Stargazing

Stargazing is frequently confused with Twirling if one has never seen true Twirling symptoms, because both problems involve an unusual head twist. However, stargazing is usually a response to a change in environment and does not usually have a physical cause. Stargazing will either correct itself with time or can be corrected with a change in environment.

Causes

I usually see stargazing when moving a bird from one cage to another of a different size. It most frequently occurs when moving a bird to a smaller cage (I see birds in show cages show signs of stargazing at shows occasionally). However, I have also seen it happen when moving a bird to a larger cage (lengthwise), with a shorter height.

Symptoms

Stargazing symptoms include a throwing the head back back until the bird is looking above its head or even behind itself. I have seen birds with stargazing take off into flight from this position - looking like they are doing a backflip in flight. The bird seems to be trying to get his bearings - unsure of where the cage limits are.

Unlike Twirling, the bird will usually have no trouble perching and the head will not hang forward or to either side. There is no circling motion on the cage floor, either.

Treatment

Because stargazing is not a physical problem (in my opinion), no medication is necessary. Sometimes, the problem will resolve itself. If not, moving the bird to a larger, or taller, cage will sometimes help. I have seen Gouldian finches stargaze, with the condition resolving with time. I have also had imported orange-cheeked waxbills stargaze (two of the 25 imported birds showed this behavior when in the quarantine cage). In one bird, the symptoms lessened when I moved that bird to a cage at the top of the stack. Moving the birds into aviaries resolved the symptoms quickly.