Weirdest noise just before sleep

Not sure if this is a general thing, but Oscar (Senegal, 6 yo) started to make a new noise just before sleep.

We have this routine where he goes from the bottom of the cage, needs scritches (loads), eyelid fluttering, him saying "time for sleep", "night night", doing his usual grinding etc, climbing up to the highest perch (very very slowly...), me putting over the cover so he has perfect darkness, doing a last peekaboo (I know...), kissey sounds, and lights out.

Since 6 months or so, after the cover is on, at that exact moment he makes a noise for about 3 to 4 seconds that is very quiet, hard to describe, but sounds a bit like ... a baby sucking a pacifier (but at 1/5th the volume)? There is moisture involved (I think), but since they have no lips, it's hard to imagine it's coming from his beak.

It's not a learned sound, it does not resemble anything he hears in daily life, and it's never ever used outside that specific moment. He's not ill, there is no distress, he's a very good sleeper.

I can't record it as it requires total "peace" - he doesn't do it when he is still a bit agitated or hears a noise out of pattern. And I can't see what he's doing as the cover is on. I know he doesn't move: he stays put in the exact same corner as always.

Any idea what it could be?

Is it something with his crop? Adjusting it or something similar? It never goes on for longer, and again, it is very very silent. If the dog snores lightly (sleeps next to cage) it's impossible to hear.

Nature, or nurture after all?

Sounds like it is the contented beak grinding bird do right before sleep, or when relaxed, that's my best guess

Both of my fids do a 'beak grinding' when tired or content but also what I call their 'slurpy' at bedtime/nap time. It is different than a grind and distinct in that it seems to be tongue and moisture involved in making the sound. Hence, my calling it the 'sweet sleepy slurpy' from my babes. It's adorable.

I love it!


Yes, that's exactly it.



I'm familiar with the grinding, he's an enthusiastic grinder. At first it was mostly in the evenings. Later, he started doing it whenever I speak very softly to him, almost like a cat would purr. I can even take his upper mandible (very gently!) in my 2 fingers while he is doing it, and he just continues. When he's really happy/at ease he makes little squeaks while doing it too.



But: the "sleepy slurpee" is *exactly* what it sounds like. Yesterday it was 2 seconds only, but very distinct. I had associated it with "feeling very good/safe/happy" although I didn't have a good reason for it.


I need to research the SSS further. I had spent hours on Google, but nothing that came close. (also, best to put on safe search when doing that, ahem ). No mention of it in the books I had studied.



First time I hear it confirmed by others. Thanks!

If you find anything on the SSS (sweet sleepy slurpy(ee)) please let me know. I've only ever found the beak grinding LOL.

Been searching for an hour yesterday, found one vid called "parrot sleepy slurpy" but the sounds were not related.


He did an extra "gurgle" last night, just before I put on the cover. I'm suspecting he's reading this forum.


I'm going to try to record it. I have "spy glasses" with built-in camera. That way it will be clearer what we mean (but knowing him he'll refuse to do it heheh).

I finally managed to record it. Not easy, as the dog is snoring just below the cage, and the sounds are very very quiet anyway. On top of that, he only does it when the blanket is over the cage, so that muffles the sound too.


Anyway.



You will hear my voice say "Sleep well Oscar" and you'll hear the weird noises he makes - which I think can be classified as "SSS"


https://soundcloud.com/theo-van-daele/sweet-sleepy-slurpy/s-Tcl45

WideO said:

I finally managed to record it. Not easy, as the dog is snoring just below the cage, and the sounds are very very quiet anyway. On top of that, he only does it when the blanket is over the cage, so that muffles the sound too.


Anyway.



You will hear my voice say "Sleep well Oscar" and you'll hear the weird noises he makes - which I think can be classified as "SSS"


https://soundcloud.com/theo-van-daele/sweet-sleepy-slurpy/s-Tcl45

Click to expand...

I have inferior quality speakers in my inferior quality laptop but I still think that I heard the SSS! I'll try later with my husbands superior laptop and superior speakers (he's a musician ) and hopefully will hear it better.

As a follow up: he now does it 9 nights out of 10. Only when the cover just went on, when he’s relaxed, and only for a few seconds. Definitely involves moisture (saliva?). It’s also very low in volume, you really have to listen for it. Never ever makes a noise that’s even close to it during the day.

I’m truly amazed I can not find more info about this behaviour, tried a few more searches, but nothing.