Paralytic Plumhead

[emmo]

I have a female Plum-Headed Finch who has suddenly started falling out of the air - when flying or attempting to land - and just lying on her side or back or however she lands, looking for all the world as if she is about to die. If left alone, after a minute or so she starts moving, rights herself, then either takes off as if nothing has happened, or maybe flutters a bit as if one wing and/or leg is paralysed, then soon gets right and starts flying again. If I touch her, or go to touch her, she has immediately bounced back to life and taken off, or let me right her and then she takes off. I have seen this four times over the past week and I'm sure it must be happening regularly when I am not around to observe. Can anybody tell me what is going on?

[vettepilot_6]

Don't think I would be breeding from her....

[mattymeischke]

Sounds like seizures...
I'd ask a vet if that's possible.

There was an epileptic budgie at the motel in Gunning some years ago; it was successfully treated with medicine in the drinking water.

I wouldn't breed from her, either.

[amalan11]

I had an epeleptic peachface for several years.She would have awful seizures on her back lasting a few minutes ,The vet couldnt help her .We just made sure she had plenty of soft sawdust for when she fell off her perch and she lived for 8 years .With a finch be sure theres no water she can drown in ,there no contol during a fit I can see a finch drowning

[Finchy]

Sounds like a birdy version of Narcolepsy. Certainly something neurological. How interesting.