Coughing and sneezing are common human behaviors, but have you ever heard a bird cough? While you may not have seen this unusual occurrence take place, it does happen, and there are a variety of reasons why.

Continue reading to learn why birds cough, whether it is a sign of illness, and if these feathered creatures can mimic the sounds of a human.

Why Would A Bird Cough?

We see birds all around us; they are a part of our natural environment, and we can find them in various habitats. Still, they are very different from human beings, and the way their bodies work is pretty unique. It is not uncommon to hear a bird coughing. But what causes a bird to cough?

The reasons for a bird coughing are varied, but in general, it may be due to an irritation or infection in the respiratory tract. The most common cause is when a small feather gets stuck in their throat, and they can’t swallow it. This causes them to cough until they either manage to swallow the feather or spit it out.

There are also other reasons for coughing, such as: swallowing too much water, eating foreign material, and air pollution. Birds may also cough when they feel stressed due to things like overcrowded environments or when they are traumatized by sudden noises or events. And a bird could cough to clear its throat or to make noise to attract a mate.

A bird’s cough sounds quite different to a humans, as it is more like a chirp than a cough. The reason why their cough sounds so different is that, unlike humans, birds do not possess a diaphragm.

Can A Bird Sneeze And Cough?

The respiratory system of birds is different from humans. The air sacs in their lungs allow them to breathe more efficiently, while their trachea has a series of valve-like flaps (spiracles) that close underwater to prevent water from entering their lungs. Birds also have feathers covering their nostrils, preventing water from getting inside.

A long, thin tube runs from the nostrils to the upper beak. When a bird sneezes, it forces air through this tube. This is why you see them shake their heads back and forth when they sneeze.

Like humans, birds can also sneeze and cough through allergies; in some cases, the bird may develop an accompanying skin rash. Knowledge around bird allergies is limited, with research currently being undertaken. Still, it seems as though parrots may experience more allergic reactions than the average bird; they can be sensitive to several items such as peanuts, wheat, and sulfur.

Can Birds Imitate A Cough?

For humans, coughing is a reflexive action that is involuntary and cannot be controlled. Coughing is triggered by irritation of the airway or lungs, such as when we are sick or inhale a substance that irritates the airway. Birds are known to mimic human sounds, and some birds, like the mockingbird, can imitate a car engine, a barking dog, or even human coughs.

Whether birds can imitate human sounds has been debated for centuries. Some argue that the sounds birds make result from their natural calls and not imitations. Others believe that some birds can imitate human speech, but only if they have a lot of contact with humans.

However, research does show evidence of bird imitation. In one study, scientists found that parrots could produce speech sounds similar to humans. The researchers also found that when they played recordings of these sounds back to the parrots, they would repeat them in an attempt to reproduce them.

Another study found evidence for imitation in budgies by observing their responses to hearing their own or other voices through speakers or headphones.

Is Coughing A Sign That A Bird Has A Cold?

Coughing is not always a sign of a cold. Other causes include conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, or bronchitis. A bird coughing could be a sign that the bird is sick. It could indicate that they have a respiratory infection, and it could also mean that they have pneumonia. A bird coughing could also indicate the presence of an air sac infection in the lungs.

Birds have a variety of vocalizations, and coughing is one of them. The sound of a bird coughing is usually associated with an injury or illness. It can also be caused by the bird eating something it shouldn’t have, such as a toxic plant.

It is important to note that when birds cough, they are not making any noise. They are simply contracting the muscles in their throat to force air out of the lungs and make a sound similar to what we would hear if we were trying to clear our throats.

Summary

Birds do cough, most commonly as a sign of illness or injury. If you hear a bird coughing, it’s most likely that it has a feather stuck in its throat or swallowed a foreign object. A one-off cough is not a big deal, but a repetitive cough could signal something is wrong.

References

Coughing Parrot? – Pet Birds by Lafeber Co.

Allergies in Birds (dakotahillsveterinary.com)