new gouldian question

[jaffacake]

good evening everybody , im fairly new to keeping birds and i have a question about a new gouldian that i got i bought 3 and since putting them in the aviary one doesnt seem to want to fly ,its just hopping around the floor and maybe flying a few feet but it doesnt seem to be able to fly upwards. im wondering if its abit stressed with the new surroundings or if its anything to do with moulting as it is at the moment or even something else ? ive picked it up and checked its wings , there are no visable injuries , can anyone say what may be wrong , thank you

[debbie276]

Many times if the bird was kept in a smaller cage and/or not a tall cage, their muscles will be weaker and they will not be able to fly well. With daily exercise they will develop stronger muscles and you will notice it flying much better.
Molting should not prevent a bird from flying. In nature if they can't fly they would be sitting ducks for predators.

good luck, please keep us posted to how they do

[Sally]

You've gotten a good answer already, I just wanted to welcome you to the forum! There's lots of good reading at www.finchinfo.com, where you will find many articles on finch care. If you put your general location in your profile, it will make it easier for members to direct you to where to get supplies, etc.

[Barbara]

jaffacake how is your gouldian doing? not sure how your set up is but maybe set up a few more perches so he can hop up to the top,that's what I do when I put my new finches is the bigger flight I slip a few plastic perches that slide right in and out from the outside of the cage,then when they get to know there environment a little better there flying great before you know it then I slip the plastic perches out,best of luck with your new birds

[jaffacake]

thank you all for the advice , there is plenty of perches in there but ill put some lower ones in today , hes eating ok and ive seen him in the bath just no improvement on the flying , he can fly the full length of the aviary but hes only about 2 foot off the ground

[paul-inAZ]

This is a timely question for me.
I have a Gouldian just like yours. This is a juvie now 2 months old. It has always been a weak flyer. Now it will fly horizontally for short distances and vertically for only a foot or so when it seems to run out of energy. It's flight looks a lot like that of a newly fledged juvie.
It looks and acts quite normal otherwise with no apparent defects of it's wings. It's 4 siblings are fine.

I've never seen anything like this and clearly don't know what is causing it.
Something to observe to see into which direction the problem evolves.

[jaffacake]

so ive put some lower perches in and today i saw him on a higher branch , now im not sure if he flew up there or just did some branch hopping but hes made some progress so i feel happier today