budgie owners? I need help!?

Question

ok.,i've had this 3 month old budgie for about 11 days now and he's still kinda quiet and not chirping constantly like i've heard most budgies do.and he always looks like he's breathing pretty hard cuz his chest is always moving like that and he stands on one foot and he kind of moves forward on his pirch just slightly so i was wondering is it possible that he could still not be adjusted to his home and his new surroundings or do these things sound like some sort of a budgie illness?also the man at the pet store said that you can't really tell the gender yet since he is only 3 months old but another man looked at him and said that he is a male and wrote that on his form thing or whatever,so how do i know for sure?oh yeah,his cere is a slight pinkish/purple almost blue type color so do you think that the man was right about him being a male?

Answer 1

It is certainly possible he's not adjusted yet,one of mine took three weeks to adjust,just sat on the perch doing nothing,only the occasional chirp.That said, a healthy bird should be bright-eyed, alert and have clean, nicely preened, sleek feathers held closely to the body. Sick birds will usually ruffle (puff up) their feathers for extended periods of time. When a bird ruffles it is chilled and its ruffled feathers trap a layer of warm air around the bird. The feathers around the vent should be clean.Have your birds droppings changed at all? If droppings are stuck to the vent it could indicate an intestinal tract infection or abdominal enlargement.The bird should maintain an erect position on the perch, weight evenly distributed on the feet,(most birds stand on one leg some of the time), wing tips crossing over the back and the tail feathers maintaining a straight line with the back. Sick birds will sit with either one or both wings drooped and its tail directed downward. A bird that has their tail directed downward may have a respiratory tract disturbance or abdominal discomfort (infection or enlargement). Tail bobbing/flicking also can occur.
Unsteadiness on the perch, wobbliness or low posture on the perch are signs of abnormality. Your bird certainly sounds male.If you notice ANY other symptoms,take your bird to a vet asap.

Answer 2

It does sound to me like your young budgie is shy and nervous about the new surroundings. He/she will get used to you in time. Talking to him/her and handling your budgie will help him/her trust and bond with you. The lack of chirping could be because he/she isn't around other budgies. My parakeet loves it when I put her by an open window where she can hear and chirp with the wild birds. I did end up getting a second budgie to keep her company but waited until I trained her first. As for telling the sex of your bird. It is hard to tell when they are young, but the cere should start to be changing to either pinkish brown-female, or purplish blue-male. Good luck with your new budgie.

Answer 3

Well, he probably isn't adjusted to the new place completely (http://www.cockatootrainer.com/timidness can help with that) but the breathing heavily doesn't sound good. Watch him for a few days and see if any other symptoms come up. Other symptoms are sneezing, weight loss, runny nose or vent (butt), or loss of appetite or stops drinking or has runny droppings. If more symptoms come up, take the bird to an avian vet for a check-up.
Yes, he's probably a male, but this early, it's hard to tell.
Good luck with the bird!

Answer 4

Yup, he is a male if it is at all turning blue. Adults will have a bright blue. Also, if he sings he is most likely male

Answer 5

my budgie did that for a long time, but now she sings up a storm! especially when we watch movies or cook! hope he gets used to you!