Why is my parakeet shaking? 12 reasons parakeet shakes
Parakeets are tropical birds, so they’re used to warm climates. If you live in an area with colder weather, your parakeet can get cold easily. This can lead to shaking and other symptoms of hypothermia. I live in a warm climate, and why is my parakeet shaking? There are many reasons this could happen.
Your parakeet can shake due to a hot environment, cold, anxiousness, fear, stress, allergy, sickness, lack of good diet, happiness, preening, injury, breeding, age, or when preparing to fly.
Shaking is a normal part of being a parakeet. It’s normal for them to shake their wings and fluff up their feathers in the morning when they wake up or when they’re excited (like when they see you!). They do this because it helps them warm-up up so that they can fly better in the cold weather.
If your parakeet is shaking more than usual, this could be a sign that something is wrong. Any of the mentioned above could be the possible reasons that you should look out for.
Is it normal for my parakeet to shake?
It’s normal for your parakeet to shake, but it can be concerning. There are a few things that could cause this behavior:
You’re not giving your parakeet enough space. Parakeets are social animals and need to be able to move around freely in their cages. If they’re constantly being crowded by other birds or toys, they may start shaking as a way of communicating that they need more room.
Your parakeet may be stressed out by changes in its environment. This can include anything from new furniture in the house or a new family member entering the home (if you’ve just gotten married).
If this is happening, try making sure that you have plenty of time each day to interact with your bird, as this will help them feel safe and secure while they adjust to these changes.
You can also try placing your own scent on certain objects around the house (like your pillowcase) so that your bird knows that it’s still “home.”
Your parakeet may have an illness or injury that’s causing them pain or discomfort, and this would explain why they’re shaking more than usual. Make sure you check in with an avian vet if this happens again so that you can find out the real cause.
Why is my parakeet shaking? 12 reasons parakeet shakes
If you find your parakeet shaking and you notice it is beyond the normal shaking, then it could be one of the following reasons.
1. Cold
Parakeets are extremely sensitive to cold, and their body temperature is higher than that of humans. If you’re in a cold room, your parakeet may be shivering.
If they are shivering, they may have hypothermia, which is when their body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you see your parakeet shaking or shivering, you should immediately bring them into a warm room and provide them with heat sources like heating pads or hot water bottles. Do not use a microwave or other electrical appliance for this purpose, as these can cause burns if your parakeet touches them with their feet or feathers.
2. Hot environment
Your parakeet is shaking because he’s too hot. Parakeets can be very sensitive to the temperature of their environment, and if it’s too hot for them, they may shake.
When your parakeet shakes, it’s because he has a fever or is in pain from being over-heated. The best way to cool your bird down? Turn off the heat lamp if you have one in operation.
3. Feeling stressed, anxious, and fearful
Shaking is a sign of stress in your parakeet. The cause of the stress might be something as simple as a change in temperature or humidity, or it could be something more serious like illness.
Your parakeets are very sensitive animals, and they pick up on your stress and anxiety. If you’re nervous or worried about something, your parakeet will pick up on that and start shaking.
If you notice your parakeet shaking, make sure to check on him/her frequently and keep an eye out for any other signs of illness like difficulty breathing or eating, excessive sleeping or lethargy, drooling, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If you see any of these symptoms, it is best to have a vet check your bird over and determine what may be causing them so that they can get the treatment they need.
4. Allergy
Your parakeet might be shaking because of an allergy. They are quite sensitive to the environment and their surroundings, which means that they can develop allergies very easily.
This makes them more prone to shaking in response to things like pollen or dust mites. If you notice your parakeet shaking more often, especially during spring or fall, it could be because of an allergy.
5. Preening
Preening is the process of cleaning, grooming, and maintaining the feathers of your parakeet. Birds do this to remove dirt and oil that can build up in their feathers, which makes them look dull and dirty.
Preening also helps keep their feathers strong and healthy by preventing damage from parasites like mites or lice.
Your parakeet will have different preening habits depending on its species. Some birds will only preen when they feel stressed or are in a new environment; others will often preen throughout the day as part of their everyday routine.
If you notice that your parakeet is shaking, it’s probably because it is trying to remove loose feathers or parasites from its body.
If this happens regularly and for no apparent reason, your bird may be experiencing stress, which could lead to feather loss or even death if left untreated.
6. Happiness
If your parakeet is shaking, it’s probably because he/she is happy. Parakeets are social animals and love to be around the people they love. This can be especially true for young birds who haven’t yet learned to fly well or those who have just been introduced to you.
They may be excited about the newness of their surroundings and want to show off their personality in a bid to win your heart. If your parakeet is shaking, then it’s a good sign that you’re doing something right.
7. Sickness
If your parakeet is shaking, it could be a sign that it’s sick or in pain. The most common reason why parakeets shake is that they have a fever, which can be caused by a number of different things: stress, an infection, or even an injury.
If your parakeet is shaking, you should first determine if they are doing it because they’re cold or because they’re in pain. If your parakeet is trembling because they’re cold, you can help them by warming up their cage or providing more blankets for them to sit on.
If your parakeet has been shaking for over 24 hours and you’re unsure if it’s normal behavior for them (for example, if you’ve just bought them from a pet store), then we recommend bringing them to the vet.
8. Injury
One of the most common reasons that a parakeet will shake is because they have been injured. If your parakeet has been injured, you may notice that they shake more when you touch them or when you put them back in their cage.
