My budgie is licking everything

[chigen123]

My 1-2 year old budgie Dave (I’m not sure his exact age) has been licking things in the room and in his cage obsessively, especially metals and anything reflective or with a luster. I’m not sure if this is normal, so could you tell me if you know?
Thank you very much!

 

[soundsfun]

I have to say, the title and your post made me laugh! So cute and funny! It's probably not funny to you though!

My budgie Tofu also likes to lick reflective surfaces. It looks almost to me like he thinks his reflection is another budgie and he's trying to preen it? It seems normal-ish to me and he hasn't licked anything harmful so I haven't been concerned.

 

[Sparkles99]

Mine don't lick stuff, but then I don't have really shiny stuff.

 

[Lady Jane]

Something is wrong and this bird needs to be examined by an avian vet soon.

 

[chigen123]

I have to say, the title and your post made me laugh! So cute and funny! It's probably not funny to you though!

My budgie Tofu also likes to lick reflective surfaces. It looks almost to me like he thinks his reflection is another budgie and he's trying to preen it? It seems normal-ish to me and he hasn't licked anything harmful so I haven't been concerned.

Thank you! It’s reassuring to know it’s not an uncommon thing. I greatly appreciate your response.

 

[chigen123]

Something is wrong and this bird needs to be examined by an avian vet soon.

Do you know what might be wrong? (Is it a serious medical condition?)

 

[Benjibird]

It seems like Dave may be lacking some essential minerals in his diet that he is trying to find by licking everything. It would be best to bring him to the vet asap especially because you mentioned that it is excessive.

 

[chigen123]

It seems like Dave may be lacking some essential minerals in his diet that he is trying to find by licking everything. It would be best to bring him to the vet asap especially because you mentioned that it is excessive.

Thank you! We have not visited a vet for him before, but I’ll try to get him treated as soon as possible.

 

[Shezbug]

I agree that a vet check is important and better done sooner rather than later.
What is your birds current diet?

 

[chigen123]

I agree that a vet check is important and better done sooner rather than later.
What is your birds current diet?

We give him a seed diet and have been attempting to get him to try fruits+veggies(which I know he needs) for a while with no success.

 

[Lady Jane]

The vet will want to know this information about diet. Budgies usually don’t go for fruit. Look into making birdie bread as a way of feeding more veggies and balanced diet.

Converting Parrots to a Healthier Diet - Tips

A healthy parrot starts with a healthy diet. Although the perfect diet is controversial, many parrot enthusiasts and experts agree on one thing; a seed only diet is a diet that is lacking in essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Studies have shown that adding fresh foods and pellets to a...

forums.avianavenue.com

 

[chigen123]

The vet will want to know this information about diet. Budgies usually don’t go for fruit. Look into making birdie bread as a way of feeding more veggies and balanced diet.

Converting Parrots to a Healthier Diet - Tips

A healthy parrot starts with a healthy diet. Although the perfect diet is controversial, many parrot enthusiasts and experts agree on one thing; a seed only diet is a diet that is lacking in essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Studies have shown that adding fresh foods and pellets to a...

forums.avianavenue.com

Thank you very much! You guys are lifesavers.

 

[minkylory]

hope your little guy will be okay it either sounds like he thinks its another bird and is trying to interact with it or as the others said, it could be a mineral deficiency. hopefully he's just being silly good luck

 

[chigen123]

hope your little guy will be okay it either sounds like he thinks its another bird and is trying to interact with it or as the others said, it could be a mineral deficiency. hopefully he's just being silly good luck

Thank you!

 

[chigen123]

My 1-2 year old budgie Dave (I’m not sure his exact age) has been licking things in the room and in his cage obsessively, especially metals and anything reflective or with a luster. I’m not sure if this is normal, so could you tell me if you know?
Thank you very much!

UPDATE: We’ve consulted a vet and we are now feeding him a pellet mix they recommended. He seems to be doing better and I will keep you all updated. Thank you again so much for helping me!

 

[Shezbug]

UPDATE: We’ve consulted a vet and we are now feeding him a pellet mix they recommended. He seems to be doing better and I will keep you all updated. Thank you again so much for helping me!

Curious what pellet mix they recommended- each vet seems to recommend a different pellet and also a different ratio of seed to pellet. Will you share which food your vet recommended?

 

[soundsfun]

That's great news. Did the vet have any suggestions as to the cause?

 

[minkylory]

UPDATE: We’ve consulted a vet and we are now feeding him a pellet mix they recommended. He seems to be doing better and I will keep you all updated. Thank you again so much for helping me!

yaaay that's so great

 

[chigen123]

Curious what pellet mix they recommended- each vet seems to recommend a different pellet and also a different ratio of seed to pellet. Will you share which food your vet recommended?

Yes! It is the ZuPreem FruitBlend pellet mix.

 

[chigen123]

UPDATE: We’ve consulted a vet and we are now feeding him a pellet mix they recommended. He seems to be doing better and I will keep you all updated. Thank you again so much for helping me!

UPDATE: Dave has not been eating much of the pellet mix recently and has been roaming around my room to find spare seeds that I haven’t cleaned up. I gave him some of the seed I had been feeding him previously, and that seemed to help temporarily. Now he’s inactive most of the day, and generally assumes the same position in which he would sleep. I’m not sure what’s going on with him, so I’m once again asking for the help of anyone who reads this. Thank you all very much. Attached is a picture of Dave which I took prior to posting this.