There are a few potential reasons why your bird may be shaking its neck. Some of the most common causes include:
Molting
Molting is the process where birds shed old feathers and grow new ones. This usually happens 1-2 times per year. During the molt, birds will often shake their necks to loosen old feathers and help new pin feathers emerge. The molting process can cause irritation and itchiness, leading to increased neck shaking.
Preening
Birds preen to clean and maintain their feathers. Preening involves using the beak to distribute oils across the feathers to keep them flexible and waterproof. Birds may shake their necks during preening to fluff up their feathers and spread the preen oil. Increased preening and neck shaking can indicate a skin irritation or infestation with parasites like mites or lice.
Adjusting feathers
Birds will sometimes shake their necks to settle their feathers into place. After activity like flying or bathing, the feathers can become ruffled. A quick neck shake helps smooth everything down neatly again. This is normal grooming behavior.
Stretching
Stretching the neck muscles is important for birds’ health and mobility. Shaking the neck from side to side and up and down helps fully stretch the muscles and tissue. Daily stretching strengthens the neck and prevents stiffness or injury.
Predator reflex
Birds may rapidly shake their necks as an instinctual reflex when startled. In the wild, this reflex helps them spot potential predators lurking nearby. Shaking helps bring the surroundings into focus so the bird can look for dangers. This reflex may still occur in domesticated birds exposed to loud noises or other sudden stimuli.
Nervous behavior
Some birds shake their necks when they get excited or anxious. Parrots, for example, often exhibit neck shaking when they are bored, frustrated, or want attention. The shaking may be accompanied by other behaviors like pacing, screaming, or feather plucking. This usually indicates psychological distress.
Neurological issues
Uncontrolled neck shaking can sometimes stem from neurological disorders in birds. One example is calcium deficiency, which causes muscle spasms and tremors. Other conditions like vitamin deficiencies, tumors, strokes, or toxicity can also lead to abnormal neck shaking. Veterinary examination helps diagnose medical causes.
When is neck shaking normal?
Most of the time, neck shaking is completely normal bird behavior. Here are examples of ordinary neck shaking:
- Shaking a few times during preening and grooming
- Shaking when feathers are ruffled after flying or bathing
- Stretching the neck muscles with light shaking
- A few shakes during the molting period
- Occasional shaking when excited or alarmed
As long as the shaking is intermittent and your bird appears relaxed and healthy otherwise, there is little cause for concern.
When is neck shaking abnormal?
Excessive or continuous neck shaking can signify an underlying issue. Watch for these abnormal shaking behaviors:
- Constant shaking that lasts for more than a few minutes
- Uncontrolled and repetitive shaking motions
- Shaking paired with other symptoms like screaming, lethargy, or self-harm
- Sudden increase in the frequency of neck shaking
- Twitching, tremors, loss of balance, or other neurological signs
If your bird exhibits persistent, forceful, or asymmetric neck shaking, contact an avian veterinarian right away. This can indicate a health problem requiring prompt medical care.
What causes abnormal neck shaking?
Here are some potential causes of abnormal neck shaking in birds:
External parasites
Mites, lice, fleas, and other parasites can live on a bird’s skin and feathers. Their movement and biting creates intense itching and discomfort. A bird will violently shake in an attempt to dislodge the parasites. Look for small bugs crawling on your bird’s body. Your vet can prescribe appropriate parasiticides.
Allergies
Birds can develop environmental allergies to things like dust, pollen, mold, and chemicals in the home. These allergies make the skin extremely itchy and inflamed. The bird shakes to relieve the sensation. Try to identify and remove potential allergens and talk to your vet about anti-allergy medications.
Infections
Bacterial and fungal skin infections also create irritation under the feathers. This discomfort and inflammation leads to aggravated neck shaking as the bird tries to soothe itself. Infections require medication like antibiotics or antifungals based on a veterinarian’s examination.
Feather plucking
Feather destructive behavior and self-mutilation causes bald patches on the neck area. The abnormal exposed skin is prone to sensitivity. Birds pluck at these areas then shake their necks vigorously in response to the irritation. Address the root psychological cause of the feather damage first.
Nutritional deficiency
Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals can cause neuropathy. Lack of calcium, vitamin E, selenium, or other nutrients shows up as tremors, spasms, and uncoordinated shaking motions. Have your vet run blood work to identify deficiencies.
Heavy metal poisoning
Ingesting lead, zinc, copper, or other heavy metals can impair neurological functioning. Birds often have access to metals in cage fixtures, paint, batteries, jewelry, or toys. These materials cause toxic buildup in the body over time, leading to seizures, tremors, and abnormal neck twisting. Diagnostic blood work helps detect elevated metal levels.
Trauma or injury
Any trauma to the head, neck, or spine can damage the nervous system and cause unusual shaking. Examples include concussions, whiplash, nerve impingement, or fractures from crashing into objects in the cage. X-rays, MRI, or CT scans are needed to assess structural damage.
Brain tumor
Tumors in the brain or skull can press on nerves and impede brain signals. This disruption manifests as tremors, seizures, loss of coordination, and head bobbing or weaving. Onset of these neurological symptoms tends to be gradual. MRI aids in diagnosing tumors in birds.
What to do if your bird shakes its neck
If your bird starts exhibiting abnormal neck shaking, take these steps:
- Isolate the bird in a calm environment to minimize stress.
- Observe shaking episodes and make notes about duration, frequency, triggers, and accompanying symptoms.
- Check the bird for signs of external parasites or skin infections.
- Review any recent diet or environment changes.
- Schedule an avian veterinarian exam right away.
- Follow vet recommendations for lab work, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up care.
- Avoid handling the bird excessively until the shaking resolves.
With prompt veterinary attention and proper treatment, most cases of neck shaking can be successfully managed. Some chronic conditions like neurological disease may require lifelong management.
How is abnormal neck shaking treated?
Treatment depends on the underlying cause but may include:
Medications
– Antibiotics for bacterial infections
– Antifungals for fungal infections
– Parasiticides for external parasites
– Anti-inflammatories and steroids for allergies
– Anticoagulants and calcium supplements for nutritional imbalances
Environmental changes
– Sanitizing the cage to remove allergens and parasites
– Removing possible heavy metal sources
– Adding enrichment toys to reduce boredom and stress
Supportive care
– Fluids, nutritional support, and warming during treatment
– Bandaging wounds caused by self-mutilation
– Handfeeding if head shaking impedes eating
– Physical therapy to strengthen neck muscles
Surgery
– Biopsy or removal of tumors if present
– Repairing fractures or correcting spinal misalignments
– Implanting deep brain stimulators to reduce seizures
How to prevent neck shaking
You can reduce episodes of abnormal neck shaking by:
- Feeding a balanced diet with all essential vitamins and nutrients
- Avoiding potential toxins and heavy metals
- Providing abundant enrichment toys and interaction
- Keeping the bird’s environment clean and eliminating dust
- Treating any parasites quickly to prevent infestations
- Having regular wellness exams with an avian vet
- Training the bird to tolerate gentle restraint to minimize injury risk
While occasional neck shaking is inevitable, following these precautions helps keep your bird healthy and happy. Monitor your bird closely and seek veterinary guidance at the first sign of any abnormal shaking behavior. With prompt care, most birds make a full recovery and maintain excellent quality of life.
FAQs
Why does my bird shake his head back and forth?
Head shaking side to side is most often normal grooming and feather adjustment. It may also occur due to skin irritations, nervousness, muscle stretching, or predator alerts. Abnormal repetitive, forceful shaking can indicate a medical problem.
Why is my bird shaking her head up and down?
Nodding or shaking the head up and down is less common but usually benign. Reasons include working food down the throat, realigning neck vertebrae, showing excitement, or displaying courtship behaviors. Seek vet advice if this motion seems uncontrolled.
Should I take my bird’s neck shaking seriously?
Mild, occasional shaking during grooming or molting is not serious. However, pronounced, frequent shaking episodes always warrant medical investigation to rule out underlying health issues. Don’t ignore dramatic changes in your bird’s head shaking habits.
Can shaking injure my bird’s neck?
Yes, uncontrolled head flapping or twisting can lead to whiplash, muscle strains, pinched nerves, or even fractures in the neck. Restrain the bird gently using towels if necessary until you can see a vet. Prevent self-injury.
What tests check for neck shaking causes?
Vets may conduct parasite skin scrapings, bacterial/fungal cultures, blood work, biopsies, imaging (x-rays, CT, MRI), EEG to measure nerve activity, and inner ear or neurological exams. This helps diagnose many underlying shake triggers.
Conclusion
Neck shaking in birds has many potential causes. Mild shaking during grooming or molting is usually normal. But pronounced, frequent, or irregular shaking requires prompt veterinary attention. With proper diagnosis and treatment, abnormal neck shaking often resolves allowing your bird to thrive. Monitor your bird closely, document symptoms, and don’t delay seeking veterinary care if head shaking becomes a concern. With supportive care and follow up, most birds fully recover and continue being active, beloved pets.