Is my bird ok?

Question

I have an african gray parrot that constantly yawns. is that natural for birds like them to do?

Answer 1

My first thought is, s/he should be just fine! No worries! If you're still concerned, can I ask how often your bird yawns? If it's yawning every minute or every hour), that could be a cause for concern, but if it's just a few times a day, that's natural. We humans yawn several times in a row, too! It helps us get more oxygen, since we don't always breathe as deeply when we get sleepy.

My family has owned a pet shop for about 10 years now. We've had all kinds of birds, and they do sometimes have funny habits! If your bird seems happy and healthy, keep up the great work!

Answer 2

No, it's not ok. I have a grey too (had him for many years) and have only seen him yawn a few times all his life. I would be very concerned about this, and you should be too. The first entry below was written by a highly experienced avian vet - the second was NOT. If I were in your shoes I would get my grey to a qualified, experienced avian vet ASAP. This is NOT the time to be playing guessing games and fooling around on Yahoo: your baby's life may be on the line:

Q: “Why do parrots open their beaks and stretch their tongues out? My 1-year-old parakeet, Sugar, occasionally opens his beak to breath. I first saw him do this about one month ago. But then last night I saw him open his beak with his tongue stretched out. Did he get dust in his throat? What causes this? I lost one budgie that started out with this motion and it lead to an acute respiratory problem that killed him the next day.
-- Suzanne, Wheeling, Ill.

A: FOREIGN MATERIAL in the throat such as dust or food will produce a yawn-like action. Any inflammation of the area, including infections, might prompt this open-beak action, too. However, birds also yawn, just like we do. In fact, you can induce a yawn by gently massaging a bird's ears and stimulating the eustachian tubes (the connection from the middle ear to the throat).

If your bird rarely yawns and appears normal in all other respects, you probably need not be concerned. However, if he is yawning frequently, with or without other symptoms, it's time to take him to your avian veterinarian for an examination.”

http://www.parrotchronicles.com/departments/yawning_askdrharris.htm
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“Yawning: Your bird may simply be tired or stretching its muscles. Occasionally, it may mean your bird needs more oxygen in its environment. The room that it is housed in might be stuffy. Let in alittle fresh air (make sure that all door and window screens are secure).”

http://www.mylittledarlings.com/parrotbehavior.html

Answer 3

Very natural, and a good sign. If he is arching his neck way out and yawning real big, it is a sign of affection. If he is just kind've laying his head back on his shoulder, and yawning a little bit, he is either slightly bored, or contemplating a nap. If so, when he is ready he will tuck his head, wherever he is, and take a little nap. Parrots love to adopt their human companions lifestyle, and love to stay up when you do, and sleep when you do!!!! They are extremely clever, and obviously, he has observed someone rather closely, and now is showing off his new found trick.... You didn't realize how smart he is did you---wait till he starts answering the phone and carrying a two-sided conversation, and nearly anything else he learns from his human companions. They just love to learn new things their humans do!!! Mine will climb up on my bed and make the alarm clock noise about 30 seconds before time to get up, and will meet me at the kitchen table for coffee and breakfast!!! Good luck, you will be amazed at what he will learn***Birdman

Answer 4

I wish I knew the answer. Constantly.......that may be a sign of a problem. Hopefully you have an avian specialist in your area who could answer this for you.
I have an Umbrella Cockatoo who rarely yawns and I watch 2 African Greys who also rarely yawn. You should definitely call your avian vet and ask him/her.

Answer 5

It may not be yawning at all, but that he's just stretching his jaws, and the skin by his beak. They have to keep their jaws in great shape in order to be able to exert the force that they do for nutcracking and stuff like that...

and, molt season's here! The skin on their faces gets new feathers too, and it's pretty itchy. So, at least my macaws, are constantly stretching their jaws right now. It helps with the sensitive skin there and it helps with their muscles and it helps with the molt.

Answer 6

That depends. If it is a behavior that was picked up and mimicked then all is fine, though if you are worried I would not rule out the possibility that perhaps your Grey may have swallowed something that it shouldn't have and a visit to the vet might be a good idea. If however he/she is acting fine otherwise (i.e. eating, playing, and perching well) I would not be concerned.

Answer 7

All birds yawn, those types mostly, just make sure he or she gets enough rest and he or she will be just fine.

Answer 8

I think that's cool lol!!
I have never seen birds yawn.

Answer 9

I believe he's fine. However, I think that you should cover his cage a little longer, because he might not be getting enough sleep. It's either you don't cover his cage, or your house is simply to noisy. I suggest that you put its cage in a quiet peaceful room.

Answer 10

Yeah, it's natural