Is something wrong

[LeAnneBoone14]

My B&G macaw rubber her tongue on the inside of her beak all the time is the normal? Other then this doesn't seem like anything else is wrong. Should I be worried? She does it a lot when my husband is petting her but she also does it when she is just sitting in her cage. Why is she doing this?

 

[Terry57]

I don't have a macaw so am not sure if this is normal, but am bumping your thread back up. We have several members owned by macaws here, hopefully one of them will be able to help

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I don't have a macaw so am not sure if this is normal, but am bumping your thread back up. We have several members owned by macaws here, hopefully one of them will be able to help

Another "bump"






Jim

 

[Abu Colo]

Birds are weird. I can’t see how this dangerous or a symptom of another issue but find a vet and call to ask if he should be brought in.

 

[SailBoat]

My B&G macaw rubber her tongue on the inside of her beak all the time is the normal? Other then this doesn't seem like anything else is wrong. Should I be worried? She does it a lot when my husband is petting her but she also does it when she is just sitting in her cage. Why is she doing this?

Likely a comforting response to the interaction with a family member. Although not the samething, it could be viewed much like a dog wagging its tail when interacting.

Parrots commonly have a dry mouth and the tongue has a large number of sensors, hence moving the tongue results in a feel good moment.

If there is a consistency to rubbing one side or the other, check for a chip along the mouth opening of the upper and lower Beak.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Our macaw does that a lot. Sometimes he grinds his beak, which is the parrot equivalent of purring, and sometimes he just tongues it. Beaks are very sensitive, and maybe it feels good, or is relaxing.

 

[wrench13]

Kentuc, thats what I am thinking too. Its something he finds comforting.

 

[happy410]

Tesla does this also. He usually grinds his beak then rubs his tongue around the inside the tip of his beak.

 

[LeAnneBoone14]

Thank ya'll so much this has eased my mind greatly. I'm still going to speak with the vet when we go for a check up but I'm not quite as concerned as I was.

 

[Kentuckienne]

You are doing the right thing, absolutely, paying attention and asking questions. All the study in the world isn't as good as knowing your bird, knowing what's normal for him, and noticing when something changes. Carry on, carry on.

 

[LordTriggs]

comforting, fun, happy could be any of that

or he could be doing an impression of a hamster and hiding a bit of food in there? Silly thought but hey you never know, seems like a good place to store a sneaky snack