So the topic is Play Fighting. Lets define this first. The attacking and fighting with some object or thing with apparent violence, far different then the normal chewing or destruction of a toy or object. Often accompanied by sounds -grunts, growls, squawks, indicating heightened emotional levels. But not usually the actual destruction of the object. Some parrots roll around with the object, seeking its weak spot (?) or even do this lying on their backs. And once the 'fight' is over, the object reverts back to its more pedestrian nature, ignored until next time. Its not like the instantaneous dislike of something, triggered by say a color or shape, that only ceases with the removal of said object. Like a parrot that hates red bottlecaps or eyeglasses, and will actively bite and attack it and throw it away from itself. The phrase Play is heavily involved in play fighting. Some species seem to engage in this more then others, Amazons and caiques are two I know of firsthand; perhaps members with other species will chime in with their experiences. And with parrots' individualistic nature, some individuals will and some will not.
Unanswered questions I have:
Is play fighting related to hormonal input? In the wild, a part of some kind of dominance display? A part of establishing the pecking order within a flock?
Is play fighting just parrot version of play? Higher intelligence animals often show this type of play. In example lets take feline kittens and cubs. Lion cubs will often play like this and it looks pretty violent at times. But its supposed that this it merely engaging in activities that turn out to be useful behavior once the cubs start to actively hunt. Parrots don't hunt. Primates also play in a similar fashion, but that is related to establishing the dominance within the group. But they don't just randomly play fight with just any individual and don't do this with an object. Chimps will fling a tire about, but you don't see them trying to tear the living guts out of it.
Is it hormonally driven? My Amazon Salty seems to be engaging in this markedly more the last few weeks, in the middle of his traditional wintertime mating season. Mating seasons can be so varied from year to year, in duration, intensity and even the time of year. His is pretty stabilized to Dec-Jan but 3 yrs ago mating season was a real killer - long, intense and with big behavior changes. This year, its been mild, except for being more vocal and this proclivity for play fighting. Note, Salty likes to play fight with my hand. It sounds like he is going to tear me to shreds, but he is actually very gentle with that razor sharp beak, which is pretty amazing. He can deliver quite the bite when so inclined.
So - what is everyone's experience with this behavior in their parrots? I think its an area that would benefit from some serious study!
Unanswered questions I have:
Is play fighting related to hormonal input? In the wild, a part of some kind of dominance display? A part of establishing the pecking order within a flock?
Is play fighting just parrot version of play? Higher intelligence animals often show this type of play. In example lets take feline kittens and cubs. Lion cubs will often play like this and it looks pretty violent at times. But its supposed that this it merely engaging in activities that turn out to be useful behavior once the cubs start to actively hunt. Parrots don't hunt. Primates also play in a similar fashion, but that is related to establishing the dominance within the group. But they don't just randomly play fight with just any individual and don't do this with an object. Chimps will fling a tire about, but you don't see them trying to tear the living guts out of it.
Is it hormonally driven? My Amazon Salty seems to be engaging in this markedly more the last few weeks, in the middle of his traditional wintertime mating season. Mating seasons can be so varied from year to year, in duration, intensity and even the time of year. His is pretty stabilized to Dec-Jan but 3 yrs ago mating season was a real killer - long, intense and with big behavior changes. This year, its been mild, except for being more vocal and this proclivity for play fighting. Note, Salty likes to play fight with my hand. It sounds like he is going to tear me to shreds, but he is actually very gentle with that razor sharp beak, which is pretty amazing. He can deliver quite the bite when so inclined.
So - what is everyone's experience with this behavior in their parrots? I think its an area that would benefit from some serious study!
