African Grey Parrot

[susanxx]

today my African grey has been displaying strange behaviour. He is opening his beak, shaking his head and thrusting his head and neck forward whilst lifting his shoulders up. It is almost reminiscent of the regurgitating behaviour but his behaviour is more distressed than one of feeding its mate. Any ideas please?

[gsr600]

has he been chewing something unusual & maybe its stuck in his throat, or preening his feathers.

[jim360]

Yes, it reminds me of my hens whenever something is stuck in their throat. Keep an eye on it, usually they'll be able to deal with it themselves.

[susanxx]

He has been preening his feathers and he has started shredding them to tiny pieces, but, of course some of the quills are rather sharp and spiky so I was actually wondering if he has swallowed a bit of this chew quill?

[wildwood]

It would certainly be advisable to pay a visit to the Vet asap. Also see if the Vet will give the bird a cortisone injection and further advice to stop the self-mutilation.

[divegirl]

Hi, have you posted this anywhere else? I've seen the exact same question posted in the last two days on another forum.

Anyway, parrots generally only show signs of being ill when they are really ill :0/ If in any doubt she needs to take him to an avian vet to be looked at.

Hope he's ok.

Lisa x