FINCHforum

So twice now, my male zebra finch Minuet has displayed unusual behavior. For a whole day he'll be quiet, puff up a little, and sleep for most of the day. He almost acts melancholy. He'll eat and drink, and if I stick my hand in the cage he'll fly around just fine. He'll sit on a perch or the nesting box with his head turned into his shoulder. Sometimes he'll go into the nest and stay in there for a long period of time. Cadence, the female, will either hop and fly around the cage like she's got a lot of energy to burn, or she'll act like she's trying to comfort him. It only lasts for one day, then the next he's perfectly fine. He'll be back to his normal, energetic, singing and peeping self as if nothing happened at all.

The first time was maybe a week and a half to two weeks ago, the second time was yesterday. I tried looking up various causes for the change in his behavior, but everything I found that described his behavior had other symptoms which he was lacking. I thought perhaps that yesterday may have been due to stress, because I moved on Sunday. Does anyone have a clue as to why he was behaving like that?

Just like humans, he may have just been feeling a little under the weather for a little while.

I would just keep an eye on him, make sure he's eating/drinking, etc.

Often my finches will act a little "down" when the weather is gloomy. Sometimes they also just seem to have an off day. When that happens I'll give them a special treat and that often perks them up. It sounds like you are watching closely, so if it is something more worrisome you can catch it early.

Thanks for the advice. I guess it really just must have been an off day for him. I'll try giving him a treat if/when it happens again. Maybe it will help him feel better.

Sorry I'm not commenting on your question but i just had to say I absolutely love your name. Sirpeepsalot, classic

LOL! Well thank you Dayna. *bows*