My Lorikeet's appetite change

[Emrarrr]

Hi All

My name is Emily from Australia & I am new to the forum! I own a gorgeous male 2 and a half year old Rainbow Lorikeet called Aladdin who is like my child! I am sure you all know how in love you can be with these birds

I have a little question about Aladdin's appetite as I am a little bit worried.

Since I got him he has always had a massive appetite and was a little bit overweight at one stage only briefly and put on a diet! He would pounce on his bowl and scoff the lot like it was his last meal every time. He is quite a large lorikeet in general as it is. Anyway, lately he has shown far less interest in his food. When I put in his morning wet mix he will go over and have a couple of goes and then leaves the rest which is very out of character for him. He is only eating a very small amount of his fruit and veges if at all. He still eats the occasional treat though suprise suprise!

I understand before that his appetite was a bit too crazy so wondering maybe his appetite is now more normal? In the evening he does into a smaller cage with his newspaper he likes to sleep under and if I hold the bowl in front of him he will eat an ok amount.

He is given vetafarm golden lori wet mix and the dry mix is offered too. I give him apples, rockmelon, pear, corn, brocolli, carrots and native plants.

In every other aspect he is absolutely fine. He is vocal and playful, has a little fly when he comes out and is bright etc although looking a bit skinnier. Could the change in appetite due to him being extremely hormonal at the moment? The onset of winter? He has always been pretty hormonal, he regurgitates a lot and dances around and humps alot :huh: I have noticed this eating stuff begin as the weather has gotten colder. A month or so back he had a bit of a respiratory virus which he quickly recovered from and at the time he had full blood works done and physical examination- all good.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, I love him dearly and worry all the time haha

Sorry for the essay, just wanted to make sure I gave you all the info :laugh:

Thanks!
Em

[Wolf]

I really have no practical knowledge of this species of parrot, and have only read a little. I am always concerned when a parrot changes the amount of food that they eat. If he only just got over a respiratory infection, my first concern would be the possibility of a relapse.
Just for my info; based on what you wrote, I am assuming that this is his first winter since going through puberty and am wondering if this is correct.

[Pajarita]

I would also be very concerned about a medical issue as healthy birds limiting their food intake on their own is, as far as I know, unheard of. I also noted you said a 'respiratory virus' which is very unusual in birds as their respiratory infections are 99.99% bacterial (the only virus I can think of that would present respiratory symptoms is Newcastle and there is no cure for it) but it could also have been an aspergillosis that was misdiagnosed so, if I were you, I would take that bird back to the avian vet (it was an avian vet and not a 'regular' one, right?) asap.