my parakeet is on the bottom of cage why?

Question
Hello I have 2 parakeets that share the same cage, are around the same age & have been together for 2 yrs.One is male one female.The male started staying @ the bottom of the cage about2 months ago.I had a vet look at him the other day he needed his nails cut they were long.The vet said he looked healthy & bright & maybe it is a dominating issue.I divided the cage with a divider that came with it when I bought it.There's 2 sizes of perches.Why does he still stay at the bottom.I lift him up,he's never tried to bite,on the perches sometimes he will perch for a few minutes then he seems to slip off like he can't grip.He wont whistle anymore either he is still eating and drinking and grooming himself.do his feet hurt should I make a bed for the bottom of the cage?I am worried and need direction any advise would be greatly appriciated thank you for your time.  

Answer
Hi, Jessica.  Thanks for posting.

Did you take your keet to a bird (avian) vet?  A cat/dog vet doesn't have knowledge of birds.  When you say the vet said he "looked healthy and bright"...did the vet take any cloaca or cloanal swabs and test them?

Unless the height of the cage is such that the bird has to be on the bottom of it's cage to interact with you, then sitting/staying on the bottom all the time isn't normal.  Parrots are supposed to perch.  If he can't grip a perch, this might be the reason he's staying on the bottom.  This would tell me that something medically is wrong.

I recommend you take your keet to a different avian vet for evaluation (or take him to an avian vet if you previously took him to a cat/dog vet).  

Chrys