Odd behavior in your pet bird will likely worry you, any strange behavior may lead you to think that the bird is either sick or injured.
Your parakeet not using one foot is an example of odd behavior in your bird. This article looks into why this happens.
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Parakeet not using one foot:
Every part of your bird’s body has a specific function, and if any part of your bird’s body isn’t functioning properly then the bird will be impaired.
If the bird isn’t using a part of its body then there may be something wrong.
Here are reasons why your parakeet is not using one foot:
Infection:
If your parakeet’s foot is infected then the bird may avoid using this foot and prefer the other foot.
If your parakeet injured the underside of its foot, and bacteria entered the bird’s open wound, then the bird may develop a staph infection.
If infected, the bird’s body will send blood and white blood cells to fight off the infection. This will cause the foot to become swollen and painful.
The bird may favor the other foot because the infected foot is in pain.
Injury:
Birds have hollow bones, these hollow bones reduce the bird’s overall weight allowing the bird to fly.
Unfortunately, the hollow bones also have a downside. They are weak and because of this, they are prone to injuries.
If your bird prefers one leg over another, then this may mean that the leg or foot suffered an injury.
The injury may not have damaged the bones in the bird’s leg, but, it may have damaged the tissue and this may still be painful.
Your parakeet may sustain an injury if it falls from a high height, if it fights with another bird in the cage, or, if it has an encounter with one of your other household pets like your dog or your cat.
Arthritis:
If your bird is an older bird then the bird may be suffering from arthritis.
Not only can humans develop arthritis but birds can develop arthritis as well.
This condition doesn’t always affect both sides of the bird’s body in the same way.
It is quite common for arthritis to affect only one joint in your bird’s body, for example, a joint in one leg or foot.
The arthritis may be causing pain in the bird’s leg and this may be why your bird isn’t using one leg.
Other signs of arthritis in your bird include disfigured toes, toes that aren’t pointing in a natural direction, and joints that are red, swollen, and hot.
Your affected parakeet may also bite at, or snap at, the affected leg. The bird will do this because it doesn’t understand the pain.
Normal behavior:
If your parakeet is in good health, and is resting and sleeping on one foot, then don’t be alarmed, this is normal behavior.
Standing on one foot allows parakeets, and other birds, to rest the other foot and leg.
This position is actually quite comfortable for the bird. In addition, standing on one foot is helpful as it reduces heat loss.
In fact, you should start to worry if the bird starts standing on two feet too much.
What to do:
Your bird may be suffering from a variety of feet or leg-related issues and the treatment will be dependent on what the issue with the bird’s foot is.
You can diagnose the bird at home, or, you may take the bird to the vet to be diagnosed and treated.
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other bird related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Baby Budgie Feet Problems, My Budgie Is Not Playful, Why Is My Budgie Suddenly Scared Of Me, Why Does My Budgie Keep Looking Up, Why Does My Budgie Keep Calling?, Budgie Is Sick But Still Eating, Why Is My Budgie Quiet And Sleepy