sexual behavior?

Just introduced myself and immediately a sex question...

Hello, I am new to the forum and I live in the Caribbean. I have a Jenday conure and 2 yellow-crested Amazons. One Amazon (Coco)is with me temporarily and the other one I caught 3 weeks ago. He/she escaped somewhere and I can't locate the owner.

After a week just seeing each other I put the rescue with Coco (in a huge aviary) and they are doing just fine. I do not know who is male or female.
Coco has always been very aggressive (especially towards me)and the new one is calm, cool and collected. Since 1 week the new amazon is making weird sounds... almost duck like, cooing, moaning... and lifting her claw towards Coco. Is this mating behavior? what would be male and female behavior? I can't find any info at the moment so I thought I might try it here.
anyone here who can shed some light on this?
Thank you,
sincerely, Murphy

Sure sounds like it, if not it may be warning the other bird to stay away (wow, two very different situations...).

Just watch very closely for more pointers.

So I would assume than that the new one is a female.... acting like she 'wants' some and still holding the other one at a distance...... hehehe......

But serious here... The newcomer is masturbating on his/her perch, making the weird cooing sounds and sticking his/her claw out to Coco. almost as if he/she wants to hold on to Coco.
So here is my second question: Is there a way to tell female and male apart in their mating behavior? (They do not do DNA testing here, but this is just for my curiousity)
I need a name for the newcomer also!!
Coco is already named but the owner does not know if Coco is male or female.

Hi Murphy and welcome to a wonderful parrot place. So you have a big avairy. How nice for you and the birds. How many birds do you have? Newcomer does need a name. Send us a pic and we can suggest some for her. I think the new one is a her. If the mating behavior is an issue for her you may not be able to keep them together. Watch for egg laying then you will know for sure if she is a she.

Ok, as soon as Coco is not paying attention , I will snap a pic of the newcomer. Coco is extremely aggressive (even before the new one came in the aviary) The owner told me that Coco hates women. Only the hubby can feed the 2 parrots, the times I had to do it I was very lucky to get away unharmed. Once a big chunk of hair missing and the 2nd time my watch took the beating.
The new one however is very nice... just a bit horny

There aren't many reliable ways to determine their sex without DNA (or surgical which I don't recommend). But there are some hints: When they pleasure themselves what is their posture like? Females tend to back up to something and lift their tail up or move it to the side. Males tend to mount the object of their affection and tuck their tail down.

Hmmmmm... I will pay attention next time. I will also send the hubbie in the aviary to check that old nest box that is there. The Newbie is spending some time in there making funny noises.

murphy said:

Hmmmmm... I will pay attention next time. I will also send the hubbie in the aviary to check that old nest box that is there. The Newbie is spending some time in there making funny noises.

Click to expand...

LoL if only they coud talk ....... then perhaps we would know

Barbara Heidenreich is coming to the island in May... already got a ticket to attend the workshops and lectures. I hope she can help me with Cocos aggressive behavior towards me. In her book 'Parrot Problem Solver' my situation is not explained. Besides, Coco is so agressive that she/he will tear me to pieces... it is not just biting... Coco is in killing mode.

I do know that if a parrot bites, it is always your fault. I wonder what i did wrong to make her feel that way.

My one wish is attend a great workshop and lecture. You are very fortunate to have the opportunity, make the most of it.
Hope you will get some answers regarding Coco's aggressive behavior
Let us know how it went, share loads of info with us..

I sure will!!!

If Coco is the dominant of the roost, the behavior on the part of the other amazon sounds like submissive "baby" behavior to ingratiate him/herself to Coco.

Then again, it might be amazon speak for who knows what. ps. Blood test is the way to go for sexing. Generally around $40 American.

Lifting the claw, wing flipping, and growling noises are male mating behavior. You found yourself a boy, and he wants a little something.