My budgie has started walking funny on one leg

[olly44]

Around 5 days ago I noticed he wasn’t walking properly on his left foot when on a flat surface. When he’s perched on my finger or sitting on his rope in my living room he seems perfectly happy and will fly around and plod about all over the place. I know he’s ready to have his nails clipped which I will do in the next few days but he uses his other foot properly and I feel it’s cause for concern. Only way I can think to describe it is he’s walking with his toes clenched shut and putting most of the weight on the bottom of his leg which today looked a little sore. I can upload a photo later today if this helps. I thought I’d turn to this forum before I can get him to the vets.( proving difficult at the moment with everything going on) Thanks in advance👍

[olly44]

Just to add he’s around 8 months old and I’ve had him for around 6 months and haven’t noticed anything like this before. Haven’t had this problem with his roommate either.. thanks again👍

[Hezz]

Really need a photo, or better still a video of how he is walking.

With proper natural branches for perches, of varying thicknesses and texture, you shouldn’t have to trim his claws at all. Normal wear and tear should keep them worn down. But once you have started to do so, often we find that you will need to continue to do so. Unless he has some underlying health issue, of course.

Are you able to set his toes in the correct position so that he is using the pads of his feet when he walks? Sometimes a little remedial physio can help - he may have had a muscle spasm that has caused the toes to curl up. Massage his foot to warm it up, and see if you can move it to the correct position, but be gentle and don’t try to force anything.