FINCHforum

About a week ago, my dog woke up in the middle of the night and made a bee line up the stairs to be let out. She was neither quiet or graceful about the procedure and she succeeded in scaring the heck out of my Gouldians. They have a night light but I think they were terrified because they were flying crazy and I remember thinking to myself that I hoped they wouldn't be injured in the morning. The next day they seemed fine, just a little subdued. They are normally pretty flighty and they were a bit quieter than normal but I kept a close eye on them and they both seemed fine and we're flying well. Fast forward to a couple of days ago and the male, Jacob, doesn't want to leave the bottom of the cage. He hops around on the bottom and when I go near its like he cannot fly up to the perches. He is eating and drinking and his poops look normal. He looks good, he just can't fly. And in one of the pics I was able to get he does look a bit injured to my. I've posted them below. What should I be doing for him? I haven't separated him because he's only in with one other finch, my female Gouldian, Emma. Should I put him in a hospital cage or leave him be to heal? Thanks for your thoughts.

Heat is good to start with... He may have injured himself in the fight and is suffering a soft tissue injury, maybe banged his head a bit. Does he act confused, dazed at all?

erine

This is such a strange coincidence.

I was just about to post something very similar about one of my young Strawberry females.

She has exactly the same problem, with the same symptoms which you describe with your Gouldian. Eating, drinking, but unable to fly. She can perch fine, but can't quite launch herself into flight.

Her left wing appears to be sitting at a somewhat odd angle.

PS Are you sure your Gouldian is a boy?

erine

In the second photo there looks to be a possible wound just under green wing an in the orangish breast area about an inch down from that lovely purple chest. Almost looks like a small blood splatter.

Arama I noticed that too. Will definitely try the heat and see if that helps.

@lovezebs Elana, no, no I'm not, lol. I supposedly have a male and a female and I can't remember which is which. So I picked one and called him a boy and the other a girl. I'm actually wondering if I have 2 females and was going to post a pic of the other one and ask for your thoughts. But, she is stressed that I keep checking on Jacob so I thought I'd leave her alone today. How very odd that you have a similarly injured bird! Was there a cage upset that you are aware of? What are you doing for your little one? Heat and hope for the best? I'll try and post a pic of Emma tomorrow and I'll keep you posted on how Jacob is doing.

Erin

cindy
Cindy, I haven't noticed that he's been dazed or confused. In fact, he seems full of sass just hopping around there at the bottom of the cage. I hope he recovers as I just love to watch them both and I'd hate to think of him in any pain.

good call Trisha...

check the joint and feathers of the wing and the birds body in that area.

I hope it's not bad

My previous star finch, Fruit, broke his wing at about that angle and was never able to fly much again. I just rearranged the cage around with large perches. Birds do adapt.

I hope yours is OK.

Kind Regards

Zebrafincher

cindy How do I check his wing without hurting him if he is injured? I don't have a lot of experience in this area and I don't want to cause him any more pain. Thanks for all your help.

Jacob is a hen, agree with the others, looks like an injury.

erine If you hold her gently and see if you can spread her wing, or if she tries of her own. If it is broken you will quickly see it dangle. If it is only strained then there will be no obvious break (or floppy wing).

I imagine if it were broken you would have noticed immediately that this bird could not fly. My guess is a sprain. heat rest and extra warmth will help your girl recover in no time at all. Just offer all its needs on the floor, food water etc. and possibly a very low perch.

Good luck.

erine & debbie276

I thought Jacob, might be a girl, lol...
So now will she remain Jacob, or become Jacoba, Jacobine, Jelllo...

Wishes for a speedy recovery and the best outcome

lovezebs@debbie276

So...does this mean Emma is a male?