FINCHforum

I just got 2 finches from the Humane Society. There were 4 in the cage and none of their tails were very filled out. Their necks weren't bald tho.
I saw one finch picking on the tail (less) of the finch that had none left and didn't select that one. But I HAD to take the tailless one home and get him out of there.
I haven't had him home 24 hours yet. He is staying on the bottom of the cage so I moved food and water down to the floor.
The other bird is up on the highest perch.
I am a little concerned about this guy. He was jumping around and moving freely at the Humane society so I don't think he is sick, but ...
Is there anything I should do for him? He seems a bit overwhelmed right now so I just left him with things in reach for the day.

NDan

It may be the stress of moving to a new home/environment that your bird is experiencing. You did the right thing to move the food and water lower to give the bird easier access. You might also want to provide them with a source of heat (clamp light with bulb), as that will help as well if they are stressed.

Have you seend the bird eating and drinking otherwise? Is is moving around the bottom of the cage or is it puffed and sleeping?

I haven't seen either eat or drink but we got in late last night and I had to leave for work early this morning. I'll see this afternoon how they are.
The one on the bottom isn't fluffed, just sits looking a bit confused. He tries to gauge the height of the perch to see if he should jump up but doesn't dare.
I don't think he is "sick" yet. I'll keep on eye out though.

You may need to place extra perches for this Society to get around as it will be difficult for it to fly from perch to perch without a rudder. Birds like to be above you, so having to sit on the bottom of the cage while its buddy is up high, would be stressful. I would keep things as low-key as possible for the next few days, your bird should settle right in soon.

ndan
i have had this in the past and i cut a long twig/branch from the garden and put it in the cage in a diagonal fashion so that the bird could get on at the bottom and walk its way up to where it wanted to be ..the tail soon grows back if the bird is in good condition

ken

This morning I opened curtains and the birds were all talking to each other. My tailless wonder was chiruping sweetly and happily. I put the perches down where he could jump up on them and move around. Now I have to get a few more. His buddy won't come DOWN. He just hangs on the side of the cage on top looking pitiful.
(but also was chirping a bit.)
He must have been down long enough to eat and drink or he wouldn't have the strength to just hang there. I think they will both settle soon. They seem pretty cheerful and content despite the hysterics.

hi ndan
glad to here your bird has made it through the night!

ken

I am just looking at my tailless guy today and had to chuckle. He has 2 little white feathers sticking out of his rump now. They are about 3/4 inch long and look very dashing. I was going to be worried that his follicles were injured since he was bleeding when I got him. Now I just enjoy watching a tail grow in!

Sunday when I caught all my birds for claw trimming and aviary maintenance I noticed my Society hen has a very stubby tail with most of the feathers missing. I hadn't noticed an abundance of tail feathers in the avairy recently so I'm not certain when this happened. I have my fingers crossed they grow back.

hi tammie
they will almost certainly grow back ,its probably due to you having to catch the birds to clip thier claws

ken