Why is my baby budgie inactive with air bubbles around its neck?

It's possible there is an injury, some sort of congenital defect, or other issue going on. Since the baby wants to hide, can't keep his head up and isn't really acting normal, it would be best to bring him to your local vet for a full exam. They can check for neurologic or muscular issues, and may recommend additional testing as needed to rule out any other potential problems. Keeping the baby comfortable, eating and drinking, and away from areas where it can become injured can help until you can get to your vet.

Thanks for reaching out about Eggbert and including a photo. These baby parrots need to be fed every 3-4 hours, almost as soon as the crop empties. Providing heat and humidity support are very important. Concerns are over some underlying disease (bacterial, viral, developmental) and that is why hen kicked it out of the nest. A veterinary visit might be needed to assess and determine if antibiotics might be needed. Good luck.

He does look a bit puffy, but it's hard to tell just from a few photos. Birds with full crops can sometimes have a "balloon" like appearance on their chest below their neck, that will gradually decrease as they digest food, and then fill up again as they eat, but it's usually not very visible in adult birds. However, as with any new pet, a general wellness exam with your vet is best to establish care, check for any issues, and treat them if needed. If Naoko seems in distress or ill at all, seeking care sooner is a good idea.

You should have the chicks or parents examined by your veterinarian or an experienced avian vet. A culture may identify bacteria. If you are hand feeding, use fresh food for each clutch. Clean and sanitize all equipment between feedings or clutches. Clean and sanitize all cages, bowls, toys nest boxes and perches. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Change cage paper daily. Make sure the chicks are kept warm and are emptying their crops regularly. Sour crop, or crop stasis, can result in a hard crop full of spoiled food and bacteria or fungi. This can kill young chicks if left untreated.

It is common for young birds to lose their feeding response as they become weak, and this may be what is happening with Toni. It is more energy taxing to move the neck/head than it is to chirp. The line that you are seeing is part of the organs in the belly. If you look closely, you can see a number of organs. This is because their skin is so thin that you can see through it. I would recommend having Toni evaluated by a veterinarian. They can perform an examination on Toni to ensure there are no obvious abnormalities, and may provide some supportive care for him. Additionally, I am not sure what you are formula you are feeding, how much, and how often - these are all important items as we need to make sure Toni is getting enough calories to grow and thrive. Your veterinarian can help to guide you with these items based on the cockatiel's weight. The crop is small in the pictures that you sent, but I am not sure how long ago you had fed before taking the picture so this may be appropriate. Please ensure that Toni is being kept warm as well - ideally he would have an area that is 90-100F. Monitor the area with a digital thermometer to ensure it is not getting too hot or too cold. Without proper temperatures, Toni won't be able to digest his food well. I hope this gives you a place to start, and good luck!

If he's like that even while eating, drinking, or being active (not sleeping) and never has his head in a normal position, it wouldn't hurt to have him examined by your vet. It's possible there could be an underlying issue such as a nutritional problem or even a neuromuscular issue that would benefit from being checked out.

It's possible that the bread is caught in the crop or isn't breaking down and digesting. Birds should also not be given dairy products as it can lead to diarrhea and dehydration. It is best to stick with a formulated baby bird food until your bird is old enough to begin adding in solids (usually a balanced adult diet) to their meals. If the crop remains swollen or Marcos appears listless, doesn't want to eat, or in pain it is best to seek veterinary care immediately.