I noticed 2 days ago that one of them was jutting it's neck out and opening it's mouth very wide. This is often followed by a one foot stand and the other foot with its claws curled up and push out and backwards under the wing. ... My roxy does something that freaks me out! She stretches her neck and opens her mouth real wide and sticks out her tongue out and it almost looks like she's gagging or something ? Depends on the situation. In fact, these actions are part of the classic sick budgie look. Cockatiels love to stretch and they do this after sitting still for a while and sleeping. Makes me nervous. Hi friends, My few-months-old RES has been sticking out her neck and opening her mouth very frequently, like twice a minute. If the cockatiel is believed to be sick, the bird should be taken to a veterinarian immediately. The bird could be yawning, as all creatures do. Difficulty breathing including stretching their neck and leaning forward to breathe, open mouth breathing, puffing out their cheeks with each breath or bobbing their tail with each breath ... You should keep your bird calm and in a quiet environment, remove perches and swings, put food and water close to your bird in shallow dishes. A parakeet. ... stretching their neck out and opening their mouth wide, sometimes 2-3 times in succession. (Plucked feathers will grow back more quickly than those that have been cut off at the base.) How long has this been a concern? Her crop is empty and nothing down her throat. There are 2 theories for this. Seemed better. One is that the bird enjoys the sound it hears. It didn't seem to be breathing heavily or have any other symptoms. The first is bacterial infection possibly from the compost clippings. Dry and firm poop. Cockatiels, like all birds, are very adapt at concealing their illness.This is a self-preservation mechanism, as the sick and the weak are the ones predators will focus on. Can you tell me a little more about the parakeet's situation? These behaviors are normal and there is no need to worry. In some scenarios, this is not a cause for concern, but in other scenarios, neck stretching and beak opening are a sign of potential sickness. A feather-biting bird will bite his feathers and snip them off at the base, close to the skin or directly at the feather follicle. They lift both wings up and sort of stretch them without opening them, it sounds strange but watch and you will understand. The other theory is that it dislikes the sound it hears. Like humans, birds stretch to relieve tension. 1-2 days. Gaping (opening of the mouth and extending of the neck) can come from a number of different causes. Veterinarian's Assistant: I'll do all I can to help. Caught her up. One of my 5 week old baby chicks is stretching her neck and opening and closing her mouth. More olive oil. If your bird is constantly shaking its head or stretching its neck, it may be starting to develop a respiratory or other type of infection. I gave her some olive oil. Stretching. Other reasons a cockatiel may open its mouth include yawing, sneezing, chirping, or whistling. They could be adjusting their crop, an almost.. secondary stomach, for lack of a better phrase. Followers 1. A plucking bird will pull and pluck the feathers out completely. She is stretching her neck and opening her mouth. Neck stretching and acting like he's chocking ??? My cockatiel sleeps on one foot with its head tucked under its wing. By the time your cockatiel looks ill, you can assume that your pet is seriously sick and is likely to deterioriate quickly unless appropriate treatment is provided. Started chipping and running around living room. However viral infections like influenza, mycoplasma infections, fungal infections and parasites are also very possible causes. Veterinarian's Assistant: What type of bird are we talking about? Started symptoms again. Moving the food inside to sit more comfortably. RES keeps stretching out her neck and opening her mouth Sign in to follow this . ... A forum community dedicated to Cockatiel owners and enthusiasts. When a budgie opens her beak and stretches her neck, she probably is about to regurgitate. Is she sick? RES keeps stretching out her neck and opening her mouth ... Posted May 9, 2009.