Quaker Parrot

Question
QUESTION: I have a very sweet quaker named Shane, I am a new bird owner and have only had him about 6 months.  I vary his food, alternating each day between his seed mixture that was store bought "for large parrots" and a salad mixture with fresh greens and veggies. I get him fresh water twice a day. I let him try what I eat also and he gets a lot nuts. I made him a fruit mixture the other day, with strawberries, banana, apple, pear and blueberries instead of the salad mix  and I've noticed him fluffing out his feathers and throwing up the last couple of days, it has me worried.  He is still active, climbing around in his cage and playing with his toys.  He would throw up but not spit out, I took a portion out of his beak and it was just a hard, white substance -kind of like a macadamia nut but he hasn't had a macadamia.  It had no smell. It isn't constant and I haven't seen any difference in his droppings.  Should I be worried?

ANSWER: Hello Paula and thank you for your post.
Is Shane holding onto a favorite toy or object when he is puffing his feathers and throwing up?  If he is, then he is trying to provide food for this object, and there's nothing to worry about.  This is a natural instinct.  Other than that, keep a watch on him.  If you notice any changes in his stools at all, get him into a Certified Avian or exotic Animal Vet right away.

As for the seeds, he should only get them occasionally as a treat or a reward, and then very sparingly.  Seeds are high in fat and this is not good fo any bird.

Please keep me updated on how Shane is doing.

Good luck and God Bless.
Dianna


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He was not holding on to a toy, when I put my hand to him to step up he would nuzzle his beak in my hand and throw up. My husband is military and was deployed for about a month, so Shane had me to himself and we cuddled and kissed, he got plenty of attention. After discussing this with others, I've realized his behavior started after my husband came home so I thought he was just jealous and throwing a tantrum (because he started biting me, hard enough to draw blood and he hasn't bitten me since the first week we got him) it was suggested to me he is displaying "mate aggression". So we have figure that one out now! :-) He is aggressive towards me even when my husband isn't around.  I will stop feeding the seeds so often, I thought it was okay as it was packaged as regular food.

Answer
Hello again Paula.
Many people think the same thing about the seeds (myself included), but the real truth is that seeds are cheap, and the companies that package them are making a large fortune.  They're junk food.  As I said before, once in awhile, as a treat or a reward is fine, but in very limited quantities.

The best food to use is pelleted food.  It is more balanced, with all of the nutrients and vitamins that a bird needs.

God Bless.
Dianna