Amazon weird question

[Jenilyn]

I have a yellow nape Amazon. She is approx 5-6 years old. She will sit on me or on a table or anything make these strange noises and claw into me and spread her back feathers. I honestly feel like what she is doing is like a sexual type behavior for her. It kinda freaks me out. I have searched Internet and all I really can find is info about them reaching sexual maturity but nothing to the extent I'm talking about. I'm hoping this will soon stop. Anyone seen this before? Help!

And ps.... I really don't know if she is female. She has not had dna text. She is just the pronoun we use.

 

[Kiwibird]

Sounds more male sexual behavior to me, but it definitely sounds hormonal. She's the right age to hit puberty too. I'd suggest you look into amazon hormonal behavior to get a better idea of what to expect and how to work with her through these difficult first few years. Knowing what is happening, what to expect and how to deal with it will be your key to successfully working with her and keeping her a wonderful companion. I won't lie, those first few years of sexual maturity are rough with a zon, but not impossible. If you can make it through puberty, then they really mellow out after the first few years of hormones

 

[Jenilyn]

Thank you so much. I did a little search and a lot of the behaviors are the same. Especially increased vocalization. I got her from someone who had a child and she literally cries just like a baby. I hope that trait subsides as well once she is mature. It's tuff but I love her. I know she just wants attention. But I promise within me holding her for 5 min she starts the noises etc. its been going on a while I just wanted to get the answers tonight. Hopefully this won't last forever!

 

[labell]

Hormonal season for zon's has gone on a little more than normal this year it seems. This is also the case with other members that I know have Amazons and I know personally for my hussy of a gal.

I agree with Kiwibird that the behavior you are referring to also sounds more like what a male zon does. I also agree that if your bird is indeed a male it's best to start doing your research now on what to expect over the next few years. Once they hit sexual maturity spring through early summer can be a trying time but it does get better. You will also get better at reading your birds moods and avoid aggression. One of the great things about zon's is if you get bit it is because you weren't paying attention. They will typically give you ample warning that they are in over load and at those times you don't try to force the issue with an amazon unless you are looking to get nailed. :54:

 

[Amanda_Bennett]

Seems like the hormonal season started back in December but hasn't ended yet! Zilla is calming down a little, but she is still a bit hormonal at times.

 

[Kiwibird]

Thank you so much. I did a little search and a lot of the behaviors are the same. Especially increased vocalization. I got her from someone who had a child and she literally cries just like a baby. I hope that trait subsides as well once she is mature. It's tuff but I love her. I know she just wants attention. But I promise within me holding her for 5 min she starts the noises etc. its been going on a while I just wanted to get the answers tonight. Hopefully this won't last forever!

Unfortunately, this is the BEGINNING birdie equivalent to the teen years (and lasts just as long!). You basically have a small teenager with the mental capacity of a 2 year old and a big beak and you need to keep that comparison in mind when she is acting up. All bird owners go through this, so you have a lot of support on here Some things you can start ASAP:

-Consistent sleep/wake cycle with reduced "light" hours (in the future, it will be the light that triggers the annual hormonal surges, but she'll be hormonal for a few year straight as it is the onset of puberty).

-Reduce fruit and up low-sugar veggies in the diet. Sugar can exacerbate hormonal behavior

-Increase chewing/shredding and foraging toys. She can take out her "aggression" (or maybe more:54 on the toys instead of you (and it will keep her occupied).

-Do NOT pet her anywhere besides the head. Everywhere else is "sensual" to a horny parrot.

-React as little as possible to sexual advances and/or behaviors (as not to accidentally encourage it). You can even physically turn and walk away or distract her with something else (like a toy).

-If she is indeed a female (which it doesn't sound like, but possibly), well, theres just no nice way to say it- female amazons masturbate, loudly and without shame. Ignore this behavior COMPLETELY. Don't try to stop her, as it is natural and not a "bad" behavior per se, but don't pay any attention to it as not to encourage her to do it more frequently

-If "she" is in fact a male (what I suspect based on your description), expect more aggression. Stick training would be a good idea (males are sometimes so overly stimulated or hormonal they need to ride a stick instead of on the hand to prevent a bite). Males do not tend to masturbate, but do do a little mating dance where they hump the air and grunt (or occasionally, hump a human, toy or whatevers close). Ignore this behavior too.

-Regardless of gender, read this thread, then read it again, then again until you understand the blatant, universal body language of the mighty amazon
http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/54250-amazon-body-language.html
If you see "aggressive" behavior, back off. Use a stick for transport if you must. 99% of the time they are super awesome birds, but every so often they really get a bug up their butt and need special handling less you want to get bit, hard