Sweetie Pie

I think I would also be concerned about what you observe.
Does Sweetie always sit this way, and has she done this since you got her?
I don't know the answer. I hope one of our experts will know. But, I think the question above would be relevent.

Roxie, has Sweetie always fluffed herself like that, or is this something new she is doing? Fluffing up could mean she is cold, she is hungry, she is mad, or she feels yucky.

Sweetie could be sitting rather than perching simply because she is older and tired. I think it's a good sign that she is sitting up on a perch, rather than on the floor of the cage, as that truly would be cause for concern.

You know, it couldn't hurt to rig up a heating pad for her. Strap it to the outside of one end of the cage and maybe drape a towel over that end of the cage to hold in the warmth, and make sure there's something nearby for her to perch upon. If you see she's spending a lot of time hunkering in close to the heating pad end of the cage, you can assume she is either chilly or sick.

Keep watching her activity level, notice whether she's eating, and make sure she has opportunities to fly to you everyday. Please let us know if you see any other changes in her behavior.

Thanks for all your comments. I am not sure if she has always done this. I think she is doing it more though. But not all the time. I will have to observe how often and what time of day. I did notice as soon as I got Pearl the difference. Pearl is noticable sleeker looking, more agile and quick.

I am growing weary of cleaning and chopping veggies. I do put them in the seeds. Both of them are very stubborn about trying veggies. If sweetie eats off my plate she will spit out any fruit or vegetable. I try to trick her and she will climb back up to my shoulder and ignore my food

I got my birds to eat pellets just a couple of months ago. I mixed up 75% pellet and 25% seed to start with and of course, they ate only the seeds but tried the pellets more and more when they realized that the seed was gone! Now the mix is more like 90% pellet and 10% seed.

But just tried veggies recently too. I had tried veggies on a little plate at the bottom of their cage but it got ignored in favor of their regular food. So I took away their regular food and gave them a single layer of veggies over a thin layer of their regular food in their feeder cups. They had to touch the veggies to get to their pellet/seed. But I would give back their regular food in the afternoon. Their favorite is defrosted corn, peas, and broccoli florets. I do squish the pea seed shell so they can eat the insides. I added grated zucchini yesterday but not sure how much they really ate because it was grated finely and I didn't switch the food out. I add some pellet/seed back into their veggies now since I know they are eating the veggies.

Mixing up the veggies with their current (seed) diet is a good intro. Some birds seem to be particular about the textures of the veggies. I had tried a puree of veggies with a dash of pellet/seed but they did not like it at all. They prefer whole kernels of corn and whole peas and broccoli florets only (no stalk parts). Haven't found the right shape/texture for carrots yet.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have started offering less seed more pellets and they are nibbling some on the pellets. Sweetie does not fly as well as she did when I got her last fall. Twice she has ended up on the floor, pulled herself up using a dog crate and then flew to me.

I have not been around because I have two house sitting jobs, three extra dogs I am babysitting and work is extra busy. This too will pass.

Thanks everyone. I have been so busy that all the animals have had less of my time. Yesterday Sweetie fley more than usual to follow me from room to room. I think she is okay, just older and the difference between her and Pearl are noticable, and I worry to much.

Hi Dianna, Pearl and Sweetie get along, and I believe they appreciate having a companion, but they don't interact or preen reach other. Pearl is dominant and if she wants the food dish Sweetie is eating from Sweetie moves. Sweetie isn't bullied and, or because, she accepts Pearl as the dominant one. Sweetie is laid back and calm. Pearl is more active and reactive and stubborn. Sweetie doesn't do that flock call. Pearl is like a watch dog and does that call like an alert whenever she hears my tenant in the kitchen or the dogs are bothered by something. It is interesting because I think Pearl considers the dogs part of her odd flock. She responds to whatever nonsense is going on with them.