Society "yawning" behavior?

[MistyCate]

I need to know if I should be worried about Tumbleweed, my 2 year old Society's (single bird, pet) behavior recently. He's been doing this "yawning" thing, which I have seen occasionally in the past, but the last couple days it seems to be more frequent. Not constant, just more noticeable. Otherwise he eats, drinks, plays, sings and look healthy and normal.

I read somewhere about adding/diluting apple cider vinegar in his water and keep changing it, but I wasn't sure. Would that be similar to the water supplements/medicine you can buy over counter at Petsmart? Those have helped in the past. (In November he lost his companion bird, and had a cold himself, but recovered, and he isn't showing any of those 'sickness' signs like he did then...)

I tried to take a photo of him doing this, but now of course he hasn't done it for the last hour

Thank in advance for any tips,

~Misty

[Jasmin]

My Gouldians do this too.
It's like an open mouth yawn and the tongue wiggles a bit.

I read somewhere (maybe on this forum?) that it "could" be a symptom of Air Sack Mites.

I'm really reluctant to give medicine if it's not needed and I've been observing them for a few months now and I haven't noticed other symptoms..soo..
I hope someone else has more insight! I'm interested to learn more about this behaviour too.

Also, I've noticed my Gouldian babies do it too, and I am convinced they learned it from the parents!

[MistyCate]

Yes, exactly! He just seems to be doing more than usual. But otherwise healthy as can be. I don't want to get a companion for him until I am sure.

Hopefully someone will chime in with more ideas for us

.....

My Gouldians do this too.
It's like an open mouth yawn and the tongue wiggles a bit.

I read somewhere (maybe on this forum?) that it "could" be a symptom of Air Sack Mites.

I'm really reluctant to give medicine if it's not needed and I've been observing them for a few months now and I haven't noticed other symptoms..soo..
I hope someone else has more insight! I'm interested to learn more about this behaviour too.

Also, I've noticed my Gouldian babies do it too, and I am convinced they learned it from the parents!

[kathmcm]

I have noticed my green singers do this occasionally. I've only seen it when they are just sitting around on the perch, sometimes around the time they have been stretching their wings or legs. I feel sure it's just a yawn, not a medical issue.

[dan78]

Mistycate, I have noticed this in my canaries mainly and usually only when they are about to sing or just after. I would just watch him and see if anything else may appear as an issue but for now I would let him be as this is something he may do out of bordom or there may be a respiratory problem still unfolding. You could buy a friend for him and place it in a cage nearby as you would be quarantining him also and this will allow them to chatta between them.

[MistyCate]

Thanks, Dan. Although I am sure he is a male, he chatters, but doesn't sing - maybe he's trying to! He usually does it when I am talking to him. But I will certainly keep an eye on him and watch his breathing.

Thats funny you should mention getting a friend in a 2nd cage - I was planning to this weekend I've always just added a new bird to the same cage in the past, but in this case I will definitely spend the extra bucks and buy another cage. Always good to have in case they do get sick.

Mistycate, I have noticed this in my canaries mainly and usually only when they are about to sing or just after. I would just watch him and see if anything else may appear as an issue but for now I would let him be as this is something he may do out of bordom or there may be a respiratory problem still unfolding. You could buy a friend for him and place it in a cage nearby as you would be quarantining him also and this will allow them to chatta between them.