7 - Decreased appetite Birds that are so stressed that they are depressed may eat less and ultimately may lose weight. Since decreased appetite can also be a sign of medical disease, birds whose appetites change should be thoroughly examined by a veterinarian to make sure they aren't hiding an underlying illness.
Biting, hissing, lunging, and excessive screaming are all signs to watch out for. Fear – While not all birds are outwardly friendly, if your bird suddenly becomes timid and avoids being handled, this could be a sign that your feathered friend is stressed.
Chronic stress and unhappiness can affect birds' physical health, as it does in people. Birds that are constantly stressed and sad may eat less and may lose weight or suffer nutritional deficiencies.
Some of your bird's favorite foods are sources of magnesium: whole grains and greens such as spinach, carrots, beans and peas are good sources of magnesium. Try adding them to his meals to help alleviate stress-related behavior like feather plucking and vocalization.
Birds that are in shock appear weak, unresponsive, fluffed up and breathe in slowly and out quickly. Place the bird in a quiet, semi-dark, warm, humid environment. Warmth is essential in getting birds through a state of shock – temperature should be between 25 and 30 degrees.
Frightened birds hold their feathers in close to their body. Cockatiels put their crests up. They might huddle in a corner or rock from side to side. Extremely frightened birds will threaten by snaking their neck out and hissing.
Anxious birds can startle so severely that they hurt themselves, flying into obstacles. They may vocalize repeated or excessive distress calls. Physical changes. Tremoring, tachycardia, tachypnoea can be seen.
Life in captivity is often a death sentence for birds, who may suffer from malnutrition, an improper environment, loneliness, and the stress of confinement. Birds are meant to fly and be with others of their own kind in a natural environment. Confinement causes birds to have temper tantrums and mood swings.
No rest for the feathered!
Unless they are in a state of torpor, birds tend to sleep in small snatches until startled awake either by a predatory threat, neighbor, or cold conditions. Some can even sleep with one eye open, as half of their brain is alert while the other is asleep.
Symptoms of a depressed bird can include: Fluffed-up feathers. Loss of appetite. Change in droppings.
According to psychologist and ecologist Gay Bradshaw, PhD—who established the field of trans-species psychology—captive birds experience Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from prolonged, repeated suffering.
To help your bird build a healthy bond with both you and other people, keep caresses and petting limited to the head or feet only, and ask others to do the same. The reason for this is that birds' sexual organs are located directly under the wings on a bird's back.
Physical hugging or scratching around the head is acceptable, but scratching, stroking or petting your bird around the back, rump, and hind end may cause sexual stimulation. Redirect your bird's attention towards other toys and healthy interactive play with you, the owner.
Most birds (unlike other pets) prefer being petted against their feathers. If your bird is getting relaxed and comfortable with you touching them, you can gradually start rubbing the sides of their head gently, including the skin just behind their beak and around their ears (but be careful around the eyes).
None , there is no effective home treatment for shock , the best that can be done is put the bird into a travel cage , cover it so it's dark , keep the bird very warm at (30-32 degrees C/ 86-90 degrees F) and go to your veterinary office IMMEDIATELY!
Generally speaking, birds hate strong smells, shiny objects, and predators, both birds of prey or larger animals or humans within their vicinity.
When a bird is afraid, they pull their feathers close to their bodies. Showy birds like cockatiels may put their crests up or spread out their wings close to the ground. Some birds stand in a corner and rock from side to side.
The Dark
Just like when we were kids, some birds are afraid of the dark. Megan Hughes of Florida said that her entire flock is frightened of the dark, and each bird has a night light in their bird rooms.