Avian vets have a cute, tiny, tiny little scope they can put in the birds mouth that will let them see if he has a seed casing stuck (that is the most common), and if it is stuck than can pluck it out pretty quick. We had this done to one of our sun conures - it cost about $32 for the vet bill.
If it is something stuck - it can get infected or go so far down the windpipe it can enter the lungs and kill the bird.
Take it to the vet. You should be brining you bird in every year or two for a check up anyway. That - and since your bird was gone for awhile - you want the vet to also check for parasites.
Sick Budgie :( HELPPP i have this male budgie he is the best caring bird ever i love him he got lost like a year ago as my mum left the door open and as they say if you love something let it free and if it returns it was meant to be well guess what i got him back he was very very sick but recovered very quickly he just used to have like a problem breathing he would make this slight squeaking noise now and then its now been a year and not always but its getting more recent and worse like every night he is doing it really really loud and breathing very fast i can even hear it from the other room i cant sleep at night of how loud it is and i feel horible as i cant do anything he trys breathing and opens his beak this isnt always like during the day its less common i try to calm him down and sommetimes its works but rarely there are no bird vets around what should i do :( !?!?!?!
