So, I've mentioned before I work part time in a small pet store.

As far as birds go we only carry budgies and a tiel now and then.

We have one budgie right now who is the cutest little thing, but I'm kinda worried about him/her. It is definitley very young. It is very skinny and smaller than the rest. You can see the keel bone. He/she is eating just fine. I moved him into his own cage with his best friend and they are doing just fine. He seems to be almost bare around his vent area. Its clean and doesnt look bad, just worried me that there arent feathers where there should be.

Do you think he/she is sick or maybe he was just a bit younger than the rest and isnt fully feathered yet? maybe he was weaned to early?

He lays on his back in my hand and is totally sweet. I would bring him and his best buddy home in a second, but I dont trust the store honestlyt and I cant afford a vet check for him right now, and I wont risk bringing him into my home.

It bothers me that the company would not pay to bring a parakeet to the vet.

I will get pictures tonight and post so you can tell me what you think. He really looks fine feather wise other than the vent, he just looks like he might be a little under-developed if that makes any sense.

I've never seen that problem but it worries me too. Yes get a picture.

I'm not sure if I'm really describing the best.. I will make sure to get pics tonight.

What color is the budgies beak? Is the tip still black? If the beak is half black chances are it was not weaned and was mock eating, does it have a full tail? or Is the longest tail missing? That last tail feather takes the longest to come in an can be, in conjunction with the beak color, an indication that the poor thing is just to young. If he will eat millet, load him up with it as it will fatten him up quickly.

The area over the crop is the last to feather up. The tail is also a good indicator although young birds often lose tails via rough play almost as soon as they have tails. Budgies do sometimes have a more naked vent than other types of birds such as those you have. A budgie vent often looks more down than feather.

Thanks Angie - I have no experience there at all.

Thank you Josh for looking after the wee one. Keep us posted. Some Budgies are smaller than others. If he was taken from his nest with his siblings but he was the youngest - he might still need Mom's help - but no Mom is around.

Well I forgot my camera, but am working again tonight so I willtake pitures.

I separated the little guy and the 2 other sweet budgies into their own cage. The three seem to get along the best. They were all staying away from the other guys. I added some millet and treats last night and he seems to be eating just fine.

His tail is fully grown. He's fully feathered but bare around his vent area. Thats whats really worrying me, along with the fact that he is REALLY light and skiny.

When I take him out, he is as sweet as can be and will even roll over and lay on his back in my hand and let me scritch him all over. I wonder if thats a warning sign of something, because although it usually doesnt take long to tame them a bit, he doesnt know me at all. why so docile?

I also noticed he is the only one without a band, which means he didnt come from our normal breeder.

I ill get pics tonight of his vent and his 2 buddies and maybe you guys an tell me if I'm oer reacting and maybe how old they might be.

josh from what i know that there shouldnt bee any clear area around the vent. i was told that they pull the feathers out or down so as to keep area clean. . it may be a digestive problems.lets (hope its not...) . due to him being very young.

i got 2 now that dont have leg bands and they come from the pet store it says bands are not required anymore. Here anyway

I do remember when they were it gave age sex as well as breeders initials.Im showing my age now l

waiting for the pics....... and thanks. for keeping an eye on wee one... if only i was closer

is it a possibility that cuz of no band that he had been purchased before and brought back due to him being to docile. or ill.......

if he can roll over and lay in your hand and doesnt know you ... just a thought...

Some babies are more docile than others. Rio for example is the wild kind even though he was handled. I have tamish aviary budgies and a hand raised one that has always rolled over and laid in a hand so I am not sure this would be too much indication. Do the other feathers look straight and normal? Any type of curling can be a problem.