Coughing/sneezing/choking sounds

Hello Folks.
My wife and I are new here, just acquired a U2 about three months ago, a rehomed fella. He is about 5 years old and DNA'd male. From the previous research I did here about a small problem, I understand DNA isn't 100% conclusive. Matters not to us unless it makes a difference in health habits.

Last night our too came over to us walking across the floor as he normally does, but, he started making a funny noise we hadn't heard before. Like the title points out, I can best describe it as a cough/sneeze/choke sound. Nothing horribly violent, it just made us worried.

The noises stopped for a minute or two, then as he climbed up on my wife, it started again. He had two episodes lasting about a minute each.

My wife collected him and put him back on his cage on the outside where he normally sits. He then had one more episode.

We panicked, being late and only having an avian doctors phone number that we haven't seen yet, but are familiar with him through other bird owners.

The doctor said it didn't sound too serious, but we should monitor it closely and he gave us the names of after hours emergency centers just in case.

After hanging up we noticed the noises stopped and he looked and sounded normal.

I just wanted to share with other owners to see if anyone had seen this behavior before.

Sorry the post is so long, I can be a bit long-winded.

Thanks folks.

Did the vet hear the actual noise? It is very concerning to me that a vet would think any sign of illness should just be monitored by brand new birds owners. I highly suggest finding a different vet and at the very least making sure they hear the noise over the phone before they dismiss he issue. I have had a bird die on the table after I rushed him to the vet on a SUSPICION that there might be a problem. Birds are too good at looking healthy for us to mess around.

Welcome to the forums, Nancy & Adam!

If your new U2 was DNA'ed, then those results should be accurate. "Visual" sexing isn't always accurate, but DNA (done through blood) should definitely be conclusive.

Do you have any of his history? You said you've had him 3 months, so I'm guessing you've never heard him make that particular 'noise' before, correct? Did he in any way seem distressed, gasping for air?

Just to rule out any underlying health issues, I'd definitely have him checked out, you know, for your own peace of mind.


Dani (SilverSage), Nancy & Adam aren't 'new' bird owners.

Parrots do show signs of illness before they become seriously ill, so only observation can answer what is normal and what is not.

The vast majority of bird diseases are not self limiting like us with colds/flu so will not get better without proper medical treatment.

Re an decent AV try Association of Avian Veterinarians.

Does it sound like a mimic or something else?

Keep an eye on it. My Sulfur crested too coughs when he want my attention and his whining isn't getting him the results that he wonts. Once he sees that I'm watching him...the coughing stops.

Dopey said:

Keep an eye on it. My Sulfur crested too coughs when he want my attention and his whining isn't getting him the results that he wonts. Once he sees that I'm watching him...the coughing stops.

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Hey that's weird cos mine does it too, yeh the same for attention I think and sneezes.

plumsmum2005 said:

Dopey said:

Keep an eye on it. My Sulfur crested too coughs when he want my attention and his whining isn't getting him the results that he wonts. Once he sees that I'm watching him...the coughing stops.

Click to expand...

Hey that's weird cos mine does it too, yeh the same for attention I think and sneezes.

Click to expand...

It must be a too thing. I will have to watch my other toos to see if they do things similar. Although, they don't want as much attention as Charlie.

Thank you for your reply. The vet did not hear the sound. After we hung up Marshmellow stopped. Today he seems to be ok he has not made the sound.

I'll elaborate on this Silver, Jersey, Plum, and Dopey.

Thank you again. Marshmellow seems to be fine, yet, Nancy and I are monitoring him for changes. He looks to be his normal self at the moment.

Thanks for the responses, we feel welcome to the forums and the community. We look forward to helping where we can, and giving moral support where possible as well.

Sometimes it's hard to differentiate between mimic and true symptom. It can be very stressful!!!

I was going to suggest he might have been making a sound he'd heard, rather than actually coughing. Has either of you had a cold recently? My Quaker can mimic my sneeze perfectly and does so at random times, and my U2 makes a sound very much like he's choking when he's really just cuddling and doing cockatoo grunting and cooing. The first time he did it, I panicked, too, and he looked at me like I'd lost my mind. Not that you should discount what may be an actual symptom, mind you, but if he doesn't seem to be in physical distress at all, that's the possible answer.