Was he playing dead or is something wrong???

[Andrea_AUST]

My 12 week old Rainbow Lorikeet has been a delight and very easy to care for. He comes out of his cage often and is eating well (dry mix and a mix of fresh fruit)

Tonight though I almost had a small fit when I saw him lying on his back in his cage. From a distance he looked dead but when I walked up be was back on his feet in a jiffy and looking to come out of his cage again.

I brought him out and had a good look over him - he was behaving fine / normal (nibbling and kissing) but soon fell asleep on my shoulder. This is normal for him around this time of night too.

I am worried though ... scared the crapper out of me seeing him lying on his back. He did look like he was playing around but I wanted to ask you guys ...

Gawd ...

 

[Von1983]

I don't know much about lori's at all....nearly impossible to find them in the UK!

I do know that conures including my girl, are fond of lying on their backs lol. Sometimes occasionally, sometimes all the time!!!

I see no reason why your bird just finds it comfy lying this way lol!

If everything else is normal and he was acting completely normally then I would bet that this is what it is.

 

[Andrea_AUST]

I don't know much about lori's at all....nearly impossible to find them in the UK!

I do know that conures including my girl, are fond of lying on their backs lol. Sometimes occasionally, sometimes all the time!!!

I see no reason why your bird just finds it comfy lying this way lol!

If everything else is normal and he was acting completely normally then I would bet that this is what it is.

That does put my mind at ease ... especially since I'd like to go to sleep myself but was scared to shut down the computer just in case I had a potential emergency on my hands tonight.

Yes right now he appears to be sleeping on his rope hoop .. the odd quiet chirp is reassuring. Will take a while to understand all his behaviours ... that one sent me sideways in a spin! :11:

 

[antoinette]

Sure it is nothing to worry about, perhaps he had a very energetic day, and was so tired.
As you mentioned, he soon fell asleep on your shoulder, which is normal for him around this time of night.

The link below will answer your question


http://www.maars.org/news/chronicles/05-02/wellness.php

 

[HRH Di]

Our RFM loves to lie on her back and be cuddled, feet tickled, etc. It's pretty common but I can understand that it can be a little unnerving when seeing it the first time.

 

[JawzX]

Our RFM loves to lie on her back and be cuddled, feet tickled, etc. It's pretty common but I can understand that it can be a little unnerving when seeing it the first time.

Di, does your Max ever lay on his back? I've heard of Alexandrines that do, but Ms. Prissy Beak will have none of it. If you turn her upside down while playing (even though she enjoys playing rough and is quite the wrestler) you almost always get the angry squawk and an end to the fun times. She gets up immediately, looks all dicombobulated and offended, fluffs and is angry at you for several minutes. She would certainly never lay on her back by choice.

and to avoid a complete thread hijack, yes, lories often lay on their backs when playing and sometimes when sleeping too. I've not had that much exposure to lories, but the one rainbow lorikeet I have met was on his back almost as often as he was on his feet!

 

[Ratzy]

I say it's completely normal

PS: My budgies sometimes hang up-side-down while sleeping, is that normal?

 

[Andrea_AUST]

and to avoid a complete thread hijack, yes, lories often lay on their backs when playing and sometimes when sleeping too. I've not had that much exposure to lories, but the one rainbow lorikeet I have met was on his back almost as often as he was on his feet!

I'm loving the stories so please - hijack away!

He'd spent a few hours outside yesterday in his cage. This was the first time he's been out and was pretty excited about the whole ordeal. I used the opportunity to hose the bottom of his cage (messy little bugger he is). Another new experience.

There doesn't seem to be much that phases Ozzy which was why seeing him on his back like that was scary. To me a birdy on its back aligns with one that has died.

At any rate, he's bright chirpy and up to his normal mischief this morning. Try typing with a bird on your hand ... he's desperate to jump on the key board...things get a little confused when he does that.

Thank you all so much ... this forum is wonderful!!