Distract me from the hormones - describe YOUR holy terror

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
4,349
2,119
Maryland - USA
Parrots
Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
Hormones are in FULL swing here and frustrations abound. Hormonal protocols are in place, just have to weather the storm now. So to distract me, pass the time, and make me feel better, I wanna hear how your bird manifests their hormones

Parker’s suite of behaviors are...strange, in that he is a plethora of secondary behaviors and very little actual common behavior like biting, regurgitation, or masturbation. The average parrot owner would actually not recognize it as hormonal - you’d have to know him to catch it. I’ve had him 4 years now and i only just FULLY put 2 and 2 together this past summer since his behaviors have changed somewhat over the years.

His primary tells:

1) CLINGY. -obsessive need to be with us, particularly my partner. Doesn’t do anything (regurgitate/masturbate), just needs to be near.

2) LOW APPETITE. He just doesn’t want to eat much, but still has 10x the amount of energy of normal.

3) GROWLING. He doesn’t scream like other birds. He does the loudest eclectus growl...frequently. If you know the growl, imagine it 20x louder. He lets you know hes PISSED if you so much as cross your legs in front of him.

4) FEEDING HIS BELLS. Little more recognizable behavior is sure many people see, he will regurgitate for the assorted bell toys he has.
 

LaManuka

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Aug 29, 2018
25,564
Media
26
Albums
1
33,190
Queensland, Australia
Parrots
Fang ({ab}normal grey cockatiel), Valentino (budgie), Jem (cinnamon cockatiel), Lovejoy(varied lorikeet), Peach (princess parrot)
My Crown Princess is a mad fuzzy bundle of hormones. Right this minute she is sitting on her "egg" - which is actually an egg shaped chunk of rose quartz by way of substitution. Prior to this she was pretty much everything you described with Parker, clingy, madly obsessive and regurgitating, but throw in eating like mad (well she is eating for two i suppose!) and biting me like crazy if I try to stop her burrowing into her favourite nesting site, and believe me for such a little bird she can bite REALLY hard!

All this is AFTER we did everything we could to try to prevent this kind of thing happening again, as she's laid eggs twice in the last 6 months already. We cut out fruit and have tried to cut down on her overall energy intake - which even her doctor admits is darn near impossible for a lorikeet on a sugar diet. Once her current broody cycle is over she is going to the vet for a hormonal implant whether she likes it or not!!

PS At least now she has her "egg" the rest of the household can have 5 minutes peace!
 
Last edited:

wrench13

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Nov 22, 2015
11,383
Media
14
Albums
2
12,567
Isle of Long, NY
Parrots
Yellow Shoulder Amazon, Salty
Salty's main tell is he gets very bitey. Such a 180 degree change from his normal countanence is so markedly different it's hard to mistake it for anything else. Eyes pinned, tail feathers spread, head low, beak opened wide, poofed up - a Salty like that can be nothing else. Only lasts for a few weeks, tapering off rather quickly, and our real life 'plushy' is back to normal.
 

bill_e

Supporting Member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Dec 24, 2015
1,225
414
New Hampshire
Parrots
Nike a Hawk Head Parrot (Deroptyus accipitrinus)
So Nike has her hormones under control and has for about 2 years. She gets excited for a minute or two then settles down. We don't adhere to any of the hormone "dont's" with the exception of 14 hours of dark sleep. She seems to have her hair up often when I have her and she's noisy and active, acting out and love biting but it never seems to escalate to anything other than fun.

Personally, I think our bond has grown so strong that she is almost in a constant state of low level hormones.....nothing like the first year or so that I had her.

By the way Dec 20 will be 4 years we've had her.
 

Owlet

Well-known member
Oct 27, 2016
2,750
1,886
Colorado
Parrots
Lincoln (Eclectus), Apollo (Cockatiel), Aster (GCC)
Everytime Lincoln gets hormonal it's different. Sometimes he screeches non-stop, sometimes he feeds his toys or perches, sometimes he just masturbates on everything. This time around he has decided stepping up is for losers and if he is going to step up he's gonna immediately start biting my hand. Or if I do something he doesn't like (could be anything. I could just move my head) and he's biting me. We've made some progress with it but not a lot.

Apollo I think is finally entering puberty and she doesn't know how to cope. She's so frustrated and I feel bad for the poor babe. She's always antsy lately and freaks out at the smallest things and has been more nippy. However she st8ll hasn't really bitten thankfully.
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
Julio is our first Amazon who has been on the Sun Base Sleep schedule that has allowed us some line in the sand regarding when and for how long the Hormonal Rage will be with us poor staff people. With him, it is commonly 3 to 6 weeks of blood letting fun (well at least for him).

