James Harris, DVM
Birds yawn, just like people
 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.
 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 ear openings 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 ways, 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.
James Harris, DVM is owner and medical director of the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, Tasmania, Australia. He founded Montclair Veterinary Hospital in Oakland, Calif., and has served as medical director and chairman of the board for the International Bird Rescue Research Center in Berkeley. Dr. Harris' numerous professional honors include California and National Bustad Companion Animal DVM Awards.
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