brown throated conure vomiting

Question
Do Conures Vomit or is it a form of regurditation?  Mine only seems to do it once a week or so and as far as i know only when i am holding her, but not everytime i hold her. She is about 8 - 10 months old.  We allow her to eat table food as well as cockatiel seed, parrot seed, with a mixture of shelled sunflower seeds.  she has a calendar she tears apart but i dont believe she is eating it.

Answer
It could be regurgitation, birds do this to express affection to a favorite person or toy. (Birds feed each other by regurgitation to reinforce bonds and also to show "hey honey- look how well I'll take care of you and the chicks if we breed" :)

However, I would try to improve her diet. Sunflower seeds should only be given very rarely as a treat (if ever at all). And you should be feeding your bird fresh veggies and fruits (as well as pellets) every day in addition to limited amounts of seed.

Here is an excerpt from an excellent article, written by an avian vet with a little bit of information on diet (from www.forthebirdsDVM.com):

"Diet: Seeds vs. Pellets

Seed diets are nutritionally inadequate for birds. Seed diets are high in fat and low in the vitamins, minerals, and protein that birds need to stay healthy. While birds can survive temporarily on seed diets, in time chronic malnutrition will compromise their immune systems, and they will get sick.

Pelleted diets are specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of your bird. They contain the right balance of vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and fats that your bird requires for optimal health. There are a number of different pellets available at your local pet store or veterinary clinic. It is best to avoid pellets that are brightly colored, and opt for the pellets that do not contain food coloring. Ask your veterinarian which type of pellets is best for your bird.

Table Foods

Some birds like to eat table foods in addition to their pellets. It is okay to feed most healthy low-fat, low-salt items to your bird. Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin A are particularly important for parrots. Foods that are toxic to your bird and must be avoided include chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, avocado, and highly salted foods. It is important to wash fruits and vegetables carefully before feeding them to your bird." (from www.forthebirdsDVM.com)

I hope this helps.

-Maggie