What Does It Mean When Your Parakeets Constantly Stretch Their Wings?

When you see a human stretching his limbs, you might assume he's about to go for a jog or he just spent a few hours cooped up in a compact car. Parakeets frequently stretch their wings, too, but not always for the same reasons as people. Wing stretching often is a sign of a bird in joyous spirits.

  1. Merry Feelings and Glowing Health

    • If your parakeet stretches his wings out a lot, it could mean he's always in a merry mood -- good for him and good for you. If you notice your parakeet stretching his limbs and wings simultaneously, he might be expressing feelings of vigor and energy. Parakeets do this by stretching out on one side of their physiques and then immediately moving to the other side. They sometimes even show their joy by stretching their wings upward.

    Cooling Down

    • Parakeets -- and parrots in general -- often stretch by simply raising their wings into the air. If you see your parakeet doing this frequently, he could be stretching to move his muscles a bit and minimize strain, similar to what you do. They sometimes do this when they feel hot, too, as a cooling method. If your parakeet does this a lot in warm or hot weather, it might be your cue to do something about the temperature in his living environment. Heatstroke is a serious hazard to birds, so always carefully monitor temperature and don't ever allow it to get to an unsafe point.

    Relaxing

    • Stretching feels great to people, and this also applies to parakeets. If your parakeet is seemingly constantly stretching his wings, the reasoning could be something as simple as that it feels pleasant and soothing, nothing more and nothing less.

    Sickness

    • If you observe your parakeet doing anything out of the ordinary on a frequent basis, take him to an avian veterinarian immediately, as it could be a sign of serious illness, possibly due to chilling. Apart from inordinate stretching behaviors, be attentive to other potential indications of any sickness in birds, including irregular breathing, puffy plumage, reduced appetite, excessive yawning and lack of interaction or reaction to the human beings around. Seek immediate vet care for your precious pet if you pick up on any of these symptoms.