Consult a Veterinarian

If you’re unable to get to a vet immediately, a few supportive-care steps may help your bird in the meantime. Keeping your bird warm—around 80 to 85 degrees—is crucial. The less energy your bird has to spend staying warm, the more energy it can use to recover.

You also need to keep food going into the bird. For small birds, solid foods such as pelleted diets, seed, peanut butter, and spray millet can work well. Skip fruits and vegetables for now, as they’re primarily water and fiber. Your bird needs what my mom would call “stick to the ribs” food—something that provides real energy.

Small birds, including canaries, parakeets, and finches, can fool you into thinking they’re eating when they’re actually spending lots of time at the food bowl searching for a favorite item without consuming enough. Keep food going into the bird. Food provides energy, and that energy helps your bird stay warm.