My budgie Jazz was four years old this year. Recently I've noticed one of her back toes is now pointing forwards. Its not a different colour, texture, size, shape or anything, nothing is different to how it used to be and compared to the other toes except that its facing the wrong way. She now has three toes forward and one toe back. I took her out the other day and moved it around and pushed it back the way its supposed to go, also checked that her foot still grips normally and it seems to. She made no noise or action to show that it was hurting her either. I held her toe back for a few seconds to see if it would 'stick' then put her back in the cage. Her toe went back to normal for a little while but then headed to the side then back to the front after a few minutes.

Nothing has changed in the cage, they have different sized branches at different angles as well as horizontal. They also spend time walking around on the floor of the cage and I have a small wooden shelf which is flat which she stands on. I haven't been able to see what her feet are like on a flat surface yet.

Is there any reason why this has happened? I thought it would go back to normal but I'm starting to get a bit worried. Her character is no different but it seemed tonight as though it was maybe slightly bothering her and that her grip when the toe is heading forward isn't as good as it should be.

Is it an idea to try to gently tape the toe back into position for a while?

Its really no big deal unless you have a show budgie. In show budgies three toes forward is reason to disqualify a bird from winning on the show bench. I would not worry if I was you.

Thanks. Shes not always had this problem, its only been recently like within the past month.

Is it really nothing to worry about even when its come on suddenly and she doesn't always balance well on first landing?

I'd agree with Kaz... she will get used it. Budgie adapt very well to various diabilities. Keep an eye on her if you are really worried about it... and a avian vet visit is always an option to put your mind at rest... but I wouldn't worry.