FINCHforum

My Gouldian finch, Charlie, has always had quite a limber head/neck, especially when he's curious about something or trying to scope out something in the cage.

Recently, however (last few weeks), he has been bending his neck all the way back (think of doing a backbend with just your neck so that it touches your back) and sometimes flailing around at night. He usually ends up at the bottom of the cage and sleeps there. But then the next day he's fine and up on perches and eating. He does do the head bending during the day, too, though.

I've read all I could on twirling, and he doesn't exhibit those rapid twisting behaviors like in the videos on ladygouldianfinch.com. He's not fluffed up, so I don't think it's an infection, but I'm not sure what to do. So far I've just given him heat and put towels on the bottom of the cage to soften it for him.

Any suggestions? I'm worried about him and I want him to be as comfortable as possible.

Have you just moved him from a large area to a small cage. Could be early signs of twirlling. Maybe start treatment early.