Digging...but not for gold :(

I've seen Jasper do this digging motion a couple of times. Once he was in the bottom of his cage, he leaned over beak to bottom, lifted one foot forward and up really quick. Stood up and repeated this motion several times. He looked like a pinwheel. Last night, he held onto the side of the cage and kinda did it again. Last night I thought it was because I put something in his cage he wasn't ready for but the first time, there was nothing new. Are they natural diggers and he's getting more comfortable in his new setting? We've had him for 6 weeks or so now. Or is he trying to tell me something?

trimblegirls said:

I've seen Jasper do this digging motion a couple of times. Once he was in the bottom of his cage, he leaned over beak to bottom, lifted one foot forward and up really quick. Stood up and repeated this motion several times. He looked like a pinwheel. Last night, he held onto the side of the cage and kinda did it again. Last night I thought it was because I put something in his cage he wasn't ready for but the first time, there was nothing new. Are they natural diggers and he's getting more comfortable in his new setting? We've had him for 6 weeks or so now. Or is he trying to tell me something?

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Not an expert on Grays, but your description of his movement caught my eye. It is not a movement that I am aware of, but again not a Gray person.

If my memory is still good. Grays have an oil gland that they use to clean and position their feathers. It assure that the feathers move smoothly as they fly. But, I'm not seeing any connection there either.

So how old is Jasper? What are you feeding him? And other then this 'digging' he is general being himself? His stool is consistent, not watery? He is eating normally? Interacting normally?

Well at this point, lets see if one of the other members have a clue what he is doing.

See if you can get a Video of this Digging Action.

'Boats that's what I am guessing too, but since our Amazons lack that gland.....

He's 9. He eats mostly pellets and any fruit, not so much on the veggies but we're working on it. I doubt I'll get a video since he's done it only twice but if he does I'm on it. He's warming up to me so nicely. I just don't want to ruin it by not understanding what he was trying to tell me.

trimblegirls said:

He's 9. He eats mostly pellets and any fruit, not so much on the veggies but we're working on it. I doubt I'll get a video since he's done it only twice but if he does I'm on it. He's warming up to me so nicely. I just don't want to ruin it by not understanding what he was trying to tell me.

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Thank-you, for the information!

At this point, keep a log on when you see him doing this and for how long. Also, keep an eye of the areas of his body near these areas watching for any body feather damage. At this point, you are just monitoring.

You should be scheduling an Avian Vet 'New Parrot' examination in the next month or so to get a base line and to have your AV put eyes on him.

I hope we get a Gray Owner in here soon.

This behavior should in no way effect developing Bond, keep work at it!

Our Grey Sasha does the same thing. Nesting behavior. She prefers corners and closets and will start digging on the carpet. We discourage her from doing this by immediately taking her out of the closet or corner that she has found and off the carpet. She will sometimes also do this on the bottom of her cage as well. Digging usually comes before she lays an egg.

I don't know if Jasper is male or female yet. Waiting for him to settle in a bit more before I take him for his vet check. The nearest avian vet is 45 minutes away. If there's no nesting box, will they lay eggs anyway? I'm not worried about him/her laying in house because I'm just now introducing him to the house. We've only made into the next room (kitchen) for about 5 minutes at a time. He loves his cage. I'm trying to get him to be on a stand but again, going slow. I've at least got the stand next to his cage without him caring. Having him on my hand and close to it is another thing...

Wondering if I should have him clipped... He's generally pretty good about staying on his cage but every now and then just flies off. I don't care about that but he also generally crash lands into whatever. Not necessarily a window. Today, he got a small scrape on his face from it. I really don't want him to hurt himself.