Why is my budgie hunched over?
Budgies may hunch over when pregnant and/or resting on a perch. It can be a sign of concern if this is accompanied by labored breathing it may be an indicator of a health issue.
For most cases, a budgie hunched over isn’t anything to worry about.
A lot of budgies will simply rest in this position out of preference. Even more so, if it is a female budgie and she is pregnant or “egg heavy” as the term goes.
It’s recommended to look out for concerning signs such as:
- Labored Breathing
- Refusing to Rest on a Perch
- Swollen Belly
- Trembling
If you start noticing these signs with a budgie hunched over then it’s time to visit an avian vet as soon as possible!
A lot of pet owners worry about their budgies when it may be a natural part of their behavior. However, it’s always best to err on the side of caution with matters like these.
Here is a deeper look into what you should do with a budgie hunched over and how to make them feel comfortable.
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Last update on 2023-09-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tips on Helping a Budgie Hunched Over
Tip #1: Change The Perch
With a budgie hunched over, you are going to need to change the perch.
In some cases, it may have to do with having multiple budgies in the same cage. If the budgie is tilting to one side all the time or hunched over, this may be a sign of not having enough space in the birdcage!
As a result, you have to create space and make it more comfortable for the budgie that’s hunched over.
A good solution is to buy a brand-new perch for your budgie and install it in a separate part of the cage. This is a major plus if you are dealing with a small-sized cage while still having multiple budgies.
What if you don’t have multiple budgies and this is still happening?
In that case, you should look to replace the current perch and see what happens. Sometimes, the perch isn’t good and it can cause the budgie to hunch over as a way to stabilize itself.
This is a common concern and it’s something budgie owners don’t think about.

Tip #2: Keep the Water Fresh
If you have a budgie hunched over, it’s best to look at what they are drinking and/or eating throughout the day.
You can look to mix things up.
However, the first thing you are going to want to do is to add a bit of water to their bowl. This means changing the water frequently and keeping it as fresh as possible.
Why does this work?
The idea is to make sure the bird is comfortable and doesn’t start behaving oddly such as hunching over out of dehydration.
To the surprise of many bird owners, this is a problem that can pop up.
When a budgie isn’t getting enough calories and/or water, they do behave oddly. This can include things such as hunching over out of discomfort!
Tip #3: Look for Additional Symptoms
Are there additional symptoms that are becoming obvious during the day?
For example, is the budgie always leaning forward while breathing heavily? What about not wanting to sit on the perch at all?
In that case, you have a serious problem on your hands and it is not just the case of a budgie hunched over to rest.
Instead, you might have a budgie that has an internal issue it’s dealing with.
Your goal is to make sure the budgie is safe.

Tip #4: Speak to an Avian Vet
An avian vet is someone that can assist with what you are doing and how things are being done. There is nothing worse than being in a spot where you don’t know what’s going on with the vet.
Instead, you want to focus on choosing a quality avian vet that will be comfortable with your needs.
This is a must.
If you don’t speak to an avian vet, you are going to be left in a tough spot.
The problem may persist and the health of your budgie could become a serious threat.
Be smart and speak to an avian vet if things spiral out of control.
Final Thoughts
With a budgie hunched over, you are going to have many things to consider.
Of course, you don’t want to overreact, and rightly so. No one wants to foot the bill for an avian vet appointment when there is nothing to worry about.
However, you should keep a vigilant eye when something like this happens. It’s not an issue to ignore and hope for the best!
This means a budgie hunched over is fine, but it’s also important to think about whether or not the budgie is healthy.
Read More About Budgies:
- Why Do Some Budgies Hang Onto The Cage?
- Should You Place A Budgie Outside?
- Can 4+ Budgies Live In A Cage Together?
- Are Tomatoes Safe For Budgies?
- Advice For Making Budgie Talk More
- Can Budgies Be Kept Warm?
- Do Budgies Always Lay Eggs On The Base Of Cage?
- Can A Budgie’s Leg Be Fixed?
- Why Do Budgies Sometimes Pass Away Quickly?
- Why Is Budgie’s Grip Weak?