Every bird owner knows that parakeets are lovely and jolly birds.
They are great bird companions and have a perfect personality suited for any kind of owner, whether they are beginners or experienced.
Occasionally, however, budgies display odd behaviors that may really pique our attention.
One of these is seeing your budgie laying completely on their belly.
In nature, Budgerigars are prey birds and have a lot of predators waiting on them.
This reason is enough for them to hate completely laying on their belly as it leaves them vulnerable.
When your budgie is laying on its belly, it may be a sign of frailty and sickness.
This is commonly encountered when a bird is old, aging between 5 and 10 years old.
If your parakeet displays this behavior, it is better to consult a veterinarian to check their health.
Let’s look at the possible reasons why your budgie lays on their belly
3 Possible Reasons Your Budgie Is Laying On Belly
Each budgie is different from one another.
Even though completely laying on its belly is not considered normal, some may also do this out of other reasons.
This is especially the case when your bird is still young.
1. Poor Control of Feet
Baby budgies usually lay on their belly completely as they cannot really control their feet yet.
This is commonly seen in newborn parakeets as they do not have any sort of strength yet in their limbs.
As they grow older, they will eventually learn how to walk and perch on their own.
2. Old Age
Like any other creatures, budgies tend to become physically weak when they become old.
These birds can live for about 5 to 8 years, but if they are have been taken care of really well, some even last up to 15 years.
However, their bones and their overall physical health will deteriorate in time.
If your budgie has been with you for years already, seeing them laying on their belly would be because of frailty and old age unfortunately
3. Sickness
Parakeets are lively birds, so they love to fly around and engage in various activities.
If you have seen your parakeet lying on its belly, looking so weak, it may be a sign of sickness.
Their way of lying can be their way to rest and recharge their energy.
If you’re concerned then it would be a good idea to take your bird to the vets
What Does It Mean When a Budgie Lays Down?
Laying down completely has a very high possibility of weakness and serious condition for birds.
After all, budgies are normally active birds, so a sudden lethargy could mean something is not normal.
When a budgie lays down, it usually has something to do with their health taking a down turn
Your precious bird might be sick or in serious pain in their limb.
In a worst case scenario, a laying parakeet can mean an awaiting death due to poor and seriously weakened health.
Though some budgies lay down to fully chill and relax in their cage.
If your budgie is still a baby, then laying down is their way to sit as they can’t fully control their limbs yet.
If your parakeet is still newly-adopted, there is a high chance that your bird is just shy and still afraid of the environment.
However, it is better to remain vigilant and continue to monitor their condition, just in case there is a more pressing issue behind their behavior.
Is It Normal For Your Budgie To Lay Down?
It is not normal for budgies to lay down.
Parakeets are prey birds, so laying down would not help them escape quickly from their predators.
These birds, in reality, hate lying down completely as it puts them in a vulnerable state.
So seeing your birdie lay down completely on their belly can be a sign of something serious.
Many bird owners do not really become cautiously aware when their parakeets are on their belly, not until a few more signs of failing health are slowly emerging.
In nature, budgies are at the lowest level of the food chain, which means they have a lot of predators.
Since they are considered to be prey, they are skilled in not letting any signs of vulnerability be seen.
They are good at hiding their real condition, so they may act like everything’s fine while laying on their belly, when in reality, they might be suffering from a serious illness.
If you suspect that your parakeet is not okay, take them to your nearest veterinarian to get them assessed
What Are The Signs Of A Dying Budgie?
Budgies only have a short to average lifespan.
When they are near the end of their life, they will display a few signs of this, which is why owners tend to have a painful experience when taking care of them.
1. Breathing and respiratory problems
If your parakeet shows some breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, wheezing sounds, breathing heavily through an open beak, and other concerning actions, it is a sign of a serious underlying condition.
Dying parakeets often have serious struggles regarding their breathing.
They may even suffer from respiratory conditions that can make the whole situation worse.
2. Poor physical appearance
Sudden changes in their feathers such as becoming dull, or failure to molt can be a sign of a disease.
If your budgie also stopped preening and grooming themselves, it may possibly be because of their weakened health as they are struggling to move.
3. Weakness
Parakeets are active birds and they always love to explore different things.
Lethargy and weakness could be a huge sign that something is wrong with them.
Dying parakeets are more weak, always sleepy, and have low energy levels indicating their deteriorating health.
What can you do in these difficult times?
Unfortunately not much but you can be there for them
Look after your budgie and spend time with your bird
That way at least you can comfort them during these hard times
Wrapping Up
Parakeets only have an average lifespan between 5 and 8 years.
If they are being taken good care of, some may even live up to 15 years.
However, there are several signs that could be seen regarding their health issues, such as laying on their belly.
Baby budgies will lay on their belly as they have weak control of their limbs yet.
However, if your parakeet is seriously old, laying on their belly has a great chance of being related to their poor, frail health.
It is important to consult a veterinarian and get them checked out to make sure everything is okay
