yellowhead parrot

Question
QUESTION: My bird starting  to lose his balance when climbing and sitting, I don't think he can see very well,   he is approx. 34 years old. Is this due to old age or something else? He eats very well.

ANSWER: hi. thanks for your question. i would take this bird to a vet ASAP. it is reassuring to hear that he is eating well however birds usually mask any signs of illness as long as they can...this is an evolutionary trait that birds use to keep predators away as predators often go after the ill/sick looking birds.
the fact that he is losing balance is very concerning to me. unlike dogs, birds tend to hang on to their eyesight for much longer and for much later in life. balance issues also are not necessarily due to poor eyesight.  i would get this bird to a vet immediately to rule out anything more serious. do not delay! birds can get ill and die very quickly! please let me know what happens! alicia

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QUESTION: My birds claws seem to be drawing up, he can walk some with the claws opened. I would like to know why this has happened.They seem to be not as strong as they werewith gripping on to things. I think that is why he keeps losing his balance.

Answer
hi. thanks for your question. again, i advise you to take him to the vet. he may be suffering from some type of infection or neurological/neuromuscular problem that is causing him to keep the feet closed. normally the only time a healthy bird should have issues staying balanced with his claws is after a clipping (sometimes they cannot grip as well with trimmed claws and have to either get used to balancing with the shorter claws or wait until they grow back). either way, this is not normal and it is not possible to diagnose him without having a vet, preferably an avian vet, see him. please do not delay and take him in asap. good luck. alicia