Dancing or neuro condition? Please help😕

[Pabloalex91]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum & have recently brought home 3 weeks ago a 5 month old Alexandrine. We’ve been getting along just fine & he is starting target training with a stick & is also eating out of my hand with caution as he is not tame at all so shocked already about this, however he has bitten me once quite hard whilst he was on the target stick I was holding! Since we got him he has been doing exaggerated head movements that extend to his back, going round in almost like a figure of 8? I thought he was dancing as he tends to do this a lot whilst hanging upside down in his cage but also on his perch. Is this something to be concerned about, it’s almost like he can’t stop but will if you distract him enough. I’ve read a lot about stargazing and all sorts of neurological conditions but just wondered if anyone else’s birds does this? I’ll try upload a video very soon as he has now stopped & just settled for the evening. If anyone knows what these movements indicate I’d be grateful. Rachel

 

[BirdyBee]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum & have recently brought home 3 weeks ago a 5 month old Alexandrine. We’ve been getting along just fine & he is starting target training with a stick & is also eating out of my hand with caution as he is not tame at all so shocked already about this, however he has bitten me once quite hard whilst he was on the target stick I was holding! Since we got him he has been doing exaggerated head movements that extend to his back, going round in almost like a figure of 8? I thought he was dancing as he tends to do this a lot whilst hanging upside down in his cage but also on his perch. Is this something to be concerned about, it’s almost like he can’t stop but will if you distract him enough. I’ve read a lot about stargazing and all sorts of neurological conditions but just wondered if anyone else’s birds does this? I’ll try upload a video very soon as he has now stopped & just settled for the evening. If anyone knows what these movements indicate I’d be grateful. Rachel

Can you share a video? You can upload on YouTube or Imgur as unlisted and share the link here.

 

[Pabloalex91]

Can you share a video? You can upload on YouTube or Imgur as unlisted and share the link here.

Hi PippTheBananaBirb,

I’ve just managed to find a video I took of home doing this. Sometimes he will do this for around a minute and then settle when you cover him for the night. It does appear to be voluntary in my opinion but I’m not expert just he will sometimes stop when you catch his attention but is this normal amongst alexandrines? I guess I’m just after some reassurance.
Thanks in advance

 

[Pabloalex91]

Here is a video of him

Stargazing? < Video link

Thank you

 

[Icca]

I'm no expert but looks like he's just having fun

 

[BirdyBee]

I think he's ok! You could always bring him to an avian vet if you want to be on the safe side

 

[HeatherG]

I think he’s just being weird (or having fun) like any parrot. Stargazing looks different.

Thanks for posting the video. I was worried.

 

[Pabloalex91]

I think he’s just being weird (or having fun) like any parrot. Stargazing looks different.

Thanks for posting the video. I was

Thanks everyone, this has been reassuring. There has not been any other concerns to note so maybe I can relax a little now Many thanks for your replies!

 

[Niteldy]

My Alex does the same thing. They are just playing - Kinda like when as kids we would be spun in a chair for that weird feeling- Thats their weird feeling thing to do !!

 

[LeeC]

My one Senegal Charlie does that exact movement! It is reassuring to see another parrot do it, though.

 

[SailBoat]

Seems your Parrot is suffering from the 'dreaded' Happy Parrot Having Fun!!
Enjoy!!