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Birds--General/Parakeet Eating Problem

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Expert: - 12/8/2007


Question
I've got an adult male parakeet that seems fine except when he eats.  He'll grab a seed out of the dish then climb back onto his perch and act as though he's chewing on the bars.  Almost as though the seed is stuck.  He'll do this repeatly then hop back down, grab a seed and it starts all over again.  Other than this is he is his usual social, happy and noisy self.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi, Darlene,

I picked your question up from the question pool.

I don't know exactly what you mean by "act as though he's chewing on the bars."  Birds hull their seed then eat the soft inside.  Perhaps your bird does have a seed hull stuck in his mouth.  However, I don't understand why this would happen every time the bird eats.  Could your bird have some type of sore in its mouth and it has to eat this way?  You may need to consider taking your bird to a certified avian vet for an evaluation or at least look in the bird's mouth with a flashlight to see if you can see anything abnormal.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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