Conure behavior I can't understand!

Hi everyone! after looking at forum posts anonymously I figured it was a good time to make an account and ask some questions.

Anyways, my question is about some behaviors/noises my green cheek conure does that I can't find any info about at all.

Kiwi is about two years old, I haven't had them sexed yet so I just call her she lol, and she is very affectionate and loves to be on my shoulder. She is a bit wary of people initially but warms up to them rather quickly. Whenever my boyfriend comes over she prefers him over me and this is where the weird behavior comes in. She gets under his chin, or close to his neck and makes a weird noise she usually never makes. It is like a low grinding chirp, and lowers her head(sometimes bobbing), sometimes fluttering her wings a little. She usually does it to my boyfriend and did it once to me recently.

Second, is when she's just resting on my chest or shoulder and I am singing or listening to music, she just shrieks loudly. Especially when I'm singing, she doesn't seem to get violent or aggressive as I'm still able to pet her, but she puffs up a little as well, I just think she's screaming cause she's excited from the music and singing but I could be wrong.

Finally, my bird often puffs up more around the neck and "dances" from left to right, sometimes when listening to music, sometimes when we approach the cage, sometimes when she sees new people. I know what the bobbing up and down means, but I haven't seen anything about them moving side to side.

Sorry about the long post, she's my first serious bird, as I've only ever had mostly caged budgies and I just want to make sure she's happy.

Thank you!!

Lydia

Hello and welcome to you and your conure! The behaviors you're describing actually sound like normal happy conure behaviors to me.

1.) Lots of affection with boyfriend -- it sounds like she really likes your boyfriend. Nothing wrong with that. THe sounds she's making as she's under his neck/chin sounds like sounds of affection/contentment/love. Birds make all kinds of sounds and seem to pick favorites -- it seems your bf is one of them. Congrats! That isn't always the case. Possibly the person who weaned your conure was a man, and therefore Kiwi is able to share affection with your boyfriend more easily than you.

2. ) Shrieking while you're singing -- in the wild, a flock will talk back and forth and sing and call together all day. You will never really hear a quiet moment unless eating. Your conure is just rising to your level, and yes, seems excited to be screaming just as you are. If you think about it, it is easy to think what she's thinking --
'my person is doing her call (singing), 'll do my call too because I'm her flock!'

3.) Swaying side to side - I have seen lots of birds do this, not just conures. Cockatoos and macaws do this, too. It can be a sign of play and excitement or assessing a new situation. When presented with a new toy I've seen cockatoos do this, unsure and trying to look as big as possible to the 'threat' until they realize it is a toy and de-puff. Puffing up can mean different things too, from excitement to wariness as well. It's important you listen to Kiwi's body language to make sure you are understanding what she's thinking.

Sounds like a very happy birb to me!

Ms. Bean gave some wonderful input. I agree... sexual maturity, mating urges, flocking calls... the Rickeybird des that sde to side stuff when excited!

I'm so glad you joined up and introduced yourself. Welcome to our flock. I look forward to getting to know you and Kiwi.

Annnnnnnnnnnnnd...
Pictures would be great!

Agree with you guys! My boys do that stuff when happy except the side to side sway.

Agree with all. My conures have both done the contented grindy sound thing, when feeling happy but unstimulated. Both also big puffer/bobber/swayers, sometimes going from foot to foot along with the side sway even, especially in the shower. I would refer to each of them as a 'chickenhawk' because, well...if you ever were to see the Chicken Hawk cartoons from the Bugs Bunny show, you'd get it (yep - I'm old.) I'd see it somewhat less with dancing and occasional cage aggression -- I really think it's more stimulation than all-out aggression.

Oh, and my first conure loved men and in particular my husband...to the point where he once flew off my shoulder to my husband's cousin at a party because they look so much alike, lol.

Thank you so much for all your help! And thank you for being so welcoming :01: