CanaryChris

Update: took everyone's advice and things are improving. Raja is slowly coming around. This forum is the best.

Couldn't agree more. This has been my experience as well.

Great question! So in my experience with zebra finch, this usually comes down to a few things. First, switching to stainless steel water bowls and changing water twice daily. Second, make sure they're getting enough sleep — 12 hours of uninterrupted dark sleep is crucial. And third, pay attention to molting — they get uncomfortable and cranky because that was a huge factor for my Noodle. Hope that helps!

100% this. Wish I'd known this when I first got my bird.

Every evening, Mochi flips upside down in my hand, goes completely limp, and closes their eyes. The first time they did this I PANICKED and almost called the emergency vet. Turns out they just... like being held upside down? Quaker parrot are so weird. Does your bird have a weird quirk?

This reminds me of when I first got Sunny. I was so overwhelmed but looking back, those early days were actually really special. The bond building phase is tough but beautiful.

Hey everyone! I'm from Leslieville and I just brought home my first bird ever — a Amazon parrot named Jasper. I'm equal parts excited and terrified. Been reading everything I can find online but there's so much conflicting info. Any beginner tips from experienced owners would be amazing! Looking forward to being part of this community.

How old is your bird? That might explain it — my budgie went through something similar around 18 months.

I've tried a bunch of brands and Lafeber NutriBerries is hands down the best value. My Pistachio devours it.

It took me a while to figure this out with my bird too. Don't be too hard on yourself — you're learning!

I've had birds for 15 years and I've seen this many times. In my experience it usually comes down to a dietary deficiency, especially calcium or vitamin A.

I've done a ton of research on this because my blue and gold macaw had the same issue. Here's what I learned: the most common cause is molting — they get uncomfortable and cranky. What worked for us was leaving the radio or TV on when I'm out — background noise helps. I also started making sure there are no drafts near the cage and noticed improvement within a week. It's a process but it gets better.

Totally normal, don't stress! Birds go through phases just like any other pet.

What does their diet look like? Sometimes these things are diet-related.

My budgie absolutely LOVES my partner but hisses and lunges at me, and I'm the one who feeds and cleans! Anyone else deal with this? How did you build a relationship with a one-person bird?

Absolutely love hearing success stories! This gives me so much hope for me and Skittles. Thank you for sharing!

Nice to meet you! Always great to connect with fellow bird owners. You're going to fit right in here!

Hello! Been lurking on this forum for a bit and finally decided to make an account and participate. I've had my umbrella cockatoo Pistachio for about 8 months now. Always nice to connect with other bird people in the GTA — most people I know think I'm crazy for having a bird lol. Excited to be here!

My Quaker parrot did this too! Turned out it was because of jealousy of a new person, pet, or even object in the home. Once I addressed that, everything went back to normal.

I switched to HARI Prime last year and haven't looked back. My umbrella cockatoo's feathers have never looked better.