Can anybody help?

[Midnightdog]

I have a lovebird who, whenever I let him out, is constantly scratching at his throat and or beak followed by a kinda choking motion which is the part that bothers me more. I havent had any luck finding any info on this and i'd really love to hear if anyone knows what hes doing or has any ideas. It's like he's either trying to get food out of his throat or beak, but it seems to be maybe he's allergic to something. I am going to experiment with taking some of his treats away to see if he stops, I have even taken his 'bird protector' off of his cage 2 days ago to see if that makes a difference bc I never noticed it before I put the 'bird protector' on. This could even be something birds do regularly, please let me know. And let me just say I grew up with a quaker parakeet and never saw or see him doing it and I work in a veterinarian hospital so Im not stupid when it comes to animals and I dont think what he's doing is normal. I just need help with figuring out this problem and helping him if I can...........................Thanks for any advice!!!!!!!!....................

[girly]

I can't think of any better place to get help with this than where you work.

[Midnightdog]

I would get help from one of the 5 vets I work for but we dont specialize in birds, there are few vets who do, and none of them or my co-workers even own birds so they really aren't the people to ask about this. Thats why I'm here for help......anybody?

[chapala]

First of all, parrots don't need the mite protectors that just put poison out that the birds then have to breathe. Not good for the birds, so a great first step to take it out.

It sounds like your bird may need to be evaluated by an avian vet. None of us here are vets and can't diagnose your bird. What you're describing doesn't sound normal to me.

[Jally]

Hi. I have a lovie, too and he does a little dance, a mating dance, that sounds a lot like what your lovie is doing. How old is your lovie?

Peanut's dance involves him scratching his neck and his nose, making a clicking noise with his beak, turning around in a circle, and bobbing his head up and down (regurgitating for me).

This is all normal. If he is doing these things on you, it means he loves you. If your lovie is still a youngster (under a year) he might be doing just some of these motions, not all of them start all at once.

[chapala]

so that's the mating dance for Lovies? Sure sounds different, but then I've never had a Lovebird!

[Monica]

Could it be that your lovie is scratching at his ear, which is causing an inbalance in the inner air canal vs the air pressure outside of his ear, which is thus making him yawn???

Here's what I mean, only that it's a human that is causing the inbalance
YouTube - Birdzilla yawning and grooming


As for the mite-protector, I agree, keep it off the cage away from your bird.

[Midnightdog]

In response to Jally

I just wanted to say thankyou so much for answering my question. I knew somebody had to know what I was talking about and could help me. Everything that u described was so accurate especially the regurgitating part, that was better than how I described it-choking. When I read your message I thought thats exactly what it is and I ran and told everybody. As a matter of fact, he's doing it right now!! And to answer ur questions he is about 7 months old and he is doing all the motions u described. Thankyou so much now I dont have to worry.
And can I ask u how did u find this out and does this mean 'he's' a boy or girl? Do u know?

[Flappuccino]

I was going to post the same resonse Jally did.

Yep- it's the clickity, itchy, scratchy, lovie dance.

Nope- boys and girls do it.

LOL- welcome to the wonderful world of lovies. They're so cute when they do that. It just means he/she loves you!