Nostrils and Seeds?

[lucyg]

Hi – Just last night I had Penny on a perch sitting with me by my desk but after about ½ hour, she started to head bob, then sneeze several times and some seeds ( 4-5) just popped out of her nostrils. Only happened once and there were no indications of stress or discomfort before or after.   They were not just seed shells but the whole seed.  She has no discharge and seems fine otherwise. 

I had mentioned this before on the forum and read that this can be a reason for removing a mirror, as birds may try to regurgitate food to their image.  She had exhibited the same type of demeanor in her cage awhile ago, so I did take way the mirror and saw improvement, but this is the 1st time I saw this behavior since and she was not in her cage.  Is this normal?

[Sarah]

Hey Lucy!

Well, it sounds to me like she was regurgitating food alright. She was probably trying to show affection to you, actually, in the absence of her mirror companion now. If if did in fact come out of her nostrils, it was probably because she could not give her offering into your mouth as she would in another bird, and she tried to stop it coming out of her mouth at all. Next time she starts violently head bobbing, you might offer her your hand to put her deposit in. It might sound kind of yucky, but she wont end up with seeds in her nose and it might even serve to strengthen your bond. If it helps, it is not actually vomit from their stomach or anything like that: it is just the seeds held in the pocket like crop. You do not have to do this if it is uncomfortable for you, but it might help her.

Everything sounds fine, she just seems to be trying to tell you she loves you. You should keep a close eye on any signs of illness for a few weeks after each time this happens.  I am quite convinced she is probably fine, but caution is never a bad thing for a bird owner. Not to mention that if this becomes a regular thing her nostrils might become irritated and more prone to infection.

[lucyg]

Wow that is not the response I expected and very!! good news.  She is still very shy but is slowly coming round.  Thanks for the great feeedback!!  I'll do the hand thing as you mentioned.  Not yucky to me at all.  I will keep an eye on any signs of illness as I know that birds can be delicate.

Another question...I understand that parakeets do not need gravel to digest food, but I had bought some before knowing this fact.  So just to not waste it I sprinkle some on her cage papers after cleaning; but today after the cleaning she was going through the cage bottom bars to eat it.   Why would she do that?

[Sarah]

That is a good question. Although they do not need it, and too much can be a bad thing, budgies will still consume small amounts of grit. There are two main theories advanced for this behavior, and I think they are in a degree both true. When people take over the counter stomach ache cures, whether it be that thick milk like liquid or chewable tablets like tums, they are almost entirely chalk. You wouldn't really think about eating a teacher's black board chalk as a good thing for your stomach, but it actually is. It reduces acidity and aids in faster digestion. When birds crush grit down and swallow it, it could be that they are just trying to settle their stomachs a bit. I do not give my birds grit, nor do they really need it, but that doesn't stop them from picking minuscule bits of sand and stone out of my carpets when they are out to play XD Also, parrots are known to receive trace nutriment from things like mud and grit that they could not receive elsewhere. It could be that the instinct to mash small amounts of grit into their food could stem from a need to absorb things it.

Either way, its not harming her to give her some in small amounts occasionally. It is a complete misnomer to say that they need it, however. There are many species of birds who require grit to help mash up the hard shells of the seed they eat whole- but budgies like all parrots husk their seed first.

 

[lucyg]

Thanks Sarah.  It sounds like a small amount on the cage floor is not harmful and she can take it as she feels necessary.  You are so helpful!