BrokenWing Chronicles
Sensing a sick animal

I stood looking out the window, there sat a Crow, not looking for food, not walking around, he/she just sat there, I knew right away this bird was sick.
I stood wondering, “how long little one, how long before you allow me to help you?”
Day two, the bird would seek safety in the trees at night, but would always ground during the daytime, the neighbor came over, “you have a sick bird in your front yard”, “I know” I said, “kinda strange that this bird knows where to go for help” he said, “yea but when is he/she going to allow me to help is the question”.
As the bird got worse he/she came closer to the house each day, finally one day he/she was right up against the house and I was able to catch him/her.
How can we tell when our pet birds are ill?
Does your bird just sit there (un-active)?
Is your bird fluffed?
If you question the “fluff” aspect hopefully you will understand what I say, all birds will lay there feathers down when seeing there human or a human, try and peek at your bird, not letting them see you, if they are just sitting there (in-active) fluffed, then they are ill.
Even a sleepy (tired bird) will be smooth.
The bird maybe fluffed after a bath, they fluff there feathers to allow drying, but for the most, your bird should always be smooth.
In-active birds maybe tired, sleepy, in this case the bird will bury his beak in the back of his/her neck and nod of to sleep, a sick bird will appear tired however they will be fluffed, eyes opening and closing often, as if blinking and even the blinking with be slow (retarded).
Some birds will also weave while perched (un-balanced).
Serious weaving is a very sick bird.
Cowering into a corner in the bottom of there cage or (if wild) hiding is a sign something is terribly wrong.
I watched a Blue Jay sitting on the rim of our bird bath, I knew right away this bird was ill, a healthy bird would land take a drink then fly off, this bird simply stayed perched right on the bird bath, knowing any animal is ill will help you to help them.
How to help;
All birds and or animals will come to us humans for help; at least they will try and tell us something is wrong, it always helps to keep the phone number and address to your local wildlife center handy for emergency reasons, or better yet, a wildlife rehabber near you, and your vets phone number should be posted somewhere handy.
So Please, Please keep a weary eye out for those that so badly need your help, and if possible, keep an eye on your feathered bird in your home, sneak a peek on your friend often, there body language will tell you a great deal about there health.
Peace
BrokenWing