can birds choke?

[tkirsch9368]

my bird had apiece of pop corn and I am affraid the hull got caught in his throat. He is acting wierd and moveing his head about kinda funny and he keeps swollowing but he is talking. Does that mean he is not choking of he os talking?

[DynamitePsycho]

Well, just like a person, if he was choking, he wouldn't be able to talk. I have a feeling either 1) might have irritated his throat a little by the hull (which happens to us too) or 2) he has a sensation (or there really is) a tiny piece that got a little stuck. Keep an eye on him. He might even be trying to regurtitate for you (that's a sign of love). Keep us in the loop!

[Lisa B]

yes they can choke. yes they can get things caught.
will he take some water freely? Can you video it?

[tkirsch9368]

he is drinking water and talking so I dont think he is choking. I think he os trying to regurg. He really likes mu husband and hubby is getting closer at being able to get him on his hand from his cage so I thought maybe that is what he was getting ready to do. My Sun Conure does that to me, he hrows up on me all the time. He is better now and has stopped "acting funny"

[Lisa B]

ok good.
Try to keep notice if he does that whenever he's around your hubby....then ya know its love!

[kellywess]

I had a problem with popcorn before... never again will a bird of mine have popcorn. My Blue Crown years ago got a hull stuck. I was told to give her pineapple juice (acid would break it down) and to let her play with a toothbrush. Prior to taking this advice she did not eat and yawned and hacked for 5 hours. About and hour or so after filling her water bowl with the juice... she started eating. Had to bribe her with sunflower seeds but she began to eat and perk back up. It was a very scary day in the life... let me tell ya. I thought I was gonna lose her that day.

[DynamitePsycho]

I'm glad to hear everything is fine. Like Lisa said, keep a good eye. I think a certain birdy is in love!

[FoxersArtist]

YES!!! Birds absolutely can choke!!! We had a little budgie once that we rescued and treated for fatty liver disease for quite some time. I was so pleased to turn the little guy around and he was finally starting to enjoy good health. One evening I came in to check on the babies and he was laying on the floor of the cage, cold and dead. I took him to the vet the following morning for necropsy. The results? He had choked on a clump of seed that he had swallowed all at once. I sincerely did not want to believe the results, but have come to trust my vet to the ends of the earth. Still seems like such a freak thing to have happen to a bird.

-Anna