What's he doing

Owlet · Nov 23, 2016

Lincoln likes to sit atop his cage, stare at my window, and kind of flaps his wings without really opening them? From what I was told he never flew before despite never being clipped, but I'm worried he might actually try to fly at my window and get hurt. I have a video if my description doesn't work xD

If he is trying to do something flight related how can I get him to not focus on the window of all things

Loko · Nov 23, 2016

Im not sure if youre describing wing flipping, which ekkies are prone to. A video would definitely help, or you can search "wing flipping" and toe tapping". Is it accompanied by a "toe tap"? If so, it could mean hes not on the best diet, but eclectus owners will hop in and inform you better on this.

I see on the other thread it seems you are feeding him well, so it could be his past diet and it may subside with the new one. Are you feeding him pellets as well?

Owlet · Nov 23, 2016

As of now he's not in pellets.. should I serve pellets along with the fruits and vegis? I'll upload the video now but it might take a few minutes to fully upload.

Owlet · Nov 23, 2016

[ame="https://youtu.be/gjwI6u6KlKA"]Questionable behaviour - YouTube[/ame]

Loko · Nov 23, 2016

Thats not what I was referring to, luckily. Thats the, I"m about to fly" move. Most birds do that while considering taking flight. You can bring him up to the window and let him touch it with his beak so he understands that theres something there, or put something over it.
And like I said Im not well versed with ekkies but I know people do leave pellets out in case the bird gets hungry between feedings or just as extra.

Owlet · Nov 23, 2016

He doesn't trust me yet, he's still cautious so unfortunately he won't step up or anything.

chris-md · Nov 23, 2016

This has an almost unvoluntary quality to the quivering, like Parkinson's shakes. Parker does stoop down like that when contemplating flying (he never does but he's thinking about it). But he doesn't drop his wings and flip them like that.

I'm a bit lost on this one, hopefully someone who knows more will speak up. I have a visceral reaction that says it may not be normal but is fixable (e.g. vitamin deficiency). Show this video to your vet when you bring him to get an official opinion.

plumsmum2005 · Nov 23, 2016

Have you tried offering another perch to step onto when he does this?

It possibly looks like he is considering something and then changing his mind.

Owlet · Nov 23, 2016

plumsmum2005 said:
Have you tried offering another perch to step onto when he does this?

It possibly looks like he is considering something and then changing his mind.

Next time I see him do this I'll try it, thank you!

Violet_Diva · Nov 23, 2016

I was just going to create a thread and ask about this exact same action! Then I saw this thread and thought I'd have a look first and I'm glad I did!

Dexter seemingly does this when he's asking me to feed him. I call it the "feed me dance". I was wondering if anyone else's ekkies did it. It's the same wing manoeuvre my baby pigeons would do when they wanted feeding, so I just figured it was probably the same thing.

If someone else knows otherwise please chime in.

Personally, I think he looks like he was thinking about flying, but then indicates he's hungry. So maybe he was thinking about looking for food? Just my take on it, but I'm no expert! Is there anything outside the window that looks lush or edible?

GaleriaGila · Nov 23, 2016

If you do let him fly... One of my usual suggestions.
Recommended to me in the early days... "wall and window training"... taking the bird around to walls and windows, and encouraging them to tap or at least experience the situation, so they can see that walls are WALLS and windows are HARD AIR. Has worked for us.
Demonstration... it's also a cute "trick".
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jF1lyE72pOs"]Scene 4 - Hotel Rickeybird - YouTube[/ame]
Also, agreeing... he's thinking about flying.
Hey, I have that EXACT SAME cage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Owlet · Nov 23, 2016

Violet_Diva said:
I was just going to create a thread and ask about this exact same action! Then I saw this thread and thought I'd have a look first and I'm glad I did!

Dexter seemingly does this when he's asking me to feed him. I call it the "feed me dance". I was wondering if anyone else's ekkies did it. It's the same wing manoeuvre my baby pigeons would do when they wanted feeding, so I just figured it was probably the same thing.

If someone else knows otherwise please chime in.

Personally, I think he looks like he was thinking about flying, but then indicates he's hungry. So maybe he was thinking about looking for food? Just my take on it, but I'm no expert! Is there anything outside the window that looks lush or edible?

Some might consider snow lush and edible

plumsmum2005 · Nov 23, 2016

Yes agree with Violet_Diva that there does appear to be an element of begging as well as the wing flip. Perhaps offer him something tasty as well? Good luck.

Scott · Nov 23, 2016

This looks much like a "come pick me up right now" behavior. Context is important; have you seen this from behind him or is it generally when you are in the room. Can you pick him up and observe this? I would think an attempt to fly would be more of a demonstrative wing-flap.

Owlet · Nov 23, 2016

I can't pick him up, he won't let me as of now since I just got him on monday. I haven't observed it from behind though, I'm usually in bed (which is right next to the window) or when I was filming it.

Violet_Diva · Nov 23, 2016

I believe the initial lowering of his head was the indication of an intention to travel (I presumed pre-flight stance) but this may be him wanting to be picked up (as suggested by Scott).

I really do believe the little wing flutters to be a, feed me or 'begging' (as plumsmum2005 said).

I have a couple of clips of one of my pigeon babies doing the wing flutters to ask to be fed...

...and I'll see if I can get a video if Dexter doing it too...

If he wasn't hungry, I'd go for the wanting to be picked up theory suggested by Scott. So maybe next time you could try offering your arm as a perch to see if he'd step up onto it? (I'd suggest keeping your arm sleeved just incase he tests the solidity of the arm perch with his beak a bit too hard!) - Better safe than sorry! <- But definitely have a couple of tasty treats in your other hand ready to immediately offer as reward if he does step up and the other one to reward when he steps off!

Owlet · Nov 23, 2016

I've tried offering my arm as a perch and he's poked at it with his beak but is still too nervous to perch on me. Regardless I'll offer my arm and some food next time

What's he doing

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A long time plucker

Coming out of shell but scared?

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