Standing on one foot? Is he ok?

[paper_lantern]

My baby Furbie sometimes sleeps on one leg, I know thats normal. But today he has been standing on his perch on one leg when hes in his cage. I looked at his leg...there are no scratches, no blood or anything...he climbs with it and grips food with it as well.

Do you think maybe he hurt himself on a toy or something? Is this normal behavior?

I can't get to the Avian vet tonight, its almost midnight here =( I'm worried!!

[Michael]

It means he's cold.

[paper_lantern]

Really? Wow! The heat is at about 75 here, I guess I'll turn it up a bit more..thanks Michael

[Michael]

Sorry for bad memory, is this the bird that was shipped and delayed enroute? Consider the temps it would have been used to at the breeder's. Younger birds need more heat. Standing on one leg (except for injury which you pretty much ruled out by seeing him climbing fine) is for heat retention. The skin on the feet radiates heat much quicker because it is exposed. By tucking one foot under feathers, the bird can reduce its heat loss. It will do this at night while sleeping to lower metabolism. It will do this during the daytime when relaxing and sleepy. But it could also be a sign of illness that the bird is trying to conserve heat to battle infection. If an owner has their birds for long and knows that temperatures haven't changed and the parrot shifted from standing normally to standing on one leg all the time, it could be seen as a sign of illness. Since you don't know your bird well enough you can't really tell if it is tiredness, coldness, or illness that is the primary cause. In any case, in the short term the bird is cold and covering the cage, pointing a lamp, or placing a localized heater can help.

[dohcsvt]

Just a side note, if you have him step up while he is standing on one leg when he gats on your hand the extra heat in the leg that was tucked is extremely obvious. The first time I noticed it I was really surprised.

Glad to see he got to you happy and healthy!