FINCHforum

I have a female star finch that is panting or breathing with her mouth open it seems. She is chirping or singing a good bit also if that means anything. She also puffs up but if I get near her, her feathers tighten up again. Any thoughts?

Chase is there a chance she could possibly be eggbound or getting ready to lay an egg, does her bottom under the base of the tail look heavy?

I think you could be right. I will be able to see better in the morning.

Put a warming/heat lamp over an area where she can sit under it, even at night...it will help her pass it and be more comfortable.

Will do.
Also, I have 4 owl hatchlings that are about 14 days old. They seem to be doing really well. I want to close band them but I am very nervous to mess with them.

It did not turn out well.

I'm sorry to hear that Chase

Did she ever lay/pass any eggs?

No she didn't. I am hoping that's what it was and not something mysterious.

So sorry Chase

I'm sorry for your loss. It never gets easier to lose a bird. My condolences.

Very sorry to hear

So sorry for your loss....I lost a Star hen to the same last month....She was panting, and I thought I heard a click when she was breathing, so I set her up with Iverlux and after I set up the heat lamp I found her on the bottom of the cage.....It happened so fast....One minute she was there and then she was gone....It was a mystery to me as well....I don't believe she was eggbound, but I will never know...So sorry!

hi
so sorry for your loss,but as you know i have kept birds since the late 70s and you never get used to losing one even in less mysterious circumstances i have sat there and pondered for ages of why a certain finch has just died but sometimes you just cant figure it out....unfortunately its something we have to get used to

ken

I am saddened every time I hear about someone's loss of a pet. I think with finches, who are so small and seemingly helpless, we feel lost in our attempts to get them healthy or take away their pain. My condolences. We grieve with you.

So sorry for your loss. Try to remember that because they are prey animals, they hide any illness until they are near death. By then there isn't much anyone can do. If we save one it's truly a miracle and not the norm. Still it's hard to lose such a beautiful bird. Sorry