My conure is around 7 months old, and he is beginning to molt into his adult feathers. I've noticed lately that he has been very 'cuddly'. He was very friendly when I got him, but now every time he is near me, he tries to burrow into my hair or any part of me and then lay on his back, with his belly exposed. He also began to bob his head up and down - it is different from the bob that baby birds do to get food. He makes sort of a 'clicking' sound that goes with every bob. Also, he started to make low, growling noises when he cuddles into me. Is this courting/mating behavior? If so, how can I discourage it?
Is my conure of the hormonal age?
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Oh yeah, he has been quite a bit uncooperative lately. The only trick I could get him to do was wave. He wouldn't spin, despite knowing full well how to do it, and was reluctant to do the 'ladder' exercise (where he would climb from one finger to the next). How long will his stage last?
MikeyTN
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What kind of conure is he? At 7 months old I don't think he's hitting it just yet, are you sure about his age??? Molting can cause them to be irritated and not wanting to do a lot of things and can make them quite cranky.
Dinosrawr
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It's possible that he's hitting hormones early, but they normally hit it at 1-3 years of age. If he's DNA sexes as male then he should be humping you or his toys if that's the case. Birds don't often use missionary position to mate, though I do recall there is one species that will on occasion. Avery will crawl into my hair and go crazy and play with it - she absolutely adores being in it, haha. Also, if he saw you as a mate, his bobbing should result in regurgitation. Do you notice him ever trying to "feed" you after bobbing?
As for the sounds... that does remind me of mating behaviour, though I've only experienced a hormonal female who crawled into my neck, made cooing sounds, and rubbed herself against me. Basically any time your bird tries this, try it distract them with a toy, a trick, or gently remove them and place them elsewhere for awhile to cool down. It can be very frustrating for a bird to see you as a mate because they may become sexually dissatisfied, so lots of "cool down" time may be needed. Also, try to avoid petting provocative areas such as the back, shoulders, under the wings, and near the cloaca. Neck and above should be safe, but gauge it based on your parrot.
As for the misbehaviour... anything can cause that. Molting can definitely make them moody. Not wanting to do tricks that day, or just simply having no motivation or desire to do what you're asking could also just be the result of an off day.
Here's some great websites for help regarding what to do with a hormonal bird (if that's the case):
http://www.beautyofbirds.com/sexualbehaviorinbirds.html
http://www.parrotplace.ca/hormonal_parrot.htm
When conures first hit hormones, it varies from bird to bird, where you're located, and what kind of light your bird is being provided with. I think the general rule of thumb for first time hormones Is about a year of "nasty" behaviour at the worst... but I'm not sure. Generally their breeding behaviour starts in February (from what I recall - don't quote me), but I'm quite positive that they can also choose to breed more than once in the year (once again, don't quote me on this). I'm personally not positive how long they should be hormonal, but I'm sure a more experienced member will know
As for the sounds... that does remind me of mating behaviour, though I've only experienced a hormonal female who crawled into my neck, made cooing sounds, and rubbed herself against me. Basically any time your bird tries this, try it distract them with a toy, a trick, or gently remove them and place them elsewhere for awhile to cool down. It can be very frustrating for a bird to see you as a mate because they may become sexually dissatisfied, so lots of "cool down" time may be needed. Also, try to avoid petting provocative areas such as the back, shoulders, under the wings, and near the cloaca. Neck and above should be safe, but gauge it based on your parrot.
As for the misbehaviour... anything can cause that. Molting can definitely make them moody. Not wanting to do tricks that day, or just simply having no motivation or desire to do what you're asking could also just be the result of an off day.
Here's some great websites for help regarding what to do with a hormonal bird (if that's the case):
http://www.beautyofbirds.com/sexualbehaviorinbirds.html
http://www.parrotplace.ca/hormonal_parrot.htm
When conures first hit hormones, it varies from bird to bird, where you're located, and what kind of light your bird is being provided with. I think the general rule of thumb for first time hormones Is about a year of "nasty" behaviour at the worst... but I'm not sure. Generally their breeding behaviour starts in February (from what I recall - don't quote me), but I'm quite positive that they can also choose to breed more than once in the year (once again, don't quote me on this). I'm personally not positive how long they should be hormonal, but I'm sure a more experienced member will know
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Thank you so much for the replies! He is a sun conure, and is definitely 7 months old, though he has not been DNA sexed (I just call him a 'he'). I will wait until the molting is over to see if his behavior will change.
veimar
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Maybe he is getting just more used to you and forms a deeper bond? I have my gcc for little over 3 mo (he should be 6 mo now) and he exhibits some behaviors similar to what you describe. I attribute it to him bonding more closely to me and building up more trust. For example he started eating from my plate and flying to my shoulder from his cage (he is clipped!) Mine didn't start molting and doesn't lay on his back yet - he does that only inside his cage.
MonicaMc
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I've heard of green cheeks breeding at that age, but not the larger conures.
As far as the tricks go, you might just have to go back to basics. If he doesn't continuously get rewarded for doing something, even intermittently, he may decide that the reward for doing a behavior just isn't enough.
Your conure does sound adorable though!
As far as the tricks go, you might just have to go back to basics. If he doesn't continuously get rewarded for doing something, even intermittently, he may decide that the reward for doing a behavior just isn't enough.
Your conure does sound adorable though!
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