FINCHforum

Noticed Sugar (female Society) was on cage floor twitching her head and rubbing her beak. She loses her balance and falls to one side, flaps to catch herself. At first I thought she had something stuck in her beak but then noticed she is unsteady on the perch; wings are drooping. She finally hopped in the nest. Her mate seems to be guarding her. All day all four birds have been unusually loud. Not sure what is going on. Last few days my birds have been dunking each other in their bath- getting soaked to the skin. Could that cause an ear infection?

Society's are usually pretty resilient and hardy, but I guess it's possible for water to get into the ear. Sometimes, a night fright can cause some neurological symptoms as you described, as can Twirling (not common in Society's), and other health problems, maybe a mite infestation, but you'd probably see the other finches scratching and over preening. I'd put a heat lamp near the nest, but don't let it get too hot. Watch for droppings that look abnormal or any new problem. I pray she is alright.

Long shot but need to ask....has she been laying eggs? Could she be eggbound and in pain? Does she look heavy near the vent area like an egg is under the skin.

It could be an inner ear thing or as Deborah mentioned night frights, she may have hit the side of the cage or a perch and injured her beak and head.

Now that you mention night frights, I did find her out of the nest the night before symptoms started. Their cage was covered for the night and I was at my desk computer right next to it. Thought I heard someone moving around so checked. Sugar was on the floor of the cage- she never gets out of the nest at night. Left desk light on and cover partly open for awhile. She climbed back up and went to sleep. Our night light had burnt out...we hadn't noticed. She is better today....eating, drinking...slightly unsteady but much better.