There are a few potential reasons why your bird may be regurgitating water. Regurgitation is when a bird’s crop muscles contract to bring up food or liquid from the crop to be re-chewed and swallowed again. This is different from vomiting where stomach contents are expelled. Regurgitation of water can sometimes be normal, especially in young birds that are still learning to swallow properly. However, it can also signal an underlying health issue that needs veterinary attention. In this article, we will go over the common causes of water regurgitation in birds and what you can do about it.
Normal Regurgitation in Young Birds
It is completely normal for baby birds to regurgitate food and water as they are learning to swallow and develop control over their crop. The crop is a pouch at the base of a bird’s neck where food is stored before passing further down into the digestive tract. Young birds may regurgitate accidentally as they figure out how to properly coordinate swallowing. As their crop muscles strengthen and they gain experience, this behavior usually decreases.
Some regurgitation is normal for the following baby birds:
Parrots
Parrot chicks often bob their heads up and down as they are being hand-fed formula by their owners. This motion helps them pump food from their crop into their stomach. Sometimes formula or water may come back up as they are learning to swallow properly. Parrot chicks often grow out of this by the time they are weaned.
Finches
Very young finches may regurgitate seeds or water as parents are feeding them. They are still developing the muscle coordination to swallow effectively. This behavior normally resolves by 2-3 weeks of age as they learn to swallow correctly.
Doves and pigeons
Baby doves and pigeons typically stop regurgitating formula or water by 2-3 weeks of age as their crop function matures. Some accidental regurgitation is normal as they develop.
As long as the regurgitation resolves as the baby bird ages and gains experience using its crop, it is nothing to worry about. Make sure crop emptying is occurring normally and watch for signs of illness. If excessive regurgitation persists past weaning age, it could signal a problem.
Common Medical Causes
If an adult or weaned bird is regurgitating water, it often indicates an underlying medical issue requiring veterinary attention. Some common causes include:
Crop Stasis or Slow Crop
Crop stasis means the crop has slowed down and is not properly emptying contents into the stomach. This can cause a backflow of water or food into the mouth. It is often caused by:
- Infections
- Inflammation
- Scarring
- Foreign objects
- Neurological issues
Crop stasis allows food to sit in the crop and ferment or spoil, causing secondary infections and illness. Prompt veterinary care is needed.
Sour or yeasty crop
The crop can overgrow with yeast or harmful bacteria. This causes fermentation and converts carbohydrates into alcohol. It creates a sour smell and slimy texture. Birds regurgitate water frequently to try and clear the crop. This condition requires medication to clear the infection.
Giardia
Giardia is a parasite that can infect a bird’s digestive system and cause regurgitation. It interferes with the proper functioning of the crop and stomach. Medication is needed to treat giardiasis infections.
Macrorhabdus ornithogaster infection
Macrorhabdus ornithogaster is a yeast infection that inflames a budgie’s crop, proventriculus, and ventriculus. It leads to regurgitation along with other symptoms. Veterinary care and antifungal medication are required for treatment.
Foreign objects
Sometimes pieces of toys, cage furnishings, fiber strands or other foreign material can get lodged in a bird’s crop and cause obstructions. This prevents the crop from emptying and leads to regurgitation of water and food. Removal of foreign objects by endoscopy or surgery is needed. Prevent access to unsafe objects.
Heavy metal poisoning
Ingesting lead, zinc or other heavy metals can cause gastrointestinal irritation and muscle weakness. This leads to regurgitation along with neurological symptoms in birds. Testing and treatment for heavy metal poisoning is needed.
Egg binding
Egg bound birds may regurgitate water frequently as eggs get stuck and put pressure on internal organs. This can prevent the crop from working properly. Veterinary assistance for egg binding is required.
| Cause | Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Crop stasis | Swollen crop, undigested food retained over 8 hours, loss of appetite, lethargy |
| Sour crop | Slimy yellow or brown discharge, foul sour smell, loss of appetite |
| Giardia | Diarrhea, weight loss, poor appetite |
| Macrorhabdus | Distended crop, weight loss, vomiting |
| Foreign objects | Swollen crop, vomiting, gagging, lethargy |
| Heavy metal poisoning | Weakness, seizures, diarrhea, breathing issues |
| Egg binding | Straining, swollen vent, weakness, lack of egg-laying |
When to See an Avian Veterinarian
Contact an avian vet promptly if your adult or weaned bird is regurgitating water frequently. Timely treatment is crucial.
