Using nail to make nostril bigger

[birdstheword]

My caique sticks her toenail in her nostril and when she pulls it out it is significantly bigger than the other nostril. She has some respiratory issues and wheezes when she gets excited but 2 avian vets haven't said its anything to worry about. Does anyone else's bird expand their nostrils like this?

 

[ceegull]

Yeah one of my birds has done this a few times and then he licks his nail after it.

 

[Iholm5]

My U2 and my GCC both do this to help them sneeze from time to time. They have done it less since we got an air purifier.

 

[ChrisDines]

He's picking his nose. My black headed caique does it all the time. Gross, but so cute! :-D

 

[Brittany741]

All my caiques (one pet, two fosters) and every other foster I've had does this to pick their nose. They say parrots are toddles for a reason If two vets have said your baby is okay, then I would say it's normal behavior. Mine have all licked their nail afterwards.