Parakeet May Be Sick, but not sure.?

Question

Ok I have three parakeets. Two females and a male. I am worried about the male. They are all around 5 years old. Tonight I noticed that he is breathing slightly heavy, but his mouth is not open. His breathing looks labored because it is kinda fast, and his entire body is puffing out in and out, in and out etc. His wings also are moving very slightly with his breathing. I don't think he's flapping them bc none of his wing feathers are stretched out like if he was flapping(wings not clipped, my babies can fly). They just look I guess if they are moving with his breathing. Do you think he is sick or did I just catch him doing something strange?

***My birds are in the kitchen. I know it is not the optimum place but hear me out.

1. We do not use Teflon cookware, or nonstick anything. Once we heard about how toxic it is for birds, then obviously it is for us as well. We also dont use our oven other than thanksgiving, and we move them elsewhere if we have to clean the oven.

Answer 1

Are his FEATHERS fluffed out? Does he still perch?  If he no longer perches and goes to the bottom of the cage, he's definitely sick. But from your description, it sounds like a temperature problem.  I have a budgie - he's an English Budgie and quite large.  He's so big, he cannot fly although he is fully feathered. His tail and wings move every time he breathes too and he often looks to me as if his breathing is labored.  I've had him now for a little over 2 yrs and he's always been like this.  He's maybe a bit overweight but I'd have to isolate him from all the others to put him on a diet and I think that would be more stressful for him than just leaving him be.  So, maybe your little guy is a little heavy?  Also check the temperature of where they are in your kitchen allowing for all hot air to rise and make it hotter the higher up it is.  If his beak was open, chances are his wings would be too.  This indicates the bird is overheated but you say his beak isn't open, are you sure of this, I mean do you know his beak is closed all the time?  Sorry to say as you seem to be fixed on keeping them in the kitchen, but  I would move those birds to whatever room you have where they could get fresh air or be in an air conditioned environment.  The kitchen is a really bad place for them - as you know - you must boil water or cook something now and then.  Remember, hot air rises - so please move them THEN observe how they are.  You could also mist them AFTER you move them - all birds need a bath now and then.