Can A Budgie Break Its Tail? 8 Common Causes

It is safe to say that budgies are one of the most desired and adored breeds of birds. But those who aspire to own them often wonder can a budgie break its tail? 

To help you get a deeper insight into this issue, here we will go over the many reasons why a budgie can break its tail or tail feathers, what to do when such an accident happens and how to prevent such a situation from arising. 

Can Budgies Break Their Tail?

The budgie, also known as the parakeet, is a small member of the parrot family. These beautiful creatures are known for their wide range of vocalizations and their ability to mimic human speech. 

Budgies are very active birds, and they love to fly and play. 

In the wild, they can often be seen swooping down from great heights in search of food or chasing other birds in aerial dogfights. 

Given their small size and delicate bones, it’s no wonder that many people worry about whether or not budgies can break their tails.

The good news is that while a budgie can break its tail, it is not nearly as common as you might think. 

In order for a budgie to break its tail, the force of the impact must be great enough to fracture the bones in the bird’s tail. 

The budgie’s tail consists of 3 tiny bones – the uppermost bone is the pygostyle, followed by the 2nd and 3rd vertebrae. Damage to either of these bones can result in a broken tail. 

How Can A Budgie Break Its Tail? 

Although rare, budgies can break their tails, and here are a few reasons why. 

1. Trauma

The most common cause of a broken tail in budgies is trauma.

This can occur if the bird hits something hard, such as a windowpane or wall. It can also happen if the bird is dropped or falls from a great height or had an encounter with another bird or predator.

2. Fracture

A fracture is another common cause of a broken tail in budgies. 

This can occur if the bird lands wrong when jumping or flying, resulting in a break in one of the bones in the tail. 

3. Dislocation

A dislocation is another possible cause of a broken tail in budgies. This occurs when the bones in the tail are forced out of alignment, which can happen if the bird is dropped or falls from a great height. 

4. Sprain

A sprain is another possible cause of a broken tail in budgies. This occurs when the ligaments and tendons in the tail are stretched or torn, which can happen if the bird is dropped or falls from a great height. 

5. Tumor

A tumor is a rare but possible cause of a broken tail in budgies. This can occur if the tumor presses on the bones in the tail, causing them to break. 

6. Infection

An infection is another rare but possible cause of a broken tail in budgies. This can occur if the infection spreads to the bones in the tail, causing them to break. 

7. Arthritis

Arthritis is another rare but possible cause of a broken tail in budgies. This can occur if arthritis affects the bones in the tail, causing them to break. 

8. Cancer

Cancer is another rare but possible cause of a broken tail in budgies. This can occur if cancer spreads to the bones in the tail, causing them to break. 

What Are The Signs Of A Broken Tail In Budgies? 

Several signs may indicate that a budgie has broken its tail, including: 

1. Loss of balance

If a budgie has broken its tail, it may lose its balance and fall over when trying to perch. 

2. Difficulty flying

If a budgie has broken its tail, it may have difficulty flying and landing. 

3. Pain

If a budgie has broken its tail, it may show signs of pain, such as crying out or flinching when the area is touched. 

4. Swelling

If a budgie has broken its tail, there may be swelling in the area where the break occurred. 

5. Bruising

If a budgie has broken its tail, there may be bruising in the area where the break occurred. 

6. Lameness

If a budgie has broken its tail, it may walk with a limp or be unable to walk at all. 

7. Loss of appetite

If a budgie has broken its tail, it may lose its appetite and stop eating. 

8. Weight loss

If a budgie has broken its tail, it may lose weight due to the loss of appetite. 

What to Do If a Budgie Has Broken Its Tail? 

If you suspect that your budgie has broken its tail, it is important to take it to the vet as soon as possible.

The vet will be able to confirm whether or not the budgie has actually broken its tail and determine the best course of treatment.

In some cases, the vet may recommend surgery to fix the break or treat the wound.

In other cases, the budgie may need to be watched for a period of time to make sure that the break heals properly. 

Here’s what you can do to look after your budgie with a broken tail: 

1. Keep the budgie warm

It is important to keep a budgie with a broken tail warm. This can be done by placing a heat lamp over the cage or by covering the cage with a blanket. 

2. Prevent the budgie from flying

It is also important to prevent the budgie from flying, as this could cause further injury to the tail. The best way to do this is to clip the budgie’s wings. 

3. Give the budgie pain relief

If the vet has prescribed pain relief, it is important to give it to the budgie as directed. This will help to ease any pain that the budgie may be in. 

4. Keep an eye on the healing process

Once the vet has seen the budgie and is home again, it is important to keep an eye on the healing process. This means checking the tail regularly for any signs of infection or further injury. If bleeding continues or gets worse, contact your vet.

5. Bring the budgie back to the vet

If you are at all concerned about the healing process, it is important to bring the budgie back to the vet for a check-up. 

How to Prevent A Budgie From Breaking Its Tail? 

There are several things that you can do to prevent your budgie from breaking its tail, including: 

1. Providing a safe environment

Make sure that your budgie has a safe environment to live in, free from hazards that could cause it to break its tail. 

2. Supervising playtime

When your budgie is out of its cage, supervise it to make sure that it does not injure its tail. 

3. Handling gently

When handling your budgie, be gentle to avoid putting too much pressure on its tail. 

4. Checking for health problems

If your budgie is showing signs of health problems, such as arthritis or cancer, take it to the vet so that the problem can be treated. 

5. Keeping up with vet visits

Make sure to take your budgie to the vet for regular check-ups to detect and treat any health problems early. 

Key Takeaways

• Yes, budgies can break their tail due to blunt-force trauma, dislocation, fracture, cancer and other health issues. 
• Symptoms of a broken tail include loss of balance, difficulty flying, loss of appetite swelling and weight loss
• If you suspect that your budgie has broken its tail, it is important to take it to the vet as soon as possible. 
• The vet will be able to confirm whether or not the budgie has actually broken its tail and if so, determine the best course of treatment.