Weird new licking behavior ?

[IndySE]

I'm starting to get concerned. About the end of the week, Kermit started licking the inside of her beak. She's always had a funny fascination with her tongue (she loves sticking it out sideways), but this is a repetitive motion where she's rolling it over the roof of her mouth. She's only been doing it from the inside of her cage. I've looked into her mouth a few times (even toweled her over it yesterday... she was not pleased). There's nothing obviously "sticky", which I was reading can be a symptom of some kind of yeast infection. So far her droppings have been relatively normal ; a few looser ones earlier, but she had some solid droppings too so all within normal range.

What I did notice was the top of her tongue appeared smooth, and the side of it appeared "rougher", almost like taste buds or something. I'm not sure the anatomy of bird tongues (there's no good pics out there, sadly), so I'm not sure if that's normal or a sign of thrush (which I've read can be "terrycloth like").

I was also reading some birds just like doing it. So I'm wondering if it's just something she's doing to entertain herself ? I'm a little concerned given how it just showed up. I have a day off Friday, so I may just schedule a vet appt to be certain (quell the paranoia) if it persists. Some thoughts on whether this is within normal would be appreciated.

Much appreciated !

 

[wrench13]

I've seen videos of IRN sticking their toungs out to the side, where the owner was trying to catch it,as a game.

 

[clark_conure]

Nothing wrong with an avn appt. But my conure sometimes plays with his tongue. Make the appt, a checkup is never a bad idea, but I wouldn't worry to much about it....as a conure he might just be doing it because you are responding to it.

 

[IndySE]

wrench13; that's exactly what Kermit did, from day one. I always felt like she was trying hard to live up to her name, haha.

clark_conure; I'm inclined to agree with you. I only seem to observe her doing it when I walk up to her cage. I want her to live forever, so I get extra paranoid. I'll just keep an eye on her droppings.