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Conference 7.286::pet_birds

Title:Captive Breeding for Conservation--and FUN!
Notice:INTROS 6.X / FOR SALE 13.X / Buying a Bird 900.*
Moderator:VIDEO::PULSIFER
Created:Mon Oct 10 1988
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:942
Total number of notes:6016

328.0. "Is this normal?" by SALSA::DEFRANCO () Tue Mar 13 1990 15:23

    Something very strange happened today.  Rosie "threw up", pardon the
    expression, all over my husbands shoulder.  Thank goodness he loves
    her!  He said it was all tiny millet seeds.  She seems fine and is
    going about her business as usual.  She tends to eat very fast in the
    morning so i was wondering if maybe she just ate to much to quickly and
    it got stuck in her crop.
    
    Does this sound like a problem?  
    
    I have pellets for her which she doesn't eat as quickly so I think that
    I'll give her pellets only and just a few seeds once in a while as a
    treat.
    
    
    Jeanne
    
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328.1NOT SO STRANGEVERSA::YUNGTue Mar 13 1990 17:4217
    Hi Jeanne,
    	The problem you have described might not be a real problem.
    Some birds who have bonded strongly to an individual will give them
    a sign of affection, like the one you described.  From what I have
    heard and read this is not uncommon.  If you are stll concerned
    the best thing to do is get Rosie to a good avian vet for a check
    up.  
    	If you read Bird Talk or any bird fancier publication you will
    find several articles that have bird owners who are very excited
    that their pet has regurgitated (spelling?) on them.  It is a clear
    sign that the bird loves you as much as you ,or your husband, loves
    it.  Birds in the wild often will regurgitate for their mates. 
    Thinking of it as a sign of affection makes it easier to deal with.
    But on the other hand, when in doubt ask an avian vet.
    
    	Good Luck
    		John
328.2PERFECTLY NORMAL!!MILPND::BUCCIERIWed Mar 14 1990 13:5918
Hi,

From all that I have read, reply number 1 is exactly right. It is a well known
fact that birds will regurgitate as a sign of affection. But consider yourself
luck that you have a small bird. Our 2 mini-macaw's, which are a little bit
bigger than a conure, regurgitate several times in the 1 hour time span that
they sit on our shoulders...And what an odor!! Not to be graphic, but belive
me, by the time he goes back in his cage, our shirts need to be washed 
immediately. I'm not sure if it is worse coming out of the other end of the
bird or not!!

But to answer your note, this is very normal and considered a compliment!!

We have 2 cockatiels as well, but they don't regurgitate like the mini's do.

Luanne Buccieri