Some injuries, like broken wings or legs, will require taking your bird to a veterinarian for treatment. Other injuries, like bites from other birds or scratches from sharp objects, can be treated at home with over-the-counter medications.
9. Lack of good diet
If your parakeet is shaking, it could be because it’s not getting enough nutrients in its diet. Parakeets are small birds and will eat a variety of foods, so make sure to give your parakeet a balanced diet with seeds, fruits, vegetables, and other foods that will help them grow properly.
10. Preparing to fly
Your parakeet may be shaking because it’s getting ready to fly. Parakeets can fly short distances, and they may flap their wings and shake their heads when they’re preparing to take flight.
In most cases, this behavior is completely normal and nothing to worry about. However, if your parakeet shakes excessively or shows other signs of injury, such as bleeding from its nostril or ear, contact your veterinarian immediately.
11. Aged
As your bird ages, it may start to shake. The shaking is usually due to a neurological problem. This can be caused by a number of things, including vitamin deficiencies or infections like salmonella.
The shaking can also be caused by a stroke or brain tumor. This will require immediate veterinary care and might result in the loss of your parakeet’s ability to fly or perch.
12. Breeding
The most common cause of shaking in parakeets is breeding season. During this time, your parakeet may be more prone to attacking other birds or showing signs of aggression. If your bird starts shaking while you’re handling her, it’s a good idea to stop immediately and check with a veterinarian.
How to keep your parakeets healthy?
Parakeets are one of the most popular pet birds, but they’re also one of the most susceptible to illness. They have a delicate immune system, so it’s important to keep them healthy by providing them with a safe environment and good nutrition.
Keeping your parakeets healthy is easy, and here is how you can go about it.
- Feed them fresh food. Fresh food is better for the birds than dry, processed food. You can get fresh fruit and veggies from the store, or you can grow your own in your garden or a window box.
- Keep their cage clean. The best way to do this is by using newspaper for lining and cleaning it twice weekly with warm water and a mild soap solution.
- Groom them regularly. This will help keep their feathers clean and prevent mites from infesting them.
- Your parakeet needs fresh water every day, so make sure there’s always some available for him/her to drink from. If there isn’t any in his cage, try putting out a bowl or two so he/she can get some whenever he/she wants it.
- Make sure that their cage is not too hot or too cold – try to keep it somewhere around 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
How to cure a shaking parakeet?
The first thing to do when you notice that your parakeet is shaking is to check the temperature in the cage. It should be between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s too cold, you can put a heating pad under part of the cage or use a warmer.
If your bird has been shaking for a long time, there may be something else wrong with it. Check for signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, dry mouth) or malnutrition (weakness). If either of these conditions is present, take your bird to an avian veterinarian.
What are the signs of a parakeet dying?
A parakeet with a high temperature is one of the most common signs that your bird is dying. If you notice your parakeet has a temperature of around 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above, it may be time to seek medical attention.
Another sign of death in parakeets is when your pet’s feathers start falling out. If you notice this happening, it could mean that your bird is suffering from an illness or disease and needs medical attention immediately.
If you feel like your parakeet is regurgitating more than usual, it might be because they are struggling to digest food due to an illness or disease. This can also mean that they need medical attention right away.
A good way to tell if your parakeet is in distress or near death is by looking for these signs:
- Your parakeet seems to be sleeping more than usual, or it’s sleeping in awkward positions (like an upside down).
- Your parakeet is not singing as much, or you see that it’s drooling or breathing heavily.
- Your parakeet has started urinating on itself, or its feathers are wet.
- Your parakeet’s eyes appear dull and sunken in, or they don’t open as wide as they had before.
What does a bird seizure look like?
A bird seizure can be a scary thing to witness. If your bird suddenly starts acting very strange, it’s important to understand what’s happening and how to help them.
Bird seizures look different from the kind of seizures that humans suffer from as they aren’t convulsive like ours are. Instead, they’re characterized by hyperactivity and unusual behavior.
If you notice that your bird is acting differently than usual, there are some things you can do to make sure they’re safe and comfortable while they recover.
What happens when a parakeet dies?
When a parakeet dies, the owner is likely to experience a range of emotional responses. In the short term, it’s normal to feel sad and upset. You might want to talk about it with friends or family members who can be there for you during this difficult time.
In the long term, it’s common for people who have lost their pets to experience grief similar to that felt after losing a close human friend or family member.
How do you dispose of a dead parakeet?
If you’re looking to dispose of a dead parakeet, you’ll need to consider where you live. Some cities and counties require that you bury your bird in an approved landfill, so it’s important to check your local regulations before deciding how to dispose of the body.
If you’re in a city or county that doesn’t require the bird to be buried, then you can dispose of the corpse by placing it in a plastic bag, tying it tightly shut, and placing it in the trash for disposal.
You can also bury your bird yourself if there are no laws requiring you to do otherwise. Just make sure that it’s at least 6 feet below ground level so scavengers won’t be able to dig up and eat the body.
Conclusion
Understanding your parakeet goes a long way to ensuring you have the best relationship with them. Also, it tends to determine their lifespan, which is one thing most parakeet owners do not understand. This post on why is my parakeet shaking gives insight in some of the behavior of the bird.
While some reasons for shaking are normal, some are not and can lead to death for the bird. It is the reason you need to know the reason your parakeet is shaking so that you can act in the right way.