Is this a behaviour problem or something else?

[Abigal7]

My conure has recently for the past two days squeked when I pet her with a finger. Is she scared, hurt, or are new feathers comeing in slowly? Recently when she is on the floor when I put my finger down for her to step onshe lowers herself closer to the ground head low and has her wings slightly out. She is right now on my shoulder with no problem.

 

[weco]

If she has feathers coming in, she will look sort of like a pin cushion, with all these little grey or white feather shafts sticking out all over.....think spiked hair. Some birds get irritable when moulting new feathers because they itch, can hurt & they can't get to the ones on their head & neck.....

If she's acting like she doesn't want to be with you, leave her alone, when she want's to be with you, she'll let you know.....

 

[MonicaMc]

Where exactly are you petting her at when she makes the noise?

 

[Abigal7]

On the head when she is laying on her back. But when she is perch on my hand she is quiet. She has quieted down this Sunday. She had a feather sticking out on her wing early in the week (it has fallen out since then). She took a bath Friday so hopefully it will help if it is feathers coming in. I will mist her on Monday. She been to the vets in November but I plan on taking her back for another examination and maybe to find out if she is a girl.

 

[MonicaMc]

Conures purr and may make noises of contentment when getting scritches. I can't say if it's that kind of behavior or if it might be hormonal.

If you hit a pin feather the wrong way, she'd let you know!


As for the floor behavior, it would be hard to tell without being able to see it or getting a better description. Sometimes, when birds want to go somewhere, they'll lower their body, lower their tail feathers and quiver their wings. Beaks are usually pointed in the direction they want to go in. It could be that behavior or it could be something else.

 

[Abigal7]

I would like to update and let everyone know that she has not been doing the behaviour lately. I had been sitting her down whenever she started and walking away. Currently she is calm and enjoys soft head petting.

 

[ACEPHONECHIC]

some of the behaviour you have described is female conure in a mating position stance.
My little greencheek conure Laurie used to stand with head down flicking and squeeking when she was in this frame of mind.