normal bird behavior?

[Minzer84]

Hey, kind of a silly question...Iggy has always had the occasional habit of turning his head upside down and grabbing it with his foot, and then kind of petting himself...it's always when he's relaxed and if I try to pet his head after that, he always lets me. Is this a common bird thing to do? Just curious! Thanks

 

[darkchi]

that would make a cute picture!...speaking of... people are slacking with the pictures around here... yeah same goes for me too

Cricket does something like that too... and she will do anything for a head rub

 

[Tracy842]

My senegal will do the exact same thing. She will do it really slow and really enjoy it. This is her way of inviting me to join in and give her a head scratch. I have heard that they do that as an "invitation" for you to give them a head scratch, seems true with Popsicle.

 

[Peta]

Yep Bucc will do the same thing, and that is also an (order) invitation for me to join him.

 

[Tracy842]

Yep Bucc will do the same thing, and that is also an (order) invitation for me to join him.

Yeah Popsicle makes it a order too. If I don't rub her head she will stop growl and slam her beak down over and over again. She has quite a little temper, but quite funny to watch.

 

[Christy]

Hamlet doesn't pet his own head, but when he is really relaxed, he puts a foot up to his mouth, wraps his claws around his head, and kind of sucks on it. He does this leaning sidewways against out hands or stomachs. Its really cute. It also means that he wants to be petted.

 

[Peta]

Hamlet doesn't pet his own head, but when he is really relaxed, he puts a foot up to his mouth, wraps his claws around his head, and kind of sucks on it. He does this leaning sidewways against out hands or stomachs. Its really cute. It also means that he wants to be petted.

Kito has just started to do that, he will be right over on his side and just goes to sleep as long as he's being petted. Just like a human baby sucking a thumb.

 

[NicoleN]

turning his head upside down and grabbing it with his foot, and then kind of petting himself

We used to have a Cockatoo that did the exact same thing. It's adorable. He was so cuddly, and would lay on his side or back next to you and you could rub his stomach for what seemed like forever, so sweet.....then all of a sudden he'd turn around and gash your finger. I must say I prefer the easy to read body language of an Amazon.

Sisqo kind of does the same thing, he doesn't exactly caress his head, he'll scratch it vigorously for a few seconds and that's it.

 

[Minzer84]

Thanks, glad to know Iggy isn't weird on top of vicious. No more incidents lately, and I think him doing that and letting me pet his head and help with his pin feathers at the same time is a good sign...I even got to leave the room for a couple minutes at a time without having him scream! Perhaps this is a sign of good things to come? Keep your fingers crossed