Birds--General/Throwing up?

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Expert: - 1/9/2007


Question
my parakeet Bloo, is the best pet ever! She is very attached to me, and follows me wherever I go. One night when I was holding her, her head started bobbing like she was going to throw up, and she kept opening her mouth. Finally, some seeds fell out of her mouth. I am so scared that she's sick or something. Do bird throw up? Or is that just natural?

Answer
Hi, Hannah.  Thanks for posting!

Yes, birds do throw up.  However, they can "throw up" or "regurgitate" for different reasons and you need to understand the difference in order to know how to handle.

When a bird is bonded to it's human owner, some birds show their affection/love for their human by regurgitating to their human, similar to how they would regurgitate to their mate.

When a bird throws up undigested seed, this can mean a bird has a health issue.

Is your bird regurgitating as in showing affection or is your bird throwing up undigested seed?  You need to determine which this is by looking very closely at what the bird is throwing up and by observing your bird's behavior.  From your post, I'd say your bird is showing affection, but you are there and I'm here and I can't observe all that's going on with your bird.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

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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