Our past Amazons have been on the 12 -14 hours Sleep Schedule and no matter how closely one follows that schedule there will be break though events that occurred out of the Blue. So, we are for the vast majority of the year happy.

What we do in preparation of the joy season:
- Place the dancing bath towels a various locations near his primary area of ownership for quick access.
- Close his 'stuff' hiding places (especially those areas that could be confused as a nesting area).
- More the "Keep an eye on the mental state of HRH" This is a upgrade of the normal Amazon Watch status.
- Limits visitors, especially those who are prone to not being on full-alert (aaah pretty bird, do you want a kiss - no they are not allowed in the house during the season)!

What he does:
- Walks around a chair and turns into a Chemical Crazed Killer. Its like Sweet and Nice to Killer Status!
- Looks at you as if he wants your attention, only to go into full pinned eye status and if you come into his space, he begins to spin-up into fully crazed Amazon.
- Bites, Yes! If you are not paying attentions, its all your fault.
- Will chase and murder dancing towels (while humans escape in the other direction).

In all honestly, I feel sorry for the guy! One can watch the rush of chemicals hit him, build and fall away (as long as no stupid humans cause him to spin more). When he comes out of the effect of the chemicals, he is like: What Just Happened!?!?

If you are aware of what is about to happen, it is interesting to watch and darn dangerous to not pull back.

The truly scary part is the the peaceful time between the chemical rushes.
 
Last edited:

GaleriaGila

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
May 14, 2016
15,045
8,742
Cleveland area
Parrots
The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
Threads like this are such a wonderful guilty pleasure for me. It cheers me SO to hear of all of your hormone woes... my misery loves company, dear buddies!
Allow me to return the favor... this one goes out to Parker from the Rb...
"Ring My Bell, Hormones!"
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oVm9NTINO8A"]rickeybirdproductions - !!! - YouTube[/ame]
 

PickleMeDickles

New member
May 17, 2015
375
10
Southern California
Parrots
SassyByrd (DYH Amazon) JoJo (GCC) Betty (GCC) DEARLY LOVED fids lost to “Teflon Disaster� 12/17 RIP Pickles (GC),RIP Winston (Sun), RIP Lady PLEASE TAKE 5 MINUTES &TOSS OUT ALL YOUR TEFLON NOW!
You guys make me laugh so hard sometimes! I couldn’t picture what the heck a dancing towel could be....and then I read on and started cackling and snorting in laughter (hubby is trying to sleep next to me and ISN’T amused). Then I watched The RB jingle bells video and repeated the cackle/snort combo hubby is so fond of. I can just picture you Gail, earplugs in, pillow tucked tightly around your head and all to no avail. The damn bells just keep on ringing. Another chuckle/snort. How misery does love company.
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
So happy to hear that the Dancing Towels brought you a laugh.

I had assumed that everyone just knew the power of the Dancing Towels ability to distract a raging Amazon!

A little more depth: By holding the Dancing Towel (recommend an older towel that a few extra beak holes will not be an issue) by one corner at shoulder height and lowering it until it sits a bit on the floor. NOTE: If held above the floor the Amazon will see your feet and legs and s/he will beeline to them. With slight twitches of one hand to get its bottom to move you will have a Dancing Towel (think RED cape to distract a Bull). The Goal is the same, place the Dancing Towel between you and your Amazon and twitch it just enough for it to slow dance and catch the attention of your Amazon. When the Amazon is busy murdering the Dancing Towel, the Humans can move to safety or at least a distance that is safely away from the Amazon until the rage releases her or him.

FYI: Dropping the Dancing Towel on your Amazon will only enrage your Amazon and you are now in far more danger. Remember, the Dancing Towel is for Distraction until your Amazon Cools Down!

Enjoy!
 
Last edited:

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
8,145
472
Parrots
Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
So happy to hear that the Dancing Towels brought you a laugh.

I had assumed that everyone just knew the power of the Dancing Towels ability to distract a raging Amazon!

