# Why Is My Budgie Throwing Up Seeds? Regurgitation Explained Why is my budgie throwing up seeds? In many cases, a budgie bringing up whole seeds is regurgitation, a normal bonding behavior, especially in a bird that is bonded to you, a toy, or a mirror. But when seeds come up with mucus, a bad smell, weight loss, or a fluffed-up posture, it can point to a crop infection, an obstruction, or a serious viral disease. This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment. ## Quick Answer - Regurgitation is active and controlled. Your budgie pumps its neck and brings up a small amount of food, often to feed a mate, a mirror, or you. - Vomiting is passive and messy. Food flies out, often with head shaking, and the bird usually looks sick. - Whole seeds coming back up right after eating can be normal bonding behavior, but it can also mean the crop is not emptying properly. - A crop that stays full, smells sour, or looks swollen needs a veterinary visit, often the same day. - Any budgie that is fluffed, quiet, sitting on the cage floor, or breathing hard needs emergency care. ## What Regurgitation Looks Like and What Is Normal Regurgitation in budgies is a deliberate action. The bird extends its neck, makes small pumping or head-bobbing motions, and brings up a small amount of food. The material is usually a soft paste of seeds and saliva. It may drop onto a mirror, a toy, your hand, or another bird. This behavior is common in bonded budgies. A single budgie may regurgitate to a mirror or a favorite toy. A pair may feed each other. A hand-raised budgie may try to feed your finger. The bird usually looks bright, active, and hungry afterward. It eats, chirps, and behaves normally. Normal regurgitation happens in small amounts. It does not happen all day. It does not leave the bird thin, weak, or fluffed. If your budgie is doing this and otherwise seems well, it is often a sign of affection, not illness. Vomiting is different. Vomiting is a passive, involuntary action. The bird may shake its head, and food flies out in different directions. The material may be sticky, and it can stick to the feathers around the face and head. A vomiting bird often looks unwell. It may be quiet, fluffed, or off its food. ## Why Is My Budgie Throwing Up Seeds? Main Causes Several problems can cause a budgie to bring up whole seeds. Some are mild. Some are life threatening. The table below lists the most common causes and the clues that help tell them apart. | Cause | Typical clues | How urgent | |---|---|---| | Bonding regurgitation | Small amounts, bird looks bright, happens near a mate, mirror, or you | Not urgent, monitor | | Crop infection (ingluvitis) | Sour smell, crop swelling, mucus, weight loss, going light | Same day | | Crop stasis or slow crop emptying | Crop stays full for hours, undigested seeds, poor appetite | Same day | | Proventricular dilatation disease (PDD) | Regurgitation, undigested seeds in droppings, weight loss, neurological signs | Same day to urgent | | Foreign body or obstruction | Repeated attempts to bring up food, no droppings, crop full | Emergency now | | Trichomoniasis | Going light, crop infection, weight loss | Same day | | Megabacteriosis (going light) | Weight loss, going light, crop or stomach inflammation | Same day | | Polyomavirus (in young birds) | Crop stasis, high death rate in nestlings, adult birds often mild | Emergency now | ### Bonding Regurgitation This is the most common reason a healthy budgie brings up seeds. The bird is not sick. It is trying to feed someone or something it sees as a mate. A mirror is a frequent target. So is a favorite toy, a perch, or your hand. You can usually tell this apart from illness by watching the whole bird. A bonding budgie is active, eats well, keeps its feathers smooth, and has normal droppings. It regurgitates for a short time and then goes back to normal behavior. ### Crop Infection and Ingluvitis The crop is a pouch where food is stored before it moves to the stomach. If the crop becomes inflamed, it is called ingluvitis. A common cause in budgies is Trichomonas gallinae, a parasite that can infect the crop [1]. Birds with this infection often show signs of going light, which means they lose weight and look thin and weak [1]. A crop infection often causes a sour or foul smell from the mouth. The crop may look swollen or feel doughy. The bird may bring up seeds with mucus. It may also have a poor appetite or lose weight. ### Crop Stasis and Slow Crop Emptying Crop stasis means the crop is not emptying at a normal speed. Food sits there instead of moving down the digestive tract. This can happen with infections, low body temperature, dehydration, or other illness. It can also happen with some viral diseases. One virus that can cause crop stasis is budgerigar fledgling disease polyomavirus. This virus causes budgerigar fledgling disease in psittacine species, and clinical signs include crop stasis, ascites, and hepatitis [2]. It has a high death rate in nestling birds, while adult birds often have only mild signs such as feather problems [2]. If your budgie's crop stays full for hours, or if you can still feel seeds in the crop long after a meal, that is a warning sign. Call your veterinarian. ### Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD) PDD is a fatal neurological disease caused by avian bornaviruses. It is considered a major threat to psittacine birds [3]. In a survey of pet psittacines with signs compatible with PDD, 28.6 percent tested positive for bornaviruses [3]. Among the positive birds, 21.9 percent had undigested seeds in their feces, and 18.8 percent had regurgitation [3]. PDD can also cause neurological signs. In the same survey, 65.6 percent of bornavirus-positive birds had neurological signs [3]. Other studies have linked bornavirus infection to feather-damaging behavior and neurological