Balancing issue???

[FinchNerd]

I have two male zebra finches, Aristotle and Socrates. Got them at Petsmart so I have no idea how old they are other than I've now had them for nearly 4 years. They are at least that old, probably nearing 5. Aristotle is perfectly normal and healthy. However, lately Socrates has been gradually acting a little strange. He still eats and drinks water regularly, he's alert and chirps and sings, but he seems to have some issues with flying and/or balancing on a perch. His feet and nails look normal. I see no signs of injury. My best guess is either he's having vision issues, neurological/balance problems, or maybe even arthritis. He may just be getting old.

It's been a gradual change, but he spends much of his time on the bottom of the cage. He is capable of balancing/flying, just seems to go out of his way not to do either. Is this a normal sign of aging? Today I transferred him to a small hospital cage where he is being kept warm with plenty of access to food and clean water close to the cage bottom. He seems perfectly content. He's eating, drinking, singing, etc. Any advice?

Footnote: He's been about the same for a few weeks now. Not really getting any worse that I can tell. I wasn't even sure about transferring him to the hospital cage because he's not really acting as sick as he is just handicapped. But I finally just did it so I could better observe him and I'd know he had easier access to food and water.

[FinchNerd]

Update: Okay so after watching him eat, sing, groom, etc. I went ahead and modified the big cage to be more handicap accessible while he was resting up in the hospital cage. I transferred him back and he's got easy access to food, water, his nest, a perch, his cuttlebone, etc. And there is still plenty of perch/swing/flight space for his buddy Aristotle to enjoy as well. Socrates seems very happy and is doing great.

[Chocolatebex]

Hi Victoria,
I know you posted this months ago but one of my finches is having similar issues. He's absolutely fine apart from getting a bit stressed about flying- he's quite old so it might be his age, but I wondered how your little bird got on...fingers crossed he's fine and it wasn't anything too serious.

Thanks,
Becky

[FinchNerd]

I apologize for not seeing this sooner, I realize I haven't been on here in a long time. I hope your little bird is okay. I'm sorry to report we lost my little Socrates a few months later. His problems kept worsening until one day he passed. I suspect it was a neurological, genetic, or age-related issue. We had had him for almost 5 years and since he was an adult when we got him, I am uncertain of how old he was. I can say that he seemed quite happy and comfortable up to the end. He still sang, ate, etc. We still have his partner Aristotle who is completely healthy, happy, and normal.

[EyesofFreedom]

Victoria did he move his head in funny ways? Like this video of the bird "twirling"...

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

[FinchNerd]

Nope. Nothing like that. He just seemed to not be able to get around that great.

[EyesofFreedom]

Ok good...

He may of been just be getting arthritic...

[Chocolatebex]

Thanks Victoria- really appreciate your response mine is hanging in there but struggling more and more now and just lives on the floor. We're making the most of him while we have him. Enjoy Arisotle!