Toe-tapping is a twitching movement where the bird extends and contracts the toes of one foot intermittently. They do this while at rest letting the front toenail hit against the perch which makes the tapping sound.
These movements are often accompanied by wing flipping – a quick flicking of the feathers without fully spreading them.
Toe-tapping is most commonly seen in electus parrots though other species can be affected as well.
Generally, toe-tapping behaviors do not progressively worsen like a health condition. It is also unrelated to the development of other diseases.
However, in some cases where the parrot shows multiple symptoms in addition to toe-tapping, it can be a nerve-related problem. If the parrot experiences spasmodic episodes frequently, it should be examined by a vet.
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What Causes Toe Tapping In Parrots?
Toes tapping can be caused by dietary issues, environmental factors, or both. The following are the most common reasons for toe-tapping in parrots:
Calcium Deficiency
A calcium deficiency is a common reason for toe-tapping in parrots. It is hard to detect the signs of a calcium deficiency without proper blood work and diagnosis from a vet.
If the parrot is indeed deficient in calcium, it can be corrected by raising the daily calcium intake from its diet. There are many calcium-rich foods available as well as natural supplements like cuttlefish bone.
These are the foods high in calcium that a parrot can eat:
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Brussels
- Eggs (with powered eggshells)
- Almonds
All-Seed Diet
A parrot would most likely be deficient in a number of vital nutrients if it were on a seed-only diet. Diets that are primarily seed-based are known to cause various health problems for parrots and are often advised against by experts.
According to the National Library Of Medicine Vitamin A deficiency is often a result of feeding a seed-based diet. Seeds contain some nutritional value, but they do not fulfill all dietary requirements on their own for your parrot. So while it is okay to feed seeds to your parrot, it should not make up a large portion of their diet.
Medications
In some cases, toe-tapping can occur when the parrot is on a certain type of medication. Certain medications can have side effects that affect the bird’s behavior, including causing toe-tapping. However, when the parrot heals and no longer takes that medicine, the issue can resolve within a few days.
It does not necessarily cause any harm to the parrot but It is important to closely monitor any changes in a parrot’s behavior when introducing new medications and consult a veterinarian for guidance.
Oversupplementation Of Vitamins
Adding too many vitamin supplements to the parrot’s diet may also cause toe-tapping. People often give parrots vitamin supplements along with their regular diet, which is a good practice. However, supplement overdose can lead to nutritional imbalances.
If the excessive vitamin supplementation is stopped, the problem usually goes away. Sometimes, reducing the amount of formulated diet or switching to a different brand may also work.
Spirulina is another powdered supplement for parrots. It is also a common ingredient in most pellets. Although it has numerous health benefits, spirulina is not well tolerated by many parrot species, most especially eclectus parrots. Spirulina has been linked to causing toe-tapping behaviors in parrots.
Heavy Metal Poisoning
When a parrot ingests a heavy metal like lead or zinc, its body is unable to eliminate the toxins. As a result, these heavy metals accumulate in the parrot’s system over time and lead to various health issues and toxic effects on the bird’s internal organs. Muscle twitching and leg spasms are some of the symptoms of heavy metal toxicosis.
In extreme cases, it can also lead to seizures. However, it is important to note that heavy metal can be a serious condition that can worsen over time. It is not directly related to toe-tapping, so it is better to take your parrot to a vet for diagnosis.
How To Treat Toe Tapping In Parrots?
There are different possible causes for toe-tapping, such as nerve inflammation after a viral infection, lack of certain nutrients, or lead poisoning. In most cases, toe-tapping resolves when the trigger is addressed, so the primary focus needs to be identifying and removing the cause of toe-tapping.
Remove Unhealthy Food From The Diet
The majority of causes for toe-tapping are dietary in origin. So to effectively address toe-tapping, the best way is to focus on providing a nutritious diet and removing foods that are harmful or of low nutritional value.
A typical healthy diet for parrots includes pellets, vegetables, and fruits. However, sometimes toe-tapping can occur due to food intolerance and even allergies to certain types of pellets.
Pellets that have spirulina as an ingredient should be avoided as well as other foods that the parrot may not do well with.
It is recommended to only provide the parrot with organic whole foods like fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. Remove foods that may contain additives and preservatives. Do not give the parrot junk items or processed food. Also, read the label of each organic food to make sure it is free from harmful chemicals
Until the parrot recovers from the condition fully, do not put it back on the standard pelleted diet. Also, consult with an avian veterinarian about what a healthy diet for your parrot should include going forward.
Aloe Detox Formula
The aloe detox formula is very effective in flushing out harmful toxins from the parrot’s body and supporting its gut health. It can help to remove the causative agent that may be causing the toe-tapping.
Mix one part aloe detox formula in your parrot’s water bowl. Alternatively, you can also feed them the formula using a syringe if they’re not drinking their water. This will eliminate the toxins from the parrot’s body following which the toe-tapping should cease within a few days.
Stress-Free Environment
Stress may not be the primary cause of toe-tapping in parrots but it can worsen the condition. During situations like this, it is essential to keep the parrot in a calm and secure environment. While you are addressing the root cause of the problem, try to keep the parrot away from stressful situations.
Ensuring the parrot gets adequate and quality sleep is also crucial in reducing stress and helping it recover. Also, establishing a consistent daily routine for feeding, playing, and sleeping can help further in managing stress for the parrot.