A little more depth: By holding the Dancing Towel (recommend an older towel that a few extra beak holes will not be an issue) by one corner at shoulder height and lowering it until it sits a bit on the floor. NOTE: If held above the floor the Amazon will see your feet and legs and s/he will beeline to them. With slight twitches of one hand to get its bottom to move you will have a Dancing Towel (think RED cape to distract a Bull). The Goal is the same, place the Dancing Towel between you and your Amazon and twitch it just enough for it to slow dance and catch the attention of your Amazon. When the Amazon is busy murdering the Dancing Towel, the Humans can move to safety or at least a distance that is safely away from the Amazon until the rage releases her or him.

FYI: Dropping the Dancing Towel on your Amazon will only enrage your Amazon and you are now in far more danger. Remember, the Dancing Towel is for Distraction until your Amazon Cools Down!

Enjoy!

Lol so, basically, it is like you are a bull-fighter ("TORO TORO"!) HAHA
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
YES, it is!!! :D:D:D

The only difference is that the Bull Fighter is facing a Bull of size!!

Those faced with a raged Amazon, which is a bit more than a bundle of feathers. Seems like a bit of a joke until that Amazon Chomps the Human.

The Dance Towel has saved me on several occasions. All Hail the Magic Dancing Towel. :D:D:D
 
OP
chris-md

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
4,349
2,119
Maryland - USA
Parrots
Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #13
Guys I can’t even with these stories!!:35::35::35: this misery really does love company. He’s so frustrating right now.
 
OP
chris-md

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
4,349
2,119
Maryland - USA
Parrots
Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #14
Gail, that video has Parker written all over it! We blush when we hear the bell because we know half the time he’s masturbating while feeding and ringing the bell :vomit-smi:smile004::smile004:
 
OP
chris-md

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
4,349
2,119
Maryland - USA
Parrots
Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #15
Owlet, you get me! Must be an Ekkie thing, because his hormonal behaviors have changed so often. It’s made it hard on a forward looking basis to identify when he’s hormonal. Half the time it’s more like “crap, he’s being strange, wtf is up??” And only after it’s over and. A couple months has past that we look back and realize it was hormones.

When I first picked him up 4 years ago from his prior owner, he had a rope toy COVERED in regurgitation Inches thick, clearly did it often. Doesn’t do that anymore, thank god. Then it was aggression, then moved to primarily masturbation, and this past year it’s been growling, low appetite, high energy, and clinginess towards my partner.

It does keep us on our toes for sure! Will be interesting to see how it evolves over time.
 
OP
chris-md

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
4,349
2,119
Maryland - USA
Parrots
Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #16
I need to revisit this thread. I thought I had this prior hormone bout licked but we’re back to it again. These breakout episodes can wear you down!

And in true Parker fashion, not everything is the same as it was before. He’s been very clingy and needy like he often is. But this time there is a lot of masturbating on his rope perch, and instead of having a low appetite he actually has a big appetite And in true Parker fashion, not everything is the same as it was before. He’s been very clingy and needy like he often is. But this time there is a lot of masturbating on his rope perch, and instead of having a low appetite he actually has a big appetite
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
Hey, we are enjoying round three of this odd years Hormonal activities! May Winter please set in or give up and become an early Spring!
 
OP
chris-md

chris-md

Well-known member
Feb 6, 2010
4,349
2,119
Maryland - USA
Parrots
Parker - male Eclectus

Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #18
Wait, what? Color me confused, I thought it could only happen once, maybe twice a year? Is this an extension of fall hormones?
 

SailBoat

Supporting Member
Jul 10, 2015
17,646
10,008
Western, Michigan
Parrots
DYH Amazon
Wait, what? Color me confused, I thought it could only happen once, maybe twice a year? Is this an extension of fall hormones?

We have been seeing vast variation in weather here. The driver for Hormonal activity is clearly length of day. That said, we common see little more than cloudy days, which lengthens the night (sleep period). So with this year's storms, we are seeing cloudy days (common) followed by bright sunshine (uncommon). All, of which has our Amazon off-schedule.

Just when one thinks there is a constant, life plays a switch-up. This last couple of days have been bloody crazy...

Long story short, yup, a continuation...
 
Last edited:

wrench13

Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Parrot of the Month 🏆
Nov 22, 2015
11,383
Media
14
Albums
2
12,567
Isle of Long, NY
Parrots
Yellow Shoulder Amazon, Salty
Gail, that video has Parker written all over it! We blush when we hear the bell because we know half the time he’s masturbating while feeding and ringing the bell :vomit-smi:smile004::smile004:

I feel guilty Chris. I GAVE that bell to the RB and Gail. Heehee always puts a smile onmy face to watch that video ( sorry Gail).
 

Most Reactions

Latest posts

Top