Why is my new parakeet making hissing, breathing, or squeaking sounds?

This is a very serious problem in a bird and indicates illness. What you are describing sounds most like an upper repiratory infection or illness. Your bird needs to see a vet right away. Birds are good at hiding illness and are often sicker then you think. Using a small cage or small aquarium (lined in paper towel and have a screen lid) with a heating pad on low underneath, can help your bird out until you get to a vet.

I would recommend taking your bird to the vet as soon as you are able. Respiratory disease can be very serious, especially in small birds. If you have the capability to nebulize at home it could be helpful until you can get her seen. You veterinarian may recommend performing X-rays to help determine what is going on. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck!

Based on the condition of the environment that you are describing and the sneezing and nasal discharge your bird is having, I would be concerned about an upper respiratory tract infection. Your bird will likely need antibiotics and possibly a nebulizer to help open up his airways. I hope this helps. Best of luck with your new bird. Thanks for sing Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thanks for reaching out about Indigo. This sounds like it could be a respiratory infection. Providing supplemental heat in the 80-85 F range can improve the immune system but a veterinary visit is recommended for diagnostic/treatment plans. Hopefully is bacterial and antibiotics will resolve the issue. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Frost. Increased respiratory rate and sneezing is often a clinical sign of a respiratory problem. Causes of this can include primary infections (bacterial, fungal, viral), heart disease, abdominal organ enlargement (liver, spleen), toxic exposure (cooking with teflon, smoke, other aerosols), and more. A veterinary visit for assessment and to provide a diagnostic/treatment plan is required to determine a cause and therefore treat effectively. Good luck.

I am sorry that your Budgie is ill. The squeaking noises can be a sign or a respiratory infection, mouth infection or even a seed in the windpipe. This is something that needs to be seen by the vet right away! I would keep the bird quiet and unstressed until they see a vet- minimize handling.

Thanks for your question about Blue, and thanks for the pictures. She is a beautiful bird. From your description, and from the photos, I would be concerned that Blue isn't feeling well. She looks to be thin in the photos - the way we look at body condition in a bird is by the breast, and I can see that her keel bone appears to be more prominent in the photos. This, along with the abnormal vocalizations that you are hearing, may indicate that she is sick. I would ensure that her environment is free of stress due to her having her chicks, as an increase in stress can lead to illness. If she is stressed, she may also not eat as much food as she needs as well. I would recommend that she is evaluated by a veterinarian, if possible - depending on what they find on examination, they may recommend diagnostic testing such as radiographs or systemic blood work. They can also offer potential treatment options for her as well. To decrease stress at home, please ensure that she is in a quiet and warm place with no drafts, loud noises, or unfamiliar objects/people/animals. Ensure she has places to hide and plenty of fresh food and water within easy reach as well. I hope that gives you a place to start, and that Blue feels better soon!