Wheezing only when preening!!

[birds-r-best]

Okay, I am not sure what to think of this. I have a Maxi Pionus, female, about 12-13 years old. She eats Harrison's pellets and healthy fresh food of mainly veggies/fruits. She seems healthy - good weight, good feathers, active, etc..

Here's the problem...

Sometimes when she is preening she makes a very quiet wheezing sound. It is not the wheeze they make when they are scared. Just a slight wheeze when preening and not every moment she is preening. I have "man-handled" her to get her somewhat worked up to see if she will wheeze due to exertion, and she does not. Same with making her flap her wings and getting her a little tired - no wheezing then. I can't make her do it any other time. She doesn't have labored breathing. Her nares (nostrils) are not blocked at all and are not runny. They have no mucous at all. Not a lot of sneezing either. Also, no dusty birds in the house...just a lovebird who shares the room with her.

What should I think? Does anyone else's bird do this? Maybe it is just because her nostrils are buried in feathers when she is preening and that is why there's a quiet wheeze sound?

Thanks ahead for the help!

[birdlady49]

My Greys do that too when they're preening. I don't think it's wheezing. I think you're just hearing their tongues grabbing the feathers for preening.

[birds-r-best]

Thanks, that is a great idea to check on. I know the sound you are talking about....at least I think that is what you're talking about. The sound of them grabbing the feathers and also running their beaks down them? That isn't the sound I'm talking about. She does that too. This is a higher pitched wheeze even when she is preening - even just doing her very small neck feathers (when there wouldn't be a lot of feather grabbing sound). She doesn't do it every second she is preening, it is off & on. Also, now I have noticed that sometimes when she chews on her playpen she makes the sound occasionally. I had a cockatoo in the past, and cockatiels, and have been around other birds...so I'm pretty sure this isn't the feather grabbing/preening sound. Sigh.... I wish it was that easy! I just don't know if this means respiratory infection? There is no mucous, swelling, labored breathing, etc...nothing else!

[Lisa B]

well, see if you can get it on tape, and take it with you to the vet. All respiratory problems dont show signs....some might just show wheezing or labored breathing. However with that said, a problem caught early is an easily cured one.
It might be nothing, but it will give you peace of mind, and that in itself is worth it. good luck.

[birdlady49]

It sounds like an avian vet visit is in order. He doesn't have to be "wheezing" at the time of the appointment as the vet has the stethoscope to listen to his lungs and draw blood if necessary, etc..