no, the rest of the feathers look just fine. Its the naked vent and pertrudint keel bone that worried me

Pics would really be helpful. I would have separated it from all the other birds until the store finds out exactly what's going on with the little guy. If it is an illness all of the birds could get infected. Have you brought this birds condition to the attention of the store owner/manager?

yeah... I'm on my own. My manager and the company honestly could care less. Until I stared there their birds were dusty and cramped into small cages. Noone else touches them but me. Its sad, but they make their real money off of puppies.

I am not sure I have ever felt a keel bone protruding on a budgie they always seem well covered. Is it possible for you to put a dish on wheat cereal porridge made with water in the cage? If you can weigh the bird, it should be at the very lightest about 25-26g. It is possible that the baby is very young and not well fed.

I remember Scott saying that Pogo was unbelievably tame when he got him. & yes ....*sigh* Rio is not like that {Pst - why me!}
Pogo bonded to him at the store - which may have happened with you already Josh!
He also had mites - was very happy to be scratched all the time by Scott, who only found the little suckers a few weeks later - much to his horror.

Perhaps he was a bit 'plucked' by the parents or siblings in his original nest?

I can't wait for the photos. YOu could always get him a good home Josh - if not with you. *hint hint* - sounds like the little fellow needs one.

to be quite honest, If I had the room for a proper quarantine and the money for a full work up right now, I would bring him home no questions asked.

But... I dont.

arent budgies known for carrying diseases but not nesacarily getting them?

yes they often test positive for pbfd and apv. Some do carry and grow out of it, some test false positive. A concern for sure. That is why I asked about curly feathers.

Think of all the fun Rio has given you Just think you may have got bored with a tame well behaved budgie.

Josh ~ Poor you [don't feel bad as you have a wonderful flock]- Maybe you can think of someone?

Bored with a tame Budgie? I don't think so!

My son would have been thrilled. He always wants to get the Budgies to come to him. Only Laker will come to him. A little while ago Rio flew to the kitchen but it was too dark in the living room so he was kind of freaked out. He stepped up for my son [very docile]. He took him back to the Budgie part of the apt. Rio is a challenge & interesting for sure.

Rio sure does keep you on your toes. I think Angie's right - anyone tamer would have you bored