"in your face" play

Kiwi is 2 1/2 years old now.

Lately he likes to play(?) a certain way (I don't know what to call it), and I just want to make sure this is play and that this isn't some kind of hormonal or sexual behavior where I need to stop him or handle it a particular way. I do see this as some kind of affection behavior (I'm not complaining about this, just not sure what it is)

Basically, I'm on the couch/recliner and he climbs up on me so he's almost planted on my chest (he makes himself very hard for me to remove him, as he's not exactly standing on my chest, he lowers his body some and isn't responsive to my putting my arm behind his legs him to make him step up).

He seems to be licking my face mostly, and letting me kiss his beak, he's actually really cute in this state as usually he doesn't really like it when I pet him, but when he's on me like this, he doesn't seem to mind. I can pet his back, his head..etc

Sometimes he gets a bit too frisky where I'm afraid he might get nippy (I'm careful he doesn't bite so I move my head to each side of him if he gets too frisky to distract him or if his beak gets too close to my mouth, nose or ears), he hasn't bit me yet though has tried