Bird body language

asagiyuu · Sep 4, 2018

Over the last couple of weeks I noticed that Hana will sometimes do this thing where she'll crawl under my neck and rub against my chin or my cheek and make a low chattering sound and shaking her tailfeathers. During this time she will also go under my hand and try to roll over on her back. She has not tried to bite. Does this mean that she wants to play? Should I encourage or discourage this behavior? I know that conures will sometimes like to "rough house" with each other.

noodles123 · Sep 4, 2018

How old is she?
I don't have a conure, but it sounds like bird sex (or at least foreplay lol). If I am correct , I would advise that you minimize contact during these times and redirect attention to a (non-sexual) toy or shared activity -NICELY. I am basing this on what I have seen in other birds...Anyway, if it is sexual, you don't want to scold or draw attention to the behavior, but you don't want to encourage hormonal behavior like this, as it can lead to egg-binding, self-destructive behaviors and aggression/resentment (towards the chosen mate who refuses to reciprocate). Please ensure that you are not petting your bird in a way that sends the wrong message---in cockatoos, only the head is safe, honestly...Most birds can make seemingly "innocent" contact from humans sexual...They are hard-wired to mate and reproduce (and they often live a long time)- that is why certain birds bond so strongly to one person...That is what they would do with their mate in the wild.

Laurasea · Sep 4, 2018

My GCC female does this, and to me it is just affection. When she is happy she makes that sound. She had never tried to mate with me. In her cage she masturbates and it is completely different, with very unique sounds rubbing and wing flutters.... So I guess it depends on what body part is doing the rubbing. For me she just rubs her face or side against me.

noodles123 · Sep 4, 2018

That is good then lol--- my cockatoo has never tried to actually mate with me, but I know that HER (my cockatoo's) behavior is sexual, based on videos I have seen (confirmed by her vet when I voiced my speculations). Honestly, my bird never even masturbates...with anything..ever.. (but she does get randomly sexual and she makes a low chatter and shakes a little-while gazing up at me and putting her head under my chin--no rubbing of tail or anything like that)---usually when she is sitting quietly in the sun and I pet her on the head lol. I shut her down nicely, before things progress, so dk where it would go if I didn't. Like I said, I have never had a conure, so I just based that on what I have seen in other birds.

I did look into conure mating behavior and tail flaring/ rubbing is one of the things they discuss. Also, according to at least 1 video, mating season starts in late-summer/early fall. BUT AGAIN---I don't and have never owned a conure.

asagiyuu · Sep 4, 2018

Ah right thank you, I should have pointed out that she is about 11 months old now, she was hatched on October 10th. It's generally been that she would rub her face or her side against my neck/cheek, but when she goes underneath my hand she will roll over on her back and attempt to hold onto my fingers with her feet and she will make a low chatter sound again. When she settles down on my shoulder again she often shakes her tail feathers briefly.

noodles123 · Sep 4, 2018

To me, personally (non-conure owner)...attempting to hold onto the hand (coupled with the rest) still sounds sexual at face-value (BUT--I may be envisioning something totally different than what is actually happening!!!)---I do think they can hit puberty around 9 months....BUT....like I said, I am not an expert on conures....Maybe this isn't as sexual in them as it is in other birds, or maybe I am just reading it wrong? I hope other members can continue to provide further insight.

LordTriggs · Sep 5, 2018

being 11 months it would be kind of early for sexual behavior, but could be an early bloomer. It sounds like it could be either sexual or just her idea of affection and play.

I'd for now keep an eye on it and if she starts getting hormonal or nippy then try to discourage the behavior

Bird body language

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