strange movement

[hardroumli]

Hi,
My female Zebra Finch is unable to coordinate its movements properly.
It's been like that for like three months. Unfortunately we don't have an
avian vet where I live , so any help with the diagnosis is greatly appreciated.
Even flying is not normal... flipping and turning in the air and then falling.

please check the video link below
thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlOkZQP3S2w

[ranchnanny]

That's twirling I think..... I have never had a bird do that but I know there are folks on this forum that could help you.... It's heart breaking to see.... Good Luck

[hardroumli]

That's twirling I think..... I have never had a bird do that but I know there are folks on this forum that could help you.... It's heart breaking to see.... Good Luck

Thank you for your post,
It was in the same aviary with another 24 birds.
So do you think I have to be worried about them?
Is there anything I can do to prevent this from happening to the other birds?

[debbie276]

Sure does look like twirling. Here's an article that may help you, http://www.finchniche.com/features_twirling.php
good luck

[Sally]

I'm moving this thread to the Health forum, so other members may notice it.

[EyesofFreedom]

Wow I never knew about this... and after watching the video and reading more about this... its heartbreaking

Hopefully with it only being three months you can treat it with the liquid...

Keep us posted and I wish your bird a full and speedy recovery

[Lisa]

Was the bird doing this before you moved it into a small cage?

I have 2 gouldians that freaked out like this temporarily when moved to a new cage. One went from a normal size breeding cage to a large aviary and started flying off balance, twisting her head, etc. I moved her back to a breeding cage and it immediately stopped and she has had no signs since.

I have another gouldian that I moved into a breeding cage that was in the center of a stacked rack of 3. She also started going a little berserk with this. I moved her cage to the top of the rack so she had no other cage above her and she settled right down and no problems since.

It almost seems like a type of vertigo when they are used to one cage size/dimensions and then suddenly they have a new one. Try moving her to a larger cage and see how she does. I hope she recovers... it might be too late if it's already been 3 months. Both of mine I moved within hours and they both immediately stopped this behavior.

[bugaboo5]

That breaks my heart. It does look like she's twirling.

As for your other birds, I think they should be fine. It is recommended that you not breed birds that have this twirling disorder. I don't believe the "twirling" can spread otherwise. As far as I know, it's not a virus or bacterial ailment.

[GB1]

It looks like twirling. Poor thing. I hope she gets better. Try Debbie's advice.

[cuteus]

just keep her in her own cage for now. Unfortunately, she might have hurt herself somehow or she might be more susceptible to certain things, that the others are not. It is a neurological condition that sometimes might go in remission but might come back. So many theories exist, it is hard to tell what actually caused it. If it is a virus, maybe the others are not susceptible to it. Are all birds related? all finches? My two twirlers are now housed together, but the other 12 are flying free in their room. No others are showing the same signs after three months since the last one showed symptoms. We tried steroid shots and antibiotics shots. The neurological symptoms remain. Mine are male and one has not bathed or sang since he showed the twirling. He might have hurt himself when he could not fly well and might not fully recover. He still seems happy to perch, eat and drink. Loves his greens. I sometimes supplement his feeding with baby food, in case he is not successfully eating his seeds. keep her safe and good luck.