I'm starting to think about Beck. He really is starting to act old. Whenever he jumps on a perch a little higher he can't make it anymore. He misses a lot and just ends up hanging for a minute or so, unable to pull himself up and either barely makes it and climbs on or just falls off.

Is he getting old or does this sound like a different issue?

I hate thinking about my birds getting old. I think my George is getting old. He barely flies. I'm scared that I'm going to lose him.

How old is Beck?

6

Yes he probably is getting old...
all you can do is make his cage
easier for him to get around...
Keep him out of drafts, they are worse
than anything for birds...

I thought American budgies lived about 10 years (English living aroung 7-8 yrs) and Beck is an American budgie, right? If so, he's just middle aged and maybe those things you're describing are due to him getting older but as long as he generally seems to be having more fun than not, if it were me I wouldn't think much more about it because unless he was sick, there isn't much to do about it.

I have an old cat that may be getting close to the point where he's having more bad days than good (in which case, if that goes on for a few weeks, I'll have to have him put to sleep) but he's not there yet, so I do a quick mental assessment of him every day to see where I think he falls on that scale (fun/not fun) and then try to put it out of my mind for the rest of the day. No point on dwelling on him leaving us just yet when he's still here right now and occasionally still acting like a total goof.

American budgies live 5-10 years yes, that's why I was asking. He just turned 6, 9 days ago.

No, I can tell he isn't playing, he is really struggling there to move himself around. On the contrary, Poppy enjoys playing with him in that state. When poor Speck is hanging on, Poppy will lick his feet or pull his tail and fan it out. I feel bad for Beck, but it is kind of funny. Naughty Poppy.

I'd suggest getting him checked out by a vet if you can. That will give you a better idea of what's going on, and if it's something treatable you'll be able to do something about it. Is it possible that he's having a little flareup of the AGY so his energy level is down?

No, I don't think so. His poop is completely normal, eating just the same and just as much, drinking, eating cuttlebone, preening and sleeping with Poppy and happily chatting and dancing.

But his coordination is shot for the past couple of days.

It sounds like something has changed in the last couple days then. It would be good to see a vet if you can.