Conure Repeatedly Licking Beak/Shaking Head

[ShanCaz]

Hello! I’m pretty new. I apologize that my first thread is a general but my conure’s new behaviour is concerning me.

My Sun Conure, Kyle, has developed a new trait of licking the top of his beak and jerking his head erratically. This is his first time doing this and he has been with me for six years so I’m extremely paranoid. I’m waiting for my next paycheck to take him to the vet, but I’m hoping I can gain some insight until then.

I first noticed this behaviour when sitting outside with him in his aviary about a week ago. He’s been doing it every now and then ever since. As far as I’m concerned, I have seen no head trauma and he hasn’t crashed into anything. He hasn’t been flying since the woman who clips his nail actually clipped his wings despite me asking her not to. Our house is air conditioned so he isn’t overheating and he is not panting. However, I’ve recently started easing him into a RowdyBush pellet diet in hopes of giving him a healthier diet. He still has seeds in the afternoon though. He is eating his food and weighs 109g the last time I checked him. He has never had trouble getting his fruits or veggies out of his beak and it doesn’t appear that the new food is getting stuck to his beak.

If anyone has any advice or a hypothesis, I would greatly appreciate it so that I can bring it up to the vet. His eating, drinking, and behaviour is still the same other than shaking his head and repeatedly licking his beak. There is no regurgitation or head bobbing to signal that he even wants to throw it up. If anyone needs anymore information, I will gladly provide it.

Thank you!

 

[clark_conure]

Don't apologize this is why we are here!

Sometimes a Conure will adopt a weird custom, but not always symptom. I would recommend an AVN visit, as I haven't seen my Conures do this, but I wouldn't be to worried unless I saw more symptoms. Sometimes mine will wipe their beak on my for 1 or 2 minutes, (I secretly enjoy it).

But for sure get a checkup I get all mine checked on every 6 months.

 

[ShanCaz]

Don't apologize this is why we are here!

Sometimes a Conure will adopt a weird custom, but not always symptom. I would recommend an AVN visit, as I haven't seen my Conures do this, but I wouldn't be to worried unless I saw more symptoms. Sometimes mine will wipe their beak on my for 1 or 2 minutes, (I secretly enjoy it).

But for sure get a checkup I get all mine checked on every 6 months.

Thank youu!! I get paid tomorrow so I’ll definitely set up an appointment ASAP but this definitely made me feel better for now.

I’ve read some other threads that say birds will develop new quirks it to soothe themselves or when they’re bored so I’m hoping you’re right! A bored bird is better than a sick one! (even though he has PLENTY of toys that he destroys, much to my poor paycheck)

 

[ravvlet]

I agree that a CAV visit is in order but that it doesn’t necessarily sound like it is a health related thing. However, if you are in the US, I would urge you caution in using an outdoor aviary unless it has a roof and you are not in an area currently affected by avian influenza.

H5N1 Bird Flu Detections across the United States (Wild Birds) | Avian Influenza (Flu)

Everything you need to know about the flu illness, including symptoms, treatment and prevention.

www.cdc.gov

This has a map and incident report of wild birds testing positive for it, sorted by date. Looks like it’s still circulating, so be careful!

 

[SunConureBaba]

Any sneezing / nasal discharge?
One day my son started to shake his head left and right and sneeze frequently. It was because he got some water into his nose / lung when he took a shower that morning. I made him upside down and gently massaged his chest. He quickly recovered after that. Your case is probably different.

 

[ShanCaz]

I agree that a CAV visit is in order but that it doesn’t necessarily sound like it is a health related thing. However, if you are in the US, I would urge you caution in using an outdoor aviary unless it has a roof and you are not in an area currently affected by avian influenza.

H5N1 Bird Flu Detections across the United States (Wild Birds) | Avian Influenza (Flu)

Everything you need to know about the flu illness, including symptoms, treatment and prevention.

www.cdc.gov

This has a map and incident report of wild birds testing positive for it, sorted by date. Looks like it’s still circulating, so be careful!

Thank you! I live in the US but his aviary has a wooden top and is ALWAYS kept close. Im also always sitting next to him when he goes outside due to the neighborhood kids and other dangers that can fit through the bars like small snakes and bugs ^-^
I will definitely check that map out though just incase, thank you again so much!

 

[HeatherG]

My bird licks his beak when he gets food on it. Have you changed foods to something sticky or juicy?

 

[ShanCaz]

My bird licks his beak when he gets food on it. Have you changed foods to something sticky or juicy?

Nope! I’ve seen him just rub his beak whenever he gets something on his beak, but he has never had trouble with his food before. The only new diet change would be an increase in pellets since I’ve been slowly weening him off. He’s stopped doing it as of recently but he is still going to the vet very soon haha

 

[HeatherG]

Nope! I’ve seen him just rub his beak whenever he gets something on his beak, but he has never had trouble with his food before. The only new diet change would be an increase in pellets since I’ve been slowly weening him off. He’s stopped doing it as of recently but he is still going to the vet very soon haha

Well I’m glad he’s going to the vet. If something is wrong, I hope they find it.

If a bird is shaking it’s head I think there’s usually something in its ‘nose’ bothering it.

 

[ShanCaz]

Well I’m glad he’s going to the vet. If something is wrong, I hope they find it.

If a bird is shaking it’s head I think there’s usually something in its ‘nose’ bothering it.

Oh boy, I hope not! He literally just got a HUGE new cage like a few days before this post. But I’ll bring that up anyways, I appreciate it a lot!

I hope the vet can help out too! Thank you!!!

 

[ShanCaz]

Hello! I’m pretty new. I apologize that my first thread is a general but my conure’s new behaviour is concerning me.

My Sun Conure, Kyle, has developed a new trait of licking the top of his beak and jerking his head erratically. This is his first time doing this and he has been with me for six years so I’m extremely paranoid. I’m waiting for my next paycheck to take him to the vet, but I’m hoping I can gain some insight until then.

I first noticed this behaviour when sitting outside with him in his aviary about a week ago. He’s been doing it every now and then ever since. As far as I’m concerned, I have seen no head trauma and he hasn’t crashed into anything. He hasn’t been flying since the woman who clips his nail actually clipped his wings despite me asking her not to. Our house is air conditioned so he isn’t overheating and he is not panting. However, I’ve recently started easing him into a RowdyBush pellet diet in hopes of giving him a healthier diet. He still has seeds in the afternoon though. He is eating his food and weighs 109g the last time I checked him. He has never had trouble getting his fruits or veggies out of his beak and it doesn’t appear that the new food is getting stuck to his beak.

If anyone has any advice or a hypothesis, I would greatly appreciate it so that I can bring it up to the vet. His eating, drinking, and behaviour is still the same other than shaking his head and repeatedly licking his beak. There is no regurgitation or head bobbing to signal that he even wants to throw it up. If anyone needs anymore information, I will gladly provide it.

Thank you!

Update to this just incase anyone has the same concern!
It was just a new quirk that he decided to take up as a signal that he is excited! xD