Seek immediate vet care if your bird has any of these signs:
- Swollen, fluid-filled crop that is not emptying
- Weight loss or poor appetite
- Difficulty breathing
- Discharge or bleeding from nostrils or mouth
- Fluffed feathers, lethargy, weakness
- Diarrhea or change in droppings
- Straining or swollen abdomen
- Vomiting
- Neurological signs like seizures or loss of balance
Do not try home remedies without consulting an avian vet first. Medicating a bird incorrectly can make some conditions worse.
Diagnostics
The avian vet will run diagnostic tests to determine the cause of regurgitation:
Physical exam
Checking the bird’s weight, crop, abdomen, vent, eyes, mouth for clues. Feeling for lumps or foreign objects.
Radiographs
X-rays to visualize crop and gastrointestinal tract. Checks for obstructions, foreign objects, eggs, or organ issues.
Blood tests
Checks blood cell counts and biochemical markers. Screens for infections and illnesses.
Fecal gram stains
Checks bird’s droppings under a microscope for increased bacteria, yeast, parasites.
Endoscopy
Inserts a tiny camera down the throat into crop and esophagus to visualize issues. Can obtain biopsies.
Crop flush
Flushes sterile saline solution into the crop and retrieves contents for analysis under a microscope.
Crop culture
Takes a sample of crop cells/fluids to identify yeast and bacteria present so proper antibiotics can be selected.
Crop biopsy
Takes a small tissue sample to check for thickening, inflammation, and abnormal cells.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying cause found. Some options may include:
- Antibiotics for bacterial infections
- Antifungals for yeast infections
- Deworming medication for giardia parasites
- Heavy metal detoxification
- Endoscopy to retrieve foreign objects
- Crop massage to loosen thickened contents
- Fluid therapy and nutritional support if dehydrated or underweight
- Surgery to repair tissue damage or remove growths
- Hormone injections to induce egg-laying if egg-bound
Follow your avian vet’s treatment plan carefully. Give all medications as prescribed until the regurgitation resolves. Prompt treatment leads to the best outcome. Call the vet if symptoms worsen or do not start improving within the expected timeframe. Follow up visits are usually needed to ensure the bird is healing properly.
Prevention
You can help prevent water regurgitation and crop problems by:
- Feeding a healthy diet – avoid excess seeds, provide pellets and vegetables
- Giving filtered, chlorinated water, change daily
- Removing unsafe toys, cage parts that could be swallowed
- Avoiding heavy metal exposure from cages, toys, paint
- Keeping food and water bowls clean
- Limiting sugary foods that promote yeast growth
- Getting regular avian vet checkups to catch issues early
Monitor your bird’s appetite, droppings, and behavior daily. Weigh regularly to look for weight loss. Watch the crop to make sure it empties overnight. Knowing your bird’s normal patterns makes it easier to notice signs of illness requiring prompt veterinary care.
Conclusion
Occasional regurgitation of water in young birds is normal as they learn to use their crop. But regurgitation in adult birds often indicates an underlying health problem. Causes can include crop infections, obstructions, heavy metal poisoning, nutritional issues, and more. Contact an avian vet right away if your bird is regurgitating water frequently. Proper diagnosis and timely treatment can resolve many crop conditions before they become severe. With supportive care and follow up, most birds recover well and regain normal crop function after water regurgitation episodes. Be vigilant about prevention through proper diet, water, cage safety, and regular checkups. Monitoring your bird and knowing their normal patterns allows early intervention if a problem develops. With prompt veterinary care, your feathered friend can beat this condition and thrive.
