Are you regurgitating...for me?

[Sarahtheumbrella]

I have just now noticed that Sarah is often hacking trying to regurgitate. Well, atleast that is what I think it is. She only does this when someone is petting her (usually my dad or me, and usually after a big meal). I know that sometimes they can consider someone a mate.

I was just concerned if this behavior could have a negative effect.She is already a skinny bird, and whenever she starts regurgitating, we just stop petting her and it subsides. But usually starts again. She has only been successful in regurgitating twice and she spit little seed bits and other unrecognizable stuff all over my dad and her cuddle blanket.

so to make it easy:the questions:
1. Is this good or bad
2. Health effects
3. If bad how can I stop

P.S. she has not been tested for gender so we just call her a she because her name is Sarah.

Thanks and I would appreciate any help! You guys are my mini lifesavers.

Please excuse me, I am aware there are many other threads about this, but Sarah is underweight and I am just really concerned. And the situation may be different for a U2...sorry.

 

[Remy]

If you are concerned with weight, I would recommend getting a scale and keeping track of her weight.

If it's only when somebody is petting her, it's a sign of affection, but probably one that should be discouraged, since it is something birds do for their mates and babies. You don't want your bird to think you are sexy.

Keep an eye out and see if she does it when she's not getting attention. When Puck threw up, he was very sick.

 

[Parrotmamma]

Cosmo does that for me , I just stop petting him when he starts it and offer him a toy . Their kinda like kids ...lol Gotta get their mind on something else.

 

[Sarahtheumbrella]

Thanks, and she only does it when she is getting affection. Thanks for your advice parrotmama and remy.

So we don't want them to actually throw up? But regurgitating is "the norm" as a sign of affection?

 

[Parrotmamma]

Yes , it is sign of affection and I like get his mind off it because if he keeps it up bits of food starts coming up :26: . One day he was regurgitating and a little black bean came up .... lol

 

[melissasparrots]

I've never had a cockatoo regurgitate for me. But I don't have umbrellas either. I think its less common for a cockatoo to do this than macaws or other species. Make sure this isn't vomiting. If vomiting, they tend to shake their head violently and sling food all over the place. If regurgitating, they chug their neck up and down a bit and food comes up. Often times they swallow it again.
I wouldn't worry about it too much if your sure its just regurgitating. When my macaw does it, I just put her down or distract her with something else. Usually I can tell when she's about to do it and distract before she does it.

 

[Sarahtheumbrella]

No, luckily she never shakes her head violently, but does this forward backward head thing.

Eww. We NEVER let her swallow it again!

WE just put her back up on her cage and then clean the mess and bring her back.

Today, in fact, my dad was cuddling her and she went in her cuddle blanket, my dad was patting her back absentmindedly(very into the Olympics opening ceremony! Well, I was too.) and when she poked her head out of the blanket my dad unfolded the blanket to find a little pile of digested looking seeds. It was in a very small area on the blanket, and not all over the place, I guess she just really loves my dad (it is about time Sarah!)

Will watch out to make sure she doesn't regurgitate to often!