Even the best bird owners can’t keep their beaky companions singing all of the time, so don’t despair - just make yourself aware of these indicators to look out for and hopefully you’ll be able to rectify whatever has your Ringneck down in the dumps:
Moulting or unkempt feathers
With many parrots, feather picking is a clear indicator that the bird in question is having a difficult time for some reason or another, whether that be an irritating sound in the vicinity that is causing them distress or simply because they are bored. That being said, if you notice your Ringneck is constantly picking at their feathers, or the picking continues when the stressful stimulus has stopped, then a trip to the vet could be worthwhile to check there’s nothing more sinister going on.
Lack of appetite
Just like us humans, when they’re stressed or otherwise feeling under the weather, it’s common for birds to only pick at their food during mealtimes, or even stop eating altogether in worst case scenarios. Keep an eye out for any weight loss, as this is a sign that something is seriously wrong and it is time for medical intervention. If you’ve recently changed their food, though, it may well be that they just don’t like this new kind, or the change from long-term routine has distressed them.
Sudden change in temperament
If your Ringneck was once a happy go lucky, carefree bird and has all of a sudden become aggressive or withdrawn, it’s possible something in their environment is causing them distress, they’re not getting enough attention, or they are being neglected by someone else in your house. If they usually like being handled or don’t particularly mind it but have suddenly started freaking out when touched, it’s possible they have managed to injure themselves without you noticing, and could be worth a trip to the vets.
Lack of energy and reservedness
When you notice your bird is listless and seems to be spending a lot of time at the bottom of their cage, it’s possible that this Ringneck has got the blues. It’s up to you to work out what’s bringing them down in particular, as it could be a number of things - that’s where the next section comes in handy!