What type of behavior is this?

[greenfirelady]

We sent off a blood sample for dna sexing but, we were wondering....Ariel is a military macaw. We were told they suspected he was a "he." This is what he does....He wraps the toy and chain around his NECK and over his beak and reminds me of when a baby is looking up and being ready to be fed...Then, he will take a rope, or the chain from his bell and tuck it under his wing and sort of sit with it like that for long periods of time...Makes me nervous!

what sort of behavior is this reminiscent of?

 

[weco]

Welcome to the forum.....

I don't remember reading about any similar behavior, but there are parrots in the wild that carry nesting materials back to their nesting sites, stuffed under feathers on their backs, in their wings & in their tail feathers.....it may also be his/her way of thinking h=(s)he's hiding them.....

As to draping chains & ropes, that might be easily explained if (s)he's been watching TV shows where there's a lot of 'bling' being worn.....


There are a number of members on the forums who are students of psychology, maybe they will see the thread, chime in & give us their thoughts on the behavior.....

 

[MonicaMc]

Sounds like cuddling behavior.... in a strangling way!

Doesn't sound safe, but I can't think of what else it might be.... parrots can be pretty close to each other and enjoy the company of another being at their side.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Please be careful! If your Mac can actually put chain and toy around his neck, he could possibly entangle himself and end up hanging himself.

My Niko "cuddles" with a Rubber Kong Toy and with his stainless bell. He'll sit on the highest point of the boing (spiral rope perch), until the Kong is by his neck and the bell by his wing. I guess he feels secure that way. But in my instance, both objects are extremely short, and there is no possible way Niko could wrap either of them around his neck.

 

[Spinx]

You could try get a picture and post him doing it.