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Birds--General/why do afri8can greys bob there heads

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Expert: - 8/13/2006


Question
we have a grey african parrot.timnah] why we have a grey he is three and a half old  he . we got him thru a rescue program we have had him about three  months . he is very loving thru  all yhe  hell he  went  throug. why do they always nod  there head when you are talking to  him.  he  moves  his   head up and down real fast.  it  would be nice to find out  thank you garrett moore  

Answer
Hi, Garrett.  Thanks for posting.

Your post didn't come through very well...is this bird 3 1/2 YEARS or MONTHS old?  Does s/he cry/whine when bobbing it's head?  

If this bird is still a baby, s/he is bobbing it's head when you talk or get near or touch it because it's begging to be fed (handfed by a human or from it's parents).  This is what baby birds do when they are asking for food!  

If this bird is 3 1/2 years old and is bobbing it's head like this, I'd say something very traumatic has happened to s/he and s/he has regressed mentally to a much younger age and/or it could be that when s/he is frightened/stressed, the bird finds comfort in being handfed and is begging.

Sounds to me like this is a baby grey who is begging to be handfed with a handfeeding syringe and baby parrot handfeeding formula.  

If you can provide more details, I might be able to help more.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys Meatyard

Expertise

I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.

Experience

Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.

Publications
I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.

Education/Credentials
American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.

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