He doesn't have cankers.

He doesn't have worms, or mites.

He's being tested for Chlamydia!

Swallowing motion -> sore throat, perhaps.

 

Regardless, Paddy just can't hack it. I haven't been able to spend time with him enough because as of a week ago he's started vomitting and panting heavily whenever we have him outside of his cage in hand, with or without the other birds close by. How's that for a compliment? My vet says that it probably isn't a sign of affection as he's not mature enough. I'm not keen on taming him unless he's well enough to do so, or at least willing. I really just want to keep his best interests at heart! For the time being, I suppose he'll stay in his cage.

 

Ah well. Thoughts?

Panting, spreading his wings...are also a sign of anxiety and complete fear

Are you sure he is vomiting? Maybe I missed another post where this was being talked about?

If he is not sick it sounds like you are going way too fast on the taming especially taking him outside.

I must have missed something too.

 

Was it an avian vet?

What signs exactly are he showing?

 

What were you doing in terms of trying to tame him?

Yes! An Avian vet I was referred to in Knox City. Very kind.

We're thinking that maybe the swallowing motion is a sore throat of some kind. The swallowing motion sort of looked like regurgitation, but up until a week ago or so there was no evidence of any kind that he was bringing anything up. He did it when he was outside of his cage, or around people. We didn't know what to think! A lot of others didn't either.

 

The seed is definitely coming up. Sometimes he shakes his head and seed flies in all directions, and other times a large clump roughly 6-7mm in diameter comes out of his mouth which seems to be 'gooped' together. All in all, it doesn't look right. There's no real spreading of wings, but definite panting. I don't actually do that much. He sits on my shoulder, he sits on my finger. Not a whole lot. He's very happy walking around on the ground - I'd go as far as saying he sort of skips about. Other than that, we don't do anything together. I don't really feel I can tame him unless I feel close enough to him, or sure enough that he trusts me, and I can't do that either when he physically cannot take being outside of his comfort zone/cage.

 

I've had him close to a month now, I'm sure of it, but I'm also sure my approach hasn't been consistent. It's a real shame.

Edited March 10, 200916 yr by Nove

Time is very important with a budgie and a month is nothing in terms of taming especially if you are taking the steps too quickly which it sounds like to me.

 

It sounds like your budgie has a lot of anxiety and is fearful.

 

I assume his wings are clipped and this is why he will do what he does because he really can't fly away?

 

Also for safety concerns it is not recommended for budgies to be walking around on the ground they can easily get stepped on and injured and pick up dirt or garbage that is not good for them. I am sure that there will be someone that comes on and says I do it all the time and nothing has happened so each their own just my opinion.

 

Have you read over the Taming Article in our FAQs, it is really informative and there are great steps in there.

 

Some birds will tame quicker then others some it takes months but the key is to go the birds pace, taming a bird is not a quick process and many will give up because they can't do it in a month.

 

Grabbing, forcing to do your bird to do things (not that you are) will decrease the bond. Keeping your bird in the cage next to you a lot where he feels safe, offering millet or treats that they like to eat, talking to them through the cage is an excellent way to bond. Birds are not dogs they don't like hands they see them as prey.

I've kept him in his cage for the past few days, just talking to him and keeping him safe. I guess it's working, because I haven't seen him do his swallowing motion at all. I'm not sure when to start getting inside again, physical contact and all. Maybe after offering treats. Anyway, I thought you'd appreciate the update.

 

Thanks heaps,

C.