signs in psittacine birds [4]. A budgie with PDD may bring up seeds, pass undigested seeds in the droppings, lose weight, and develop balance problems or seizures. This disease is serious and needs veterinary care. ### Foreign Body or Obstruction Sometimes a budgie swallows something that cannot pass through. String, plastic, or a sharp object can block the crop or the stomach. The bird may repeatedly try to bring up food and fail. The crop may stay full. Droppings may stop. This is an emergency. A blocked bird can die quickly. Go to an emergency veterinary hospital right away. ### Other Infections Megabacteria (now often called Macrorhabdus) can cause proventriculitis in budgies. In one study of budgies with going light, eight birds had megabacteria, seven had Trichomonas gallinae, and three had both conditions [1]. Birds with megabacteria had significant increases in white blood cells, while birds with Trichomonas had normal white cell counts [1]. Some birds in both groups were anemic [1]. This shows why testing matters. The treatment for each cause is different. Your veterinarian can use blood tests and other exams to tell them apart. ## Red Flags That Make It an Emergency Some signs mean your budgie needs help right now. Do not wait to see if it improves. - The bird is fluffed up and sitting on the cage floor. - Breathing is fast, noisy, or labored. - The crop is swollen, tight, or does not empty. - There is a foul smell from the mouth. - The bird has stopped eating or has no droppings. - The bird is losing weight or looks thin. - There is blood in the droppings or around the vent. - The bird has seizures, head tilt, or trouble balancing. - The bird is a young nestling or fledgling with crop stasis. If you see any of these, call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately. If you are in the United States and think your bird ate something toxic, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661. ## Safe Things You Can Do at Home While Waiting While you wait for your appointment, there are a few safe steps you can take. These do not replace veterinary care, but they can help keep your budgie stable. ### Keep the Bird Warm A sick budgie loses heat quickly. Move the cage to a quiet, warm room. Keep the temperature around 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit if you can. Use a heat lamp or a heating pad on low, but leave space so the bird can move away if it gets too warm. ### Offer Easy Food and Water Offer soft foods that are easy to digest. Cooked oatmeal, mashed pellets, or a small amount of warm baby food without additives can help. Do not force-feed your bird. Do not give human medications. Do not try to flush the crop yourself. ### Separate the Bird if Needed If you have other birds, move the sick budgie to a separate cage. This lowers stress and reduces the chance of spreading an infection. Wash your hands before and after handling each bird. ### Watch the Droppings Check the droppings every few hours. Note the color, consistency, and whether seeds are visible. Take a photo of anything unusual. This information helps your veterinarian. ### Do Not Try Home Remedies for the Crop Do not massage the crop. Do not give oil or vinegar. Do not try to make the bird vomit. These actions can cause aspiration, where food or liquid enters the airway. That can be fatal. If your budgie is showing signs of a respiratory problem along with the regurgitation, see [Budgie Respiratory Infection: Signs, Causes, and Urgent Care](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/budgie-respiratory-infection). If you also have a dog with coughing or gagging, the article [Why Is My Dog Coughing And Gagging And Throwing Up White Foam](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-coughing-and-gagging-and-throwing-up-white-foam) may help you sort out that separate problem. ## What the Veterinarian Will Check and Test Your veterinarian will start with a full history. They will ask when the regurgitation started, what the bird eats, whether it has a mate or mirror, and whether the droppings have changed. They will also ask about weight loss, breathing, and behavior. ### Physical Examination The veterinarian will examine the whole bird. They will look at the eyes, nares, beak, and feathers. They will feel the crop to check its size and contents. They will check the body condition to see if the bird is thin. They will listen to the heart and lungs. They will check the vent for signs of diarrhea or irritation. ### Crop and Dropping Tests The veterinarian may take a sample from the crop. This can be examined under a microscope to look for Trichomonas or yeast. A Gram stain can show bacteria. A fecal sample can be checked for undigested seeds, parasites, and other clues. ### Blood Tests Blood tests can show infection, anemia, and organ function. In budgies with going light, blood work can help tell megabacteria from Trichomonas. Birds with megabacteria had significant increases in white blood cells and heterophils, while birds with Trichomonas had normal white cell counts [1]. Some birds in both groups were anemic [1]. ### Imaging X-rays can show an enlarged proventriculus, a foreign body, or a blockage. Sometimes the veterinarian will use contrast material to watch how food moves through the digestive tract. This can help diagnose PDD or an obstruction. ### Viral Testing If PDD is suspected, the veterinarian may test for avian bornavirus. A study of pet psittacines found bornavirus RNA in crop and cloaca swabs and antibodies in serum [4]. Testing can help confirm the diagnosis, though a negative test does not always rule it out. ## Prevention and Monitoring You cannot prevent every cause of regurgitation. But you can lower the risk and catch problems early. ### Weigh Your Budgie Regularly A small kitchen scale works well. Weigh your budgie at the same time each week. Write down the number. A drop of 10 percent or more is a reason to call your veterinarian. Weight loss is often the first sign of illness in birds. ### Keep the Cage Clean Clean food and water dishes daily. Remove spoiled food right away. A dirty crop can lead to infections. Wash your hands before and after handling your bird. ### Offer a Balanced Diet Seeds alone are not a complete diet for budgies. Offer pellets, fresh vegetables, and a small amount of fruit. A balanced diet supports the immune system and helps the crop and digestive tract work normally. ### Limit Mirror Time if Regurgitation Is Excessive If your budgie regurgitates to a mirror all day, it may lose weight or become obsessed. Try removing the mirror for a few days. If the behavior stops and the bird stays healthy, the mirror was likely the trigger. If it continues, call your veterinarian. ### Quarantine New Birds If you bring a new bird home, keep it separate for at least 30 days. Watch for any signs of illness. Some viruses, including bornaviruses, can spread between birds [3][4]. Quarantine lowers the risk to your existing flock. ### Watch for Neurological Signs Bornavirus infection has been linked to neurological signs and feather-damaging behavior [4]. If your budgie develops a head tilt, tremors, or starts plucking feathers, see your veterinarian. These signs can have many causes, and early testing helps. If you keep other reptiles or exotic pets, the article [Ball Python Care: Regurgitation causes and refeeding protocol](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/exotic-small-animals/ball-python-care-regurgitation-causes-and-refeeding-protocol) covers a different species with a similar problem. For dogs with sudden coughing or gagging, see [Why Is My Dog Suddenly Coughing And Gagging](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/symptom-guides/why-is-my-dog-suddenly-coughing-and-gagging). ## Limitations and When to Contact a Veterinarian This article gives general information. It cannot tell you what is wrong with your specific budgie. Only a veterinarian who examines your bird can do that. Individual cases need a veterinarian. Call your veterinarian the same day if your budgie has a sour smell from the mouth, a crop that stays full, weight loss, or a change in droppings. Call immediately if the bird is fluffed on the cage floor, breathing hard, having seizures, or has stopped eating and passing droppings. If you are unsure, call anyway. It is better to be safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Is it normal for a budgie to regurgitate seeds? Yes, it can be normal. Bonding regurgitation is a common behavior in healthy budgies. The bird brings up a small amount of food to feed a mate, a mirror, or a favorite person. If the bird looks bright and active, it is usually not a concern. ### How can I tell regurgitation from vomiting in my budgie? Regurgitation is active and controlled. The bird pumps its neck and brings up food on purpose. Vomiting is passive and messy. Food flies out, often with head shaking, and the bird usually looks sick. A vomiting bird may have food stuck to its face and feathers. ### Can a crop infection cause a budgie to throw up whole seeds? Yes. A crop infection can cause inflammation and slow emptying. The bird may bring up seeds with mucus. A sour smell, crop swelling, and weight loss are common clues. Trichomonas gallinae is one parasite that can cause this in budgies. ### What does it mean if my budgie passes undigested seeds in its droppings? Undigested seeds in the droppings can be a sign of proventricular dilatation disease. In one survey, 21.9 percent of bornavirus-positive psittacines had undigested seeds in their feces. This is a serious sign and needs veterinary testing. ### Should I remove my budgie's mirror if it keeps regurgitating? If the regurgitation is frequent and the bird is losing weight, try removing the mirror for a few days. If the behavior stops and the bird stays healthy, the mirror was likely the trigger. If it continues, or if the bird looks unwell, call your veterinarian. ## Related Articles - [Budgie Respiratory Infection: Signs, Causes, and Urgent Care](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/budgie-respiratory-infection) - [Why Is My Parrot Throwing Up? Regurgitation vs Vomiting](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/parrot-throwing-up-vomiting) - [Why Is My Parrot Regurgitating? Normal or a Warning Sign](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/parrot-regurgitating-causes) - [Why Is My Parrot Nibbling Me or Regurgitating on Me?](/knowledge/veterinary-medicine/pet-bird-care/parrot-nibbling-regurgitating) - [Macrorhabdus ornithogaster (Megabacteriosis) in Budgerigars: Wasting Disease and Diagnosis](/knowledge/bacteria/avian-bacteria/macrorhabdus-ornithogaster-megabacteriosis-budgerigar-wasting-disease) ## References 1. [Haematological findings in budgerigars with megabacterium and Trichomonas infections associated with 'going light'](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3201696/). The Veterinary record, 1988. 2. [Molecular characteristics of Budgerigar fledgling disease polyomavirus detected from parrots in South Korea](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36038188/). Journal of veterinary science, 2022. 3. [Survey of bornaviruses in pet psittacines in Brazil reveals a novel parrot bornavirus](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25465670/). Veterinary microbiology, 2014. 4. [Correlation of avian bornavirus-specific antibodies and viral ribonucleic acid shedding with neurological signs and feather-damaging behaviour in psittacine birds](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30755457/). The Veterinary record, 2019. ## Further Reading - [Merck Veterinary Manual: Bird Owners](https://www.merckvetmanual.com/bird-owners)