my toe tapping eclectus

[pedro-the-ecky]

hi fellow bird lovers
i have a problem with my 6 month old eclectus.
he has recently began "stamping" on my head when he lands on me and i dont know why.
he will fly over and land on my head as he likes to watch what im doin but lately he has got in the habit of when he is sitting still on my head he continually stamps his foot on me lol
he doesnt do it in his cage only on my head!
please help is this something to worry about or nothing at all.
thanks.
Megan aka. Pedro's slave.....

 

[antoinette]

I am not too familiar with the toe tapping in eclectus parrots.
I recall reading an article, a while back relating to toe tapping and muscle spasm.
The captive eclectus can be susceptible to muscle spasm known as toe-tapping and wing flipping, while all the causes are not clear, a major cause is a chemical imbalance in vitamins and minerals
If I were in your shoes, I would take Pedro, to an avian vet, there they are qualified in this field. It could be a number of different things.
Rather be safe than sorry

I surfed the net came across the link below, which I am sure will assist you

Eclectus Parrots: Species information and Photos

 

[Spiritbird]

There is an article in the Nov. 2010 issue of Bird Talk Magazine on the the toe tapping of eckies. It states that toe tapping has been reproduced by offering a diet over supplemented with vitamins and minerals. The article also states that a visit to the vet is in order to check for more serious problems. Do not make dietary chanages until a avain vet is consulted per the article. Author says to remove all processed foods, foods with supplements, preservatives and food coloring agents. Offer fresh organic steamed or raw vegies with lots of dark green leafy foods. Opt for the orange vegies for beta carotine. Do not feed any herbs. In other words offer only well washed, wholesome organic healthy food items in their natural form. You may want to get this Bird Talk issue for reference. Try to keep the bird from getting on your head. Wear a hat or something.

 

[Chris Winkler]

I agree with what has been said thus far. I am rather new with an Eclectus however I did my research on them for about 4 years while waiting for the time to be right to bring Tobi my 23wk old Eckie home.

The diet is so very important with them. They digest 100% of what they eat and have a digestive tract that is 3 times as long as other parrots.

I feed frozen mixed veggies containing green beans, peas, carrots, beans & corn. Along with fresh kale, orca, carrots, spinach, sugar snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower.

In the afternoon he gets a treat of some apple, kiwi, grapes, peaches, strawberries, oranges and nectarines and anything else they have fresh at the store. I don't feed all the fruits every day I mix it up daily and put them on a skewer type feeder.

He also gets a few Species Specific Eclectus pellets from Happy Bird Corp. My breeder said the within about 2 years on other pellets like the Zupreem brand he would be severely malnourished.

Tobi actually expects the veggies in the morning and will sit by the area that his food bowl is and will make the same noise as he hears me start the microwave to thaw the frozen veggies waiting for them to arrive.

I put the big leaf veggies like the kale on a plastic close pin and hang them so he has to work a bit to eat them.

Let us know what happens

You may want to stop letting him on your head. It may be cute now but in a matter of time you wont want him up there. Let alone the injuries to your ears and eyes that could happen. To many things to bite and taste on our faces. I don't even let my birds on my shoulder until they have earned my trust.

Echo my grey is aloud on my shoulder for short periods but as soon as he starts trying to grab my earrings or glasses down he goes.

 

[Pedro]

I have to say by the description of the stamping I feel that it's not toe tapping at all. I know my own eclectus do this kind of dancing around sometimes where they stamp both feet, looks funny as well.

Toe tapping is a totally different reaction. But you do well to keep taking notice of any unusual behavior. The sooner a problem is sorted out the better.