FINCHforum

So just this evening, I noticed that one of the two java finches is sitting puffed up on the rope perch panting. This finch is just 2 months old. There is no tail bobbing, no nasal discharge, no sneezing. "She" seemed fine earlier today ( the other java is currently acting normal).
At first I thought one of the toes seemed out of place but was not the problem. Since watching her for the last hour, she has stopped being puffed up and panting and hopped to get water and has eaten. She also has been preening herself and a little preening with the other finch. The "boy" java has been preening her and has been playing rough with pulling her tail. After doing "normal" things, she will go back to panting and puffy up.

If she is only 2 months old, are you the breeder, or did you buy her from someone? I don't have Java finches, but at 2 months, she is still a juvenile, barely weaned I would think. I would put a heat lamp on her (set so that she can move away from the heat if it gets to be too much) and keep an eye on her. She may need to be separated from the male while you watch her. Puffiness in a young bird is always a sign to watch them. Make certain she continues to eat and drink. Could the male Java be too rough with her? Is he an adult bird, perhaps wanting to mate? She is too young for that, and a hen that is being chased and is not ready for breeding will become stressed and pant.

I totally agree with what Sally posted.
good luck

I got both of them from a private breeder, this is the first time I have had java finches. Neither one of them have their adult colors yet so I don't believe "he" is trying mate with her. As of this morning, she is still eating/drinking fine and I haven't seen any panting as of yet. But she will still sit puffed a bit and off to the side (leaning). I am beginning to believe maybe I was right in the first place with thinking it is something to do with her foot. Maybe he pulled on it? I will have my son watch them today as I need to leave for work. There doesn't seem to be any swelling.

Ps, I didn't use a heat lamp on her last night but the temp in the room where they are was turned up to 83 degrees.

You can purchase an inexpensive gooseneck desk lamp and use a 60w bulb and you have a heat lamp to keep on hand. Most birds have trouble keeping warm when ill, they are putting all their energy into getting better, so they will gravitate to that heat lamp. If it is aimed at one end of the perch, the bird can move away from the heat if it gets too warm.

Often, when birds are sold so young, before they have molted into their adult plumage, they will be more susceptible to stress and can fall ill much quicker than an older bird. With very young birds, I feed lots of eggfood--they are still growing and need the extra protein. The eggfood also helps them get through the molt, another stressful time for them. Please keep us posted on your little Java finch.

Thanks for all your advice. I will start feeding the eggfood today. I am happy to report that the baby girl seems fine today.
The back toe on the foot in question seems to be staying straight and not curling in. This seems to be what the problem was. Not sure how she injured the toe but at least she is not ill. I was so worried that I was going to lose her! Now as soon as I figure out how to post pictures, I will post some of them.