FINCHforum

Hi Everyone - I'm usually a bit of a lurker, just reading the forums - but recently a behavior change in one of my gouldians has prompted me to write.

I went on vacation and my father was watching my birds. I had a flight with about 8 different pairs of finches (2+2 Gouldians, 2 Cordons, 2 Owls). The 2 male Goulds seemed to be fighting over one of the females before I left - but it didn't seem to out of hand and everyone seemed to be holding their own.

I got back from vacation, and one of the males was hopping around the bottom of the cage and didn't seem to be able to fly well. He can fly somewhat and can even get to the top perches fine. He doesn't seem to have a balance problem. Just trouble flying. His wing doesn't look any different (doesn't look broken) he just doesn't seem to be able to get a lot of lift.

He isn't hunched down or ruffled up or anything like that...other than the fact he can't fly well he seems fine. Also he has started molting.

Could the molting cause the problem with flying? Seems like it shouldn't but I'm new to the bird world.

I moved him to another cage (along with one of the females) and everything seems fine - he's back on the top perch... although he does struggle to get up there.

Also he was a big singer and since he hasn't been able to fly, he's been quiet.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated...

Worried, but not panicked (yet)....

Not quite sure what's going on but I do know that molting puts a lot of stress on birds. It's one reason breeders don't breed their birds during molt.

Hmmm... sounds like it could be an injury, although gouldian finches aren't normally that aggressive. Do you have 2 males and 2 females? How big is their flight cage?

I would catch him and take a closer look at his wing and let us know what you see.

I have finally stopped worrying... he has been singing for the last few days...so even though he's not flying he's eating, drinking and believe it or not singing! It was music to my ears and it instantly calmed me down... I figured he wouldn't be singing unless he was healthy and happy.

Thanks everyone for getting back to me. Being new at this I'm always worried something will happen to them...