Please Help with odd behavior

[joeparrilla5790]

So my Green Cheek Conure is just about 10 months old. I have been witnessing some.strange behavior changes over the past week. Every night before bed he/she lays with me while I read, usually snuggling near my mouth waiting to get scratched.
Last week, a regurgitation response began happening during this session, but a vet told me it is common and usually means they are generally excited. I thought nothing more of it. Now the behavior is getting stranger, he is trying to rub his vent on my hand and his back side is bobbing... all of this while regurgitating. Also, he is actually bringing up mushed food now (he eats harrisons fine pellets, what comes up basically is a pureed form of it). He immediately eats whatever comes up as well. Also the regurgitation seems more intense now... with faster/harder neck bobbing and even head shaking in between the bobs. The rubbing started only slightly but now is being more forced.. he seems annoyed when I move away. I have not noticed any of this behavior while he is in his cage or with anyone else. He only does it at night when I am in bed.. never other times when he is out with me around this house. Does anyone have any ideas? He is otherwise seemingly healthy.. great appetite, steady weight, extremely active/clownish. I am worried...

 

[Grinder]

Hormones - there are lots of threads on this. Best to not have him on you during this time. Maybe scratch his head a little, but nothing more beyond that. He could start getting aggressive towards you as well. It's getting to be that season.

 

[joeparrilla5790]

Hormones - there are lots of threads on this. Best to not have him on you during this time. Maybe scratch his head a little, but nothing more beyond that. He could start getting aggressive towards you as well. It's getting to be that season.

So I should just distance from him when he does this? I havent been reprimanding him in any way. I just didnt know what to do... I was worried he was in pain or something. Is this something that comes and goes over the years?

 

[weco]

Like Grinder said, its a hormonal display. It's mating season for most conures & your little friend has been caught up with the masses. During these times, head scritches are normally the only body contact you want to have with the bird(s).....petting or body stroking is often construed as mating behavior by hormonal birds.

It's nothing to get upset about & your bird(s) are not in any pain. Most birds exhibit this behavior for a month to two, then will be back to their old self.

 

[Jtbirds]

Here is a link to a discussion about regurgitation and what to do to prevent and stop it slightly. As stated refrain from full body petting keep it to the head and stop of he starts acting sexual. Once that happens ether let him finish or put him on a stand with no verbal response just put him straight on a stand and done.

Here's the link: http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/28831-how-react-when-bird-regurgitates-you.html

 

[joeparrilla5790]

Like Grinder said, its a hormonal display. It's mating season for most conures & your little friend has been caught up with the masses. During these times, head scritches are normally the only body contact you want to have with the bird(s).....petting or body stroking is often construed as mating behavior by hormonal birds.

It's nothing to get upset about & your bird(s) are not in any pain. Most birds exhibit this behavior for a month to two, then will be back to their old self.

Thanks. I like to do training with him at night which is just some trick training with sunflower seed treats. Its only verbal praise as well. Would that be ok ir should I refrain? Also should I give him more cage alone time and less handling? He is being very vocal and screaming more than ever.

 

[Jtbirds]

Verbal praise while training is fine and anytime other then when he is doing his bad behavior. I'd say when he starts the behavior set him back on his cage and leave for a little so still let him roam in and out but not on you to keep doing this behavior. Then a little later go get him again. The screaming is more then likely from hormones, my amazon gets very loud when hormones kick in. This is a tough time for them as it all just boils up and has to come out some way which can be in bad behaviors or hopefully on something constructive like toys, but this time sadly they have came out in these behaviors.