Lovebird chick not chirping

Aymo · May 30, 2026

I am very worried about my 10 day old lovebird. He's very active and gets fed by his parents, but I'm just worried about him not chirping. I haven't heard him chirp since he was 2-3 days old. All I can hear from him now is extremely quiet little croaks in place of chirps. It doesn't sound like it has anything to do with his breathing. He also vibrates a lot. Is this normal? I'm not sure how to get to an avian vet with the tiny guy.

nancys · May 30, 2026

There really is not a lot that an avian vet can do besides a gram stain. If you remove the chick for long enough to take it to the vet the parents most likely will not take it back if it is a singleton.

Chicks know instinctively to be quiet in the nest. It is a way of survival. Just be certain the chick is being fed (he does have food in the crop). If he isn't moving that isn't good either. Sometimes we just have to let nature take its course on a chick this small.

Give the parents fresh food two or three times a day, especially before dark. Be sure they are eating and returning to the nest box.

I was a breeder for 35 years and have experienced a great deal.

Aymo · May 30, 2026

nancys said:
There really is not a lot that an avian vet can do besides a gram stain. If you remove the chick for long enough to take it to the vet the parents most likely will not take it back if it is a singleton.

Chicks know instinctively to be quiet in the nest. It is a way of survival. Just be certain the chick is being fed (he does have food in the crop). If he isn't moving that isn't good either. Sometimes we just have to let nature take its course on a chick this small.

Give the parents fresh food two or three times a day, especially before dark. Be sure they are eating and returning to the nest box.

I was a breeder for 35 years and have experienced a great deal.

Thank you for answering! The chick seems to be completely healthy otherwise, so I guess I'll just have to leave him with his parents for now. I'll go take him to the vet for a check up once he's old enough to leave the nest.

nancys · May 30, 2026

Please report back!
Also should have said I started with lovebirds. I never had one that was not an excellent parent.

Aymo · Jun 3, 2026

nancys said:
Please report back!
Also should have said I started with lovebirds. I never had one that was not an excellent parent.

Here he is 4 day later at 2 weeks old. Still alive and growing, but not chirping. I see a little blockage in his right ear not sure if it's normal. Kinda looks like a little bit of ear wax inside. It's not poking out or anything. Parents have been great. Considering he's still alive after not chirping for 12 days I think it can't be too serious (I really hope)

DonnaBudgie · Jun 3, 2026

What an adorable spudmuffin!

nancys · Jun 3, 2026

Aymo said:
Here he is 4 day later at 2 weeks old. Still alive and growing, but not chirping. I see a little blockage in his right ear not sure if it's normal. Kinda looks like a little bit of ear wax inside. It's not poking out or anything. Parents have been great. Considering he's still alive after not chirping for 12 days I think it can't be too serious (I really hope)

He's growing! There could be something neurological going on. I once had a nest box of vinaceous amazons. I was letting the parents rear them to weaning. I peaked at them every now and then and one acted so strange. I pulled him at about 5 weeks. Blind as a bat. I have no idea but he probably hatched blind. Hand fed him. Once he learned where his food bowls were (pet type cage). He was fine. Unfortunately it turned out to be a sinus infection pressing on the optic nerves and there was just nothing else that could be done. He did eventually die at about age two but he was a very interesting bird. We named him Mr. Green Jeans.

Aymo · Jun 7, 2026

Another update! He's chirping! I guess I just didn't hear it before! He started preening and licking everything to feel around. He'll cuddle up to your hand when you put your hand in the nest and he'll try to climb on it. Poops are great, no sign of anything there. I'm gonna take him to the vet for a check up once he's old enough to leave the nest to be safe.