Budgie's upper chest looks protruded...

[haylo]

Photo doesn't really do it justice, but Benji here looks a little odd.

His last vet appt. was only 6 months ago, not even. His upper chest is just protruding slightly. It's bed time, and even so I can't call his vet until the morning I'm just kind of worried for him. I thought he looked a little odd yesterday but didn't notice anything in particular. We've been working on pellets but I've started giving him more seed again because he just won't take to it. He's a normal weight again (was underweight yesterday) now is 44 grams.
The part of his chest that protruding doesn't feel super hard to the touch and I tried to move his feathers and he looked normal enough (just red-pinkish skin) - he doesn't seem uncomfortable either, but I'm just concerened. I should be able to shcedule an appointment tomorrow (and I'll probably take Beaker too, since he needs a regular check-up) But if it's more than a month out, I might see about taking a trip to a local 24/7 emergency vet that takes birds.

Just wanted to know if anyone has experienced something similar/guesses on why his upper chest might be protruding slightly? I'll have to listen closer but I think he's been talking normally, and his behavior is normal. I read possibly his air sac has trapped air or it could be some kind of issue in his crop. Doesn't seem to be a foreign "lump" as I couldn't feel/see anything like that. Could he have just overeaten since he had his full, normal access to seed today? (In prior days I mixed pellets/seeds.)

TIA for any answers. I am going to get an appt. with my vet, just looking for some additional perspectives if possible.


edit: here are some photos of Benji normally. I don't really have any at that same angle that are recent, but some are close -

 

[DonnaBudgie]

He looks more puffed up than chest protruding to me. Either way he needs to be examined by an avian vet to know for sure. Puffed up could mean sick and a chest bulge could mean sick. His weight isn't a great indicator because a sick budgie can be too heavy, too thin, or normal weight. Overeating in an adult wouldn't cause a chest bulge because the oversized crop of baby birds shrinks in adulthood. He couldnt eat enough to cause a visible crop bulge.

 

[haylo]

He looks more puffed up than chest protruding to me. Either way he needs to be examined by an avian vet to know for sure. Puffed up could mean sick and a chest bulge could mean sick. His weight isn't a great indicator because a sick budgie can be too heavy, too thin, or normal weight. Overeating in an adult wouldn't cause a chest bulge because the oversized crop of baby birds shrinks in adulthood. He couldnt eat enough to cause a visible crop bulge.

Thank you. I didn't know that about the crop, it makes sense though.
I'm going to see how soon I can get him in just to be checked out either way, since in general he just seems too off for comfort. Appreciate the information!