. She just stays in her cage. After she hatched she had been caged with a lot of other birds. Since she's been here for 8 months she's never had another bird to play with. Can she be depressed and that's why she wont come out of her cage? She don't pluck or show signs of stress. She's also still trying to talk. I seem to be the only one who understands what she's saying.

So, should I get another GCC? Or is loving her cage a normal behavior?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Yes, birds can get depressed, however, the way you describe how you care for Eva, I doubt she's sad about anything.

She's still VERY young, and some birds are naturally quieter and more reserved than others, even within the same species.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

Birds will often learn to like their cage. It's safe, cozy and has their toys. Gilbert is generally very content in his cage, playing with his toys, or just hanging out. He mostly wants to come out to be with me (either shoulder / snuggle time or eating with me). Other than that, he is very happy to be in or on his own cage. I don't think it is a bad sign. It actually may be a good sign that your bird is content and not a particularly hyper personality.

 

[kc_y0]

I think because she is free to come and go as she pleases, she likes to spend time in her cage too. My bird is the same. If I am home her door is never shut, and sometimes she can spend a whole day in her cage, just relaxing or playing with toys rather then coming out. I think your bird is happy!

 

[goalerjones]

I was told that marijuana will make a bird depressed. I wont go off on a rant against people who get their animals drunk or high, if you don't know how bad that is then your judgement is too impaired for a rant to sink in.

 

[Brodie]

?? What who said anything about marijuana anyway? Lol

 

[MikeyTN]

LoL.....However hemp seeds can be fed to birds as it is known to boost their immune system. I feed it to my ekkies once a week a teaspoon full between the two of them.

 

[Brodie]

:O really?! Never knew!

 

[Dharmawaits]

I was told that marijuana will make a bird depressed. I wont go off on a rant against people who get their animals drunk or high, if you don't know how bad that is then your judgement is too impaired for a rant to sink in.

YEAH.....and you need too......not.....wait. WTH?

 

[Brodie]

:O really?! I had no idea!

 

[Brodie]

Wow.. That was an accident my forum app stuffed up lol

 

[Dharmawaits]

Are you sure its not marijuana??!

 

[Brodie]

Hahaha! I'm sure

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I think because she is free to come and go as she pleases, she likes to spend time in her cage too. My bird is the same. If I am home her door is never shut, and sometimes she can spend a whole day in her cage, just relaxing or playing with toys rather then coming out. I think your bird is happy!

Rosie is the same way, I'll leave her cage open and she'll climb on top of it, then go back in when she's done. Sometimes she is excited to come out and do stuff, or go out and about in her harness while other days she'd rather be in her cage and rub her head on her perch.

 

[antoinette]

Ava is still very young 9 months old, she is still finding herself.
You are doing the correct thing, leaving the cage door open, when she is ready and willing she will come out.
Mishka my AG simply loves his cage, spends hours and hours playing.
On weekends the cage door is open 24/7, he comes out often, yet spends most of the time in his cage. He knows the cage is his castle, where he feels safe and secure.