Is my cockatiel sick, or is this normal behavior?

afrusse2

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Apr 7, 2021
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[ame="https://youtu.be/9VTTI0YKixM"]https://youtu.be/9VTTI0YKixM[/ame]

My cockatiel has just started gagging (the best way I can describe it) today and I am not sure if this is normal or a cause for concern. He has cleared his throat by opening his mouth wide and “yawning” in the past, but this gagging is new. He has done it quite a few times today, normally after he goes back to his bowl and eats. Nothing has come out until when he did it about 5 times ago, but it was pellet in solid form but a little wet.His appetite is normal, he doesn’t seem to have any issue breathing, and he has been normally active today. Is this just him regurgitating, or is this a sign of some sort of infection? I am a first-time bird owner so I am kind of freaking out. I have a video but could not figure out how to post it :/. Theo is 4 months old. :grey:

I am not sure if this pellet came out if his mouth (not swallowed) or not because it was solid and only barely wet?
 
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LaManuka

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Hello afrusse2 and Theo, welcome to the Forums, but I'm sorry it is under these worrying circumstances.

If you have a video you'd like to share, the best way to do so is upload to a platform such as YouTube or Imgur, then you can link it from there.

In terms of the "yawning" that you describe, it could be Theo adjusting his crop which is a normal part of the digestive process. However crop adjustment does not generally involve regurgitating anything so if you are concerned about that aspect, it may be a good time for a check up with an avian specialist vet, which is usually a good idea for a new bird anyway in order to get a baseline on health. I'm not sure exactly where you are in the world but the following link may help you to find one if you don't already know of one.......

https://www.aav.org/

Also, we love pictures here!

http://www.parrotforums.com/technical-support/6287-how-post-pictures.html

Welcome again to the two of you and thanks for reaching out for help with Theo!
 

SailBoat

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Visiting an Avian Medical Professional is always a good ideal.

It is possible that what you are feeding is either not breaking down as part of normal crushing action of the beak, or it is reforming /sticking together in the crop and your Parrot is dislodging out of the crop. It is not uncommon for young Parrots to eat too much or too fast and have to dislodge an over-filled crop.

Easy to say when far away. Hence, why a knowledgeable Avian Professional is so very important.
 

Laurasea

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Its hard to tell. Sometimes a burd will regurgitation to you as a " love" token. It sorta looks like that.

But when a bird vomits they fling their head side to side and it sorta looks like that to.

Its a good idea to have digital kitchen scale and weigh your bird regularly. Daily when you think something is up. 3% weight-loss make sn appointment to get checked out, 5% or more you have a sick burd get to the vet as soon as you can. Take grams lost ÷ by normal weight x 100 = % lost. You don't have to have weight-loss to have an issue.

Some burd body language sbd behavior article
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/bird-behavior/
 
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texsize

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What bothers me about the video is the way he shakes and flufs his feathers.

It could very well be the pellets are a problem for him.

Going to the vet is best.
 

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