Why is my budgie's tail bobbing?

[LMan98]

My 8 month old budgie is bobbing his tail when he breathes heavily. Such as when I approach him too fast, he starts breathing really fast and his tail bobs up and down. other than this, he isn't experiencing anything unusual like labored breathing or any signs of an illness.

 

[Ingenarel]

You first have to understand what is tail bobbing.

Unlike people, birds lack a diaphragm that separates the chest cavity from the stomach. The muscles located at the base of the tail help birds breathe by playing a part in expanding their lungs for air intake.

If a bird is having trouble breathing, the tail muscles work harder, causing the tail to bob up and down.

If it's a slight tail bobbing, it's fine. It's not actually tail bobbing, it helps the budgies to keep balance and stay in the perch.

BUT, when it's a bigger one, like this one:

you have a respiratory illness, contact the vet ASAP

 

[LMan98]

ok, thanks for the info!