Confusing behavior I can’t make out

Parker’s got me a bit flummoxed. He’s acting SO strange lately. Nothing bad, and certainly nothing I can’t handle. But I can’t seem to decode it.

His problem manifests in two different ways.

First is extremely clinginess. He usually stays put on his cage but the last couple days he’s climbs down to the ground and hunting us down like a heat seeking missle. Will not stay put at all and needs to be on us 24/7. And it’s not just clingy, he’s militantly clingy and gets riled up if I put him down on his playstand. It’s not BAD, just VERY unlike him. He’s usually an independent, daydreaming male Ekkie.

Second, his appetite. It’s almost nonexistent. I’m worried about this but also not. Not eating is always a concern with our birds, but my sense is that there actually isn’t an issue here, and just something temporary.

That’s it. He won’t leave us alone and is really not eating much. And perhaps a bit more cranky than usual. Not a whole lot to go on. Just All just out of the norm for him.

So I’m crowdsourcing some interpretations here, since none of the usual explanations for his behavior totally add up to what I’m seeing. Here’s what I got so far:

Hormonal. Problem here is that there’s no other hormonal behaviors manifesting.

Anxiety: we had a particularly rambunctious dog staying with us for a few days who’s presence I think bothered him more than typical. Something about winding down from the anxiety he might have felt.

Here’s the kicker: I’m 100% certain this will go away in the next week and won’t be a problem.

So crowd, any thoughts on what this could be about? Just FYI his food has not changed one iota.

Honestly, when I think about a bird that is suddenly very "clingy" and always wanting attention, and who also at the same time has stopped eating as much as they usually do, I automatically think that they aren't feeling well or are in pain from something. Naturally when they don't feel well or are in pain they don't have a great appetite, but also when they don't feel well or are in pain, even the most non-cuddly bird can get a bit needy and start feeling sorry for themselves...Just a thought...Doesn't sound hormonal to me at all...Possibly he's upset about something or something is frightening him or making him feel "uneasy", any changes to his environment or anything new in the house might cause this...

I agree with what Ellen said. I'd worry illness first.

Since we are on opposite sides of the species spectrum there are behavioral differences. I have seen this kind of behavior on the slide into the start of hormonal season, but with Amazons, it quickly switches (a day or two at most) to all the normal signs as the chemical load increases.

Your recent visitor may have upset your guy, but that would normally manifested prior to or as soon as the door closed after they left and depending on the level of a foodie, your guy is, they are back at the food with renewed effort within three days, but not much longer. The love-you-guys can continue on for several weeks. Once again, Amazon view point playing here.

The illness link, as covered above my Ellen, has cross species behavioral ties. Here, your knowledge of your guy is most effective in making the call. I tend to be a three items and I'm headed to the Avian Vet's Clinic. So, you got two indicators that something is just different. At this point, I would run the short list of clues: Weight change, Inspection of poop, Clarity of the eyes, Breathing problems (indicators) as the big ones.

Knowing you, you have already completed the check points above and likely a few more. And, because you didn't comment on them, they are likely all good.

At this point, its vigilance! But, remember that its Thursday afternoon and the weekend is coming up fast. So, double check everything. It sucks for a third point to fall into place Saturday night.

Thank you all, appreciate it.

This really is where knowing my bird is helpful. I’m just not at all convinced this is a health issue, more a behavioral issue. Chief among them is that Hes still got every ounce of energy, and then some.

He’s also much more disobedient. Not in a lethargic way, more of a “**** off, dude. I’m doing what I want” kinda way, to the point I have to be congnizant of my own reactions of his obstinance so I don’t teach him more bad stuff.

Part of the obstinance is a refusal to do any training whatsoever, and MANY refusals to step up when he’s in his heat seeking mode. He’ll be on the stand clearly about to crawl to the ground. Won’t step up, won’t turn around and still works his way to the ground.

Nomally is use targeting to fix this, but see training issue above for why this isn’t working.

I fully sense this is a phase that will pass. I just really want to understand the origins of this phase to help manage it.

Honestly sounds hormonal to me. Lincoln sometimes acts the same in his very mood-swingy hormone times. Still no harm in a vet check though to rule out any illness.

Love your insight, nothing like knowing ones head strong boy. To that point, like you stated, could be a phase thing /testing the Head Bird for dominance. I see it when our male Amazons get feeling better and elect to test the waters. Friends have reported like testing every five years or so with their male Amazons.

Just a little chime-in here, I guess. The Rb was a very consistent baby, but when he became a rooster at age 3-4, well... he is very unpredictable in affection, appetite, and interest in certain toys or activities. VERY unpredictable, mayyyyybe a little worse during the Romance Season, but year-'round, really. So that's the Patagonian two cents for ya.

My male eckie Sofus is very easy, so can't say too much in regards to the same species, but I do see the same behavior with the macaws. It is usually if I haven't had the time for them, they expect. Maybe Parker thinks you have "neglected" him during the holidays?

Any time I see any change in appetite I worry. Not necessarily "running to the vet"-worry, just makes me pay more attention. How is he if you offer him his favorite food? If they dig in like they usually do, I'd put it down to "feeling sad". If not, I would give some probiotics (we have something called zoolac here, I guess you would have something similar) and be extra vigilant at poop checks. Also I would be making a weight check once a day, just to be able to catch any change before it might be an issue.

Hope this is just post-holiday-jitters an nothing that needs extra attention

And just like that we’re back to normal...largely. Obstinance is 98% gone, not seeking us out anymore. Coals, content, self entertaining.

Boy...these birds. Thanks everyone for helping, really appreciate it.