AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question Our Parrot, Shrek has started sitting in his/her food dish on and off maybe a couple times a day and making these really weird noises almost like purring with a little whining added. It is not loud, but I am wondering do they sometimes do this when trying to lay an egg? I don't know if the bird is male or female. Thanks for any input. Shrek is eating well and seems active. We have had Shrek for about 3 years, but it was a found bird so don't know its' age. Mostly all yellow head, though. Candace
Answer Birds don’t actually go into a ‘heat’, but they sure do engage in some similar behaviors once they’re sexually mature. Some of these signs are first noted by a change of mood, becoming more nippy, protective of their territory (cage), less vocalizations (or more) and possibly preferring one owner over the one who might have, until this point, felt they were the favorite.
Males tend to rub forward against a perch or object, being particularly attracted to a mirror or anything he might catch a glimpse of a very pretty bird in (himself).
Females might back up against objects while holding their heads down and making different noises, clucks, chortles or purrs. When you reach to touch or pick up the bird they may lift their wing and try to tuck you underneath, they may nip or actually bite (‘beaking’) and in both males and females, there may be human or object regurgitation (they will attempt to feed someone or something. )
This is different from vomiting. Regurgitation is pumping their heads, then opening the beak and purposefully depositing partially digested food on or near the object of their affection. Vomiting involves an involuntary movement that often results in a sticky, stringy substance and the bird shaking their heads side to side as if trying to get something off of them. Vomiting is a serious symptom and should be addressed as an emergency or urgent care visit to an avian or avian experienced vet.
In both sexes you may notice a slight dropping of the wings during the actions of moving up or back on an object.
Individual birds find sometimes unique ways to simulate mating. I’ve seen a female parrot look like she’s sitting in a food bowl, possibly laying an egg, making a grunting noise that caused me great concern. Instead of egg laying though, she was backing her vent up to the inside of the bowl.
Steps you must undertake to be sure you aren’t encouraging mating behavior begin with how you handle or interact with your bird. Once they are ‘mature’, you shouldn’t be touching below the upper to mid-back and avoid ‘beaking’ (kissing or gentle tugs on the bird’s beak). Never feed a bird from your own mouth (in all cases this is just very dangerous since the bacteria in our mouths may cause serious health events in a bird).
You might want to increase their nighttime hours to 13 or even 14 sleep instead of 12+12.
Another option is to move things around inside the cage. Change out toys, switch perches, rearrange feeding and water cups - make it look 'new' . Even moving the actual location a little bit can help.
Other precautions are to not pet under the wings or touch consistently from the mid-back down (this can trigger egg laying in females).
No feeding from your mouth, which is just a good idea anyway since we have far too much bacteria there to be safe for a bird.
No feeding soft foods from your fingers which may be perceived as regurgitation, another mating behavior.
