Are you wondering how deeply a budgie can express negative emotions? Will depression take over your budgie causing grief, stress or poor health? In this article, we’ll find out if budgies can get depressed.
Can A Budgie Get Depressed? Yes. Discomfort, stress, poor health and grieving the loss of a partner are all reasons why a budgie can become depressed. You will notice feathers being fluffed and plucked, a loss of appetite or no desire to interact with you. Thankfully, with time and effort, we can cheer our budgies up again.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Depressed Budgie?
It is possible to tell if a budgie is depressed. This is a social bird. Cutting themselves off from the world and retreating to a lonely spot in the cage may indicate that your budgie doesn’t enjoy life right now.
Look for the following symptoms:
- loss of appetite
- inconsistent, runny or dark green droppings
- fluffed up feathers
- irritable
- aggressive
- different vocal sounds
- plucked feathers
- stress bars
- frequent head bobbing
We must notice these changes before they get worse. Stress bars on the feathers, or the constant plucking, picking and ruffling of them are indicators of stress or depression.
Listen to the way your budgie sounds. Is it a different type of pitch or tone? Entice your budgie to eat more with fruits, vegetables and tasty snacks to prevent any possible hunger strikes.
How Can I Help My Depressed Budgie?
Try to make some changes to help turn things around for your budgie’s depressed mood.
- Change the cage position
- Add toys
- Add more perches
- Keep things clean
- Be patient
Cage Position
The cage might be in a spot that your budgie finds to be uncomfortable. Something could be stressing out your budgie and it might just be where he or she is facing. Try another position if possible.
Toys and Perches
The toys should help to provide distraction and peak their interest to get their mind off of what is causing the depression. The toys and perches encourage activity over grieving, sulking and head bobbing.
Clean the Cage
Some budgies are particular about the state of cleanliness in their home. Some won’t care much at all. Budgies are not meant to be the same and our suggestions aren’t meant to work for every single one of them. A clean cage promotes a comfortable space.
Patience
Is your budgie grieving the loss of a partner? This will take time. Allow for your budgie to go through this process. Usually this type of depression is temporary. You should notice your budgie resuming regular activities. This is also a good time to consider adding a new budgie friend.
How Do I Mentally Stimulate A Budgie?
A budgie may get depressed because there is nothing to do. Sure, you have provided your budgie with perches and toys, but are they receiving attention?
Make time for your budgie to interact with you. Be available. One-on-one time together is precious and effective. Your positive and gentle energy will pass through your budgie to a point where they will feel safe at the very least.
Allow your budgie to perch on your shoulder if possible. Watch TV together. Play with the budgie toys together to make them more fun for your budgie to enjoy when you’re not around.
How Do I Cheer My Budgie Up?
A budgie that is sad or depressed is asking for help in the most indirect way. He or she is not doing anything, but plucking or fluffing feathers in the far end of the cage. It’s time for you to cheer up your budgie.
- Add more toys
- Spend more time together
- Let your budgie grieve
- Add new foods
Rotate or provide more toys to keep your budgies occupied. There should be more scheduled time together if possible. Your budgie may be in a bad mood that is temporary.
No need to react right away. Give it time, especially if your budgie is grieving the loss of a partner. New treats may excite the taste buds of your budgie. Try out some new fruits or vegetables and possibly eat them together.
Conclusion
Your budgie is going through a rough patch in life. The surrounding environment can be altered in subtle ways by moving perches around or a thorough cleaning.
The cage can be moved or replaced. New budgies can join the gang or family. You can introduce new and nourishing treats as well.
The depression shouldn’t last too long if there is grieving that needs to be done after the loss of a budgie in the same cage. Be there for your budgie by scheduling more time together and use this time to build more trust to strengthen the bond between you.
Thank you for visiting BudgieRealm.com and we hope to see you again soon for another informational article related to our shared interest in these spectacular birds that we call our pets or companions.
