Weird Head Bobbing

[jonash]

Hello! I have 2 budgies, a male and female, and have only had them for a few days. As of today the female, Bo, does this weird head bobbing thing. This is the only way i can describe it, but its more than just nodding her head. She also opens her mouth and stretches her neck while she does it, and fluffs out her feathers. I read a few things about it that make me believe it may have something to do with digestion, but no one describes what their birdies are doing quite like what mine is doing. Anyone noticed anything similar? If i were to see a person doing the same thing, I would describe it almost as choking, and opening her mouth to regurgitate. but she only does it once or twice, and then wont do it again for a while, which leads me to believe she isn't really under any physical stress causing her to do this, but im still not sure.

Any ideas would be appreciated! thanks!

[Robin's Nest]

If it is a distinct head bobbing (up and down, up and down) behavior, it is most likely that your bird is simply regurgitating to the other (mating/bonding behaviors) even if no food is being brought up. Or sometimes food may be brought up and other times not. Both males and females will do this regurgitation bonding behavior, to another bird, sometimes a human or an inanimate object such as a toy or a mirror. You might see it accompanied with other bonding behaviors such as your birds preening one another. It might help to post a video of the behavior.

However, if you have any concerns, or see any other symptoms, or if you bird fluffs and remains fluffs or shows any other signs of not acting normally, it is always better to be safe than sorry and take a trip to the vet. Birds will and do instinctually hide illness.

[Xealot]

It sounds like your budgie could be adjusting its crop. This is where the seed is pre-digested before it goes to the stomach. Mine does exactly the same thing, although I've not really noticed if he puffs up at the same time. He will open his mouth and move his head, mostly up and down, does this a couple or a few times and stops. You're right it does look a bit like they're choking, but my boyfriend's mum is a budgie breeder so he has grown up around budgies and assures me that it is very common/normal.

I wouldn't be worried about this on its own but as Robin said, better safe than sorry. Keep an eye on him to make sure his behaviour and digestion/poop is normal.

[Robin's Nest]

I'm glad Georgie brought that up, since it is a possibility. When my birds adjust their crop, it is a rather quick motion, and a neck stretch, as opposed to several head bobs, but everyone adjusts their crop a little differently! ;) If it continues, worsens or concerns you, the trip to the vet would be to rule out a yeast infection in the mouth which can cause placque to the form in the back of their mouth, and the appearance of choking is because they are they are trying to get that placque/phlegm out of the back of their throat.

[deep_kart]

Amber my male budgie does the same, i used to get worried ...then thought it shud be kind of seed adjustment ....but weird none of my other two does tat!

[absolutangel]

Robin and Georgie have suggested the two things that came to my mind reading your post. The first time I saw Blue adjusting her crop I thought she was choking or something and was concerned too, then read about it on here.

It doesn't sound like a problem but keep an eye on her as suggested above just in case.

[SusanBudgies]

Assuming she doesn't choke at the same time, she's just yawning or getting some food unstuck (http://www.budgieplace.com/behavior.html). No worries. :)