Can birds hiccup?

Question

I've had birds for years, and I've watched all of them do this behavior that looks like they have the hiccups. In fact, I'm watching my cockatiel do this right now. About every 5 to 10 seconds, he'll stretch his neck out and open his mouth as wide as he can, then bring his head back in. He doesn't make any noise while he does this, and it usually lasts for a few minutes. He doesn't act like he's in pain or is stressed out.

It appears to be an involuntary (like the hiccups are for humans) because he'll be trying to preen himself and will keep being interrupted by this neck-stretch hiccup. What is he doing?

Answer 1

all birds do this, it is very common.  They stretch and enlarge their throat to clear their crop of old seed.  When birds eat, they do not just pick up one seed and eat it completely. They will often hold several small seeds in their crop and then eat them a bit later.  Then they clean their throats. Some times a smaller seed will get nested in there and they have to stretch and enlarge to get it free

Answer 2

omg no way the person who said they are clearing there throat ive never known that b4 sooo crazy

Answer 3

They gasp for air.  They really don't hiccup.  My parakeet used to do the same thing.  Its just gasping for air and not the hiccups.

Answer 4

http://www.cockatielcottage.net/question...

go to this site then down to why cockatiels stretch their necks :)