What is she doing?

[sunshinemama91]

My son noticed Gracie doing this new little move like shes gonna throw up or something. Heres a little clip I recorded... anyone know what the heck shes doing? [ame="https://youtu.be/GUpROtEZf7w"]Huh? - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Owlet]

Classic regurgitation behavior. anything getting her hormonally charged?

 

[sunshinemama91]

Classic regurgitation behavior. anything getting her hormonally charged?

I dont think so, as far as I know she has yet to hit sexual maturity. Shes 9.

 

[noodles123]

9 years??? That's sexually mature...they are there by 4 or 5....
Any shadowy places?
Any petting anywhere other than the head or neck?
Cuddles and allowing them to nestle into dark clothing, blankets, bedding , under furniture etc can lead to this.
Also, at least 12 hours of solid sleep on a schedule each day is key to keeping your bird healthy in terms of immunity and hormones.

 

[sunshinemama91]

9 years??? That's sexually mature...they are there by 4 or 5....
Any shadowy places?
Any petting anywhere other than the head or neck?
Cuddles and allowing them to nestle into dark clothing, blankets, bedding , under furniture etc can lead to this.
Also, at least 12 hours of solid sleep on a schedule each day is key to keeping your bird healthy in terms of immunity and hormones.

Shes not one to allow petting anywhere or snuggles, although I am trying to train her to be more open to all that starting with head scratches. The sleep schedule definitely could improve but with 3 young kids and a relatively small house, her chances of 12 straight hours of undisturbed sleep are literally none. I'd chalk it up to that more than anything. We have only had her since October 31st and relatively new to the world of parrots and still finding balance with her. Shes been a lot nicer lately than she has been since we got her though so that's a plus!

 

[sunshinemama91]

Also, I read somewhere that amazons dont sexually mature until like their teen years [emoji23] where the hell do I get my information from?

 

[Kiwibird]

She is definitely sexually mature at 9! Puberty in amazons starts at 4-6 years old. You haven’t had her very long right? Except during puberty ( which can last quite a few years For some individuals, or be just a year or 2 in others) or if sexual behaviors are being inadvertently encouraged, Amazon’s do not display year round hormonal behaviors. Female amazons typically act out less noticeably than males too. It is likely you just haven’t had her long enough to witness her hormonal displays yet.

She appears to be regurgitating. It’s getting around that time of year, a bit early, but in captivity and as a non breeder, their hormonal cycles and behaviors can be a bit “off”. Amazons typically go through their annual mating season in the late winter. Females typically display behaviors like being “extra friendly”, regurgitating, nesting type behaviors and some will masturbate (you have been warned!). She may be stimulated in some way by whatever is going on with that light display, is my guess. Birds get excited over weird things. Also, regurgitation is not always a sexual behavior. Birds also regurgitate as a general sign of affection, because they are especially excited (not necessarily in a sexual way) and sometimes for no obvious reason at all. It is 100% normal parrot behavior.

 

[sunshinemama91]

She is definitely sexually mature at 9! Puberty in amazons starts at 4-6 years old. You haven’t had her very long right? Except during puberty ( which can last quite a few years For some individuals, or be just a year or 2 in others) or if sexual behaviors are being inadvertently encouraged, Amazon’s do not display year round hormonal behaviors. Female amazons typically act out less noticeably than males too. It is likely you just haven’t had her long enough to witness her hormonal displays yet.

She appears to be regurgitating. It’s getting around that time of year, a bit early, but in captivity and as a non breeder, their hormonal cycles and behaviors can be a bit “off”. Amazons typically go through their annual mating season in the late winter. Females typically display behaviors like being “extra friendly”, regurgitating, nesting type behaviors and some will masturbate (you have been warned!). She may be stimulated in some way by whatever is going on with that light display, is my guess. Birds get excited over weird things. Also, regurgitation is not always a sexual behavior. Birds also regurgitate as a general sign of affection, because they are especially excited (not necessarily in a sexual way) and sometimes for no obvious reason at all. It is 100% normal parrot behavior.

That's great to know! I figured it was normal but always have to run things by here before I just assume! And oh my gosh bird masturbation is a thing? We have only had her for almost 2 months now, and as much as I loved birds all my life I never actually researched until she became a reality.

 

[18WheelsOfSteel]

She is definitely sexually mature at 9! Puberty in amazons starts at 4-6 years old. You haven’t had her very long right? Except during puberty ( which can last quite a few years For some individuals, or be just a year or 2 in others) or if sexual behaviors are being inadvertently encouraged, Amazon’s do not display year round hormonal behaviors. Female amazons typically act out less noticeably than males too. It is likely you just haven’t had her long enough to witness her hormonal displays yet.

She appears to be regurgitating. It’s getting around that time of year, a bit early, but in captivity and as a non breeder, their hormonal cycles and behaviors can be a bit “off”. Amazons typically go through their annual mating season in the late winter. Females typically display behaviors like being “extra friendly”, regurgitating, nesting type behaviors and some will masturbate (you have been warned!). She may be stimulated in some way by whatever is going on with that light display, is my guess. Birds get excited over weird things. Also, regurgitation is not always a sexual behavior. Birds also regurgitate as a general sign of affection, because they are especially excited (not necessarily in a sexual way) and sometimes for no obvious reason at all. It is 100% normal parrot behavior.

That's great to know! I figured it was normal but always have to run things by here before I just assume! And oh my gosh bird masturbation is a thing? We have only had her for almost 2 months now, and as much as I loved birds all my life I never actually researched until she became a reality.

Oh yes, it is absolutely a thing, and once you identify it, it can lead to endless amounts of unbridled snickering and hilarity at the most inappropriate times...like when your wife is trying to be serious and discuss things that are better not laughed at and your fid goes loveboat on the edge of the cage...not speaking from personal experience or anything though, just what I have heard.

 

[Kiwibird]

hat's great to know! I figured it was normal but always have to run things by here before I just assume! And oh my gosh bird masturbation is a thing? We have only had her for almost 2 months now, and as much as I loved birds all my life I never actually researched until she became a reality.

They do and female amazons are notoriously bad about their amorous displays It’s natural and shouldn’t be discouraged but it’s best to completely and blatantly ignore it if she ever does. Just turn around and walk away lol.

 

[sunshinemama91]

Oh my gosh that's too funny. I had to look it up after you said that and uh yeah definitely walking away [emoji23][emoji23] the example video was some guy petting his bird while it got jiggy with it and that's a major nope over here. So far she's a big time flirt with my husband showing off her tail feathers, pinning, and talking up a storm, but this is the first we have really seen regurgitating behavior. I'll be watching for other signs of hormonal changes now tooa

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6QZn9xiuOE"]Marvin Gaye - Lets get it on - YouTube[/ame]


YUP! Amazon overload!



Jim