Can someone explain what this body language means?

[Lazer]

I recently got this parrot and she seems to be getting used to my presence, now all of the sudden everytime she sees me she starts to do this and im not sure what it means.
Here is a video: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ozK3v9lNNldWX7vbuPJRdPwp9Y44Oxsc/view?usp=sharing

 

[CallumConure]

I'm not experienced enough to give you an answer other than it looks hormonal. Hopefully more experienced bird keepers will answer your question.

Also, is that her normal cage or is that a travel cage?

 

[Scott]

Hard to know in context. What happens when you try to handle her or put hands inside the cage?

 

[Lazer]

Also, is that her normal cage or is that a travel cage?

I got her from her previous owners about 5 days ago, and I'm pretty sure they used it as her normal cage. I'm planning on getting her a better cage very soon.

 

[Lazer]

Hard to know in context. What happens when you try to handle her or put hands inside the cage?

She has become more comfortable with me and is allowing me to pet her, she occasionally reaches to either bite or nibble on my hand but im not sure which it is so i pull away before she has the chance. I'm very new to this and still trying to learn their body language.

 

[munami]

Where are you petting her? Like what parts of the body? It should be head only.

 

[wrench13]

Head only scratches, and against the grain of feathers. Try NOT to jerk your hand away, because parrots use their beak to determine if a perch is solid and reliable, so will almost always mouth a finger, hand or new perch til they are sure. Jerking your hand away tells them 'Nope, not reliable'. You may get a small bite ( but if you own a parrot you WILL get bitten once or twice ). Try not to react if its a bitey. A head dipping and fluttering wings, for my amazon, means pick me up!

Read read read the Amazon Body Language secton on the Amazon sub forum. Several times. Out loud to your new parrot (Amazons love to be read to, in a soft and soothing voice). THen read it again. Also read the other stickie there which is INVALUABLE info on living with , feeding and caring for AMazon parrots ( others too, but mainly 'zons).

 

[wrench13]

AND TAKE YOUR TIME or rather THE BIRDS TIME. Dont rush things, do them at the parrots pace. Let her show you how fast to proceed. SOmetimes its 1 step forward, 2 steps back. Find her FAVORITE treat, thats the way to a parrots heart, thru the belly!

And ugh, get a bigger cage and some toys - that cage looks like its for cockateils or parakeets. Good Luck!!

 

[SailBoat]

Six seconds is a tiny look at a segment of body language.

To me, it appears that your parrot is not hating on you and more likely just a bit uncomfortable with life at the moment (fear of loss home, fear of new person).

Can you set the cage a bit higher. Kind of looks like you are in an over-lording position that may have your Amazon defensive.

Once again, six seconds does not a body language allow full understanding of its statement. But, your Amazon is not in Full, I'm going to kill you mode. And, that is always a good thing.
Regarding a new, much larger Amazon sized cage:
- Take a look at BirdCages4Less.com
- Target a cage with a full height door!!! You will love the access for cleaning, feeding, etc...
- Consider a cage with a top perch as it provides an additional perch area.
- Do Not Surprise Your Amazon with the Cage. Have the two boxes move into your Amazon's space over a couple of days. A day or two later (with your Amazon's help, if possible) take the boxes apart. Boxes = a toy of size for an Amazon! a day or two later, (with the help of your Amazon) assemble the cage. NOTE: I like to assemble the cage upside down on a large towel or two, which allows one to find screws, nuts, etc. that falls and you can turn it around with easy. Set the perch top on after it is turned right side up!
- The above process commonly will have your Amazon far more interested in moving it on that final day - as apposed to hating it!!!
- IMHO: Anytime an Amazon is part of the action, the better for everyone!

Enjoy!!!


FYI: Keep your Amazon off the Floor!!! Will cover this point in detail later!!!

 

[Kiwibird]

Is she a DNA confirmed female? Over the age of 4?

As others have said, 6 seconds is a short video but that right there looks like female amazon seductive/submissive behavior to me. I would not feed into this behavior by touching her (anywhere) when she does this. I would only scratch her neck and head if she extends the neck/head, as that is plutonic friend behavior (to your parrot). Petting her elsewhere sends mixed signals and can trigger hormonal issues. I grew up with a very, um, “free spirited” female amazon and that body language and noises is very similar to hers when she was being ms frisky bird.

 

[Scott]

Check this thread for Amazon body language tips: http://www.parrotforums.com/amazons/54250-amazon-body-language.html

 

[Birdmom12]

Ours does a more exaggerated version of this. We had her to see a behaviorist and we were told its a form of masturbation. Best to ignore it when it happens, turn away, act as if you never saw etc... They tend to do it when they get excited and excited can be from happy things or irritating things...

 

[Birdman666]

First little snippet is a hormonal amazon noise.

 

[noodles123]

Tail fanning can signal aggression or fear. You are very early on in your relationship and it is quite possible that your bird is wanting some space/protecting its cage (or that it is hormonal and protecting its cage because that sometimes happens too---especially with males, but not exclusively).
That having been said, without more, it is hard to know exactly. I second what everyone else said about 1. Taking things slow and 2. Head/neck pets ONLY. Any snuggles/stroking/ contact elsewhere on the body can signal hormones and send the bird the wrong idea about your relationship. Dark/shadowy spaces in or around the cage are also a big "no-no" as tunnels, huts, boxes, drawers, hammocks, under furniture, low ledges, under clothing, bedding, piles of paper etc can all stimulate hormones as well and hormones lead to health and behavioral problems in the long run.

 

[Birdman666]

Tail fanning, in and of itself, does not necessarily mean anything.

Tail fanning IN CONJUNCTION WITH territorial noises, plus the hunched over line of death dance thing... THAT is aggression.

Tail fanning can also mean HAPPY TO SEE YOU... or pick me up.

It can mean excitement. Which means it can mean OVER EXCITEMENT.

TAIL FANNING IN THIS CASE ACCOMPANIED BY HORMONAL NOISES, WHERE THE BIRD STICKS IT'S BUTT UP IN THE AIR... yeah. Shouldn't have to explain that one. That means "I'm really horny right now." Hormonal.

 

[noodles123]

Tail fanning, in and of itself, does not necessarily mean anything.

Tail fanning IN CONJUNCTION WITH territorial noises, plus the hunched over line of death dance thing... THAT is aggression.

Tail fanning can also mean HAPPY TO SEE YOU... or pick me up.

It can mean excitement. Which means it can mean OVER EXCITEMENT.

TAIL FANNING IN THIS CASE ACCOMPANIED BY HORMONAL NOISES, WHERE THE BIRD STICKS IT'S BUTT UP IN THE AIR... yeah. Shouldn't have to explain that one. That means "I'm really horny right now." Hormonal.

Thank you-- that is why I said "can signal aggression" (not "signals aggression"--followed by, it is hard to know without seeing more). I didn't mean for my statement to sound absolute. That having been said, you did a much better job of explaining it than I did (despite my intentions). The hormonal part seems to be apparent to both of us, so I guess I didn't totally bomb my response.

 

[Birdman666]

Don't take anything I said the wrong way.

I took what you were saying and expanded on it.

With zon body language you look for combinations of actions, and that gives you a pretty clear picture of what the bird is trying to tell you.

 

[MykaMom]

she seems threatened to me, but there's no context for the behavior. coming over her head like that may be scaring her. Try and raise her up so she's on eye level, not above, you. Amazons growl when threatened.

 

[PickleMeDickles]

I think your bird is randy. It may also be defensive due to the “newness” of your relationship and/or your overhead approach. Or that could just be her normal body position during this phase of, er, foreplay. SassyByrd displays this identical behavior (plus has added more vocal and body movements) whenever we were having a moment with a soft blanket involved. Apparently our “moment” meant something different to the Sass. SassyByrd can be quite the little vixen!
I have to be careful of our environment and very watchful on how and where I touch her. It’s always so much easier to prevent a potential disaster (really crappy new behaviors which you allowed to happen) than having to spend a lifetime correcting it!