Has my budgie a problem?

[merlinsmate]

I have rescued female budgie which has strange behaviour. When it sleeps on the perch it drops forward, often falling off the perch. It then runs around on the bottom of the cage in panic, then flaps around the cage a bit, before finally settling down on a perch again. It's obviously shaken up. It sleeps best on a swing perch, where it leans forward against the mirror while asleep. Normally it is a calm, brave little bird. I wondered if it might sleep in one of those ready made woven nests, where at least it couldn't come to harm. Otherwise I'm afraid it will break it's neck from a fall. Thanks for any advice.

[wildwood]

When perching birds such as budgies 'sit down' on the perch to go to sleep a tendon slips over the ankle joint that locks the toes closed, this prevents the bird from falling from even the thinnest perch.

Obviously, your bird has had some kind of trauma and doesn't have the strength in it's legs (yet).
I would recommend removing the standard perches - especially plastic ones [shudder] and replacing them with pieces of natural twigs from a non poisonous tree such as a fruit tree or willow. This should be about 3/4" thick. If the perch surface is too smooth give it a rub with very coarse sandpaper or a rasp.

You might also like to check the bottom of it's feet - the part that rests on the perches - and make sure there is no growth or swelling. If so a trip to the vet or a bird specialist is needed.

[merlinsmate]

Thanks for your help Wildwood. I will certainly try the natural perch. She is in her original cage still, with one ribbed plastic perch and one dowel. I put a sandpaper cover on the plastic one as her nails are long. She's about 6 years old. Do you think she will recover strength in her feet?

[wildwood]

Unfortunately, cages are designed/made by people who wouldn't know a budgie from a canary. The sandpaper covered perch could very well be the problem, the sandpaper will NOT help to keep nail growth down, it just makes the bottom of the feet raw.
Even doweling perches should be roughened up somewhat with a rasp.
If you don't feel confident to trim the nails take it to the SPCA or ask someone who has experience doing this.

It is impossible to say if she make a complete recovery without seeing the bird, and even then it is a guessing game.

[merlinsmate]

Thanks Wildwood. I have only just put the perch covers in and the problem was there before, so I don't think they are the origin of the problem. Will take them out though if they are no good and I'll definately try the other options and remain hopeful.

[merlinsmate]

Hi, thanks for your answer to my questions, I did as you suggested and things were going well, but unfortunately the little bird died recently. When I worked dates out I think it was quite old and it certainly didn't break it's neck or suffer, so hopefully it's last months were good ones. Thanks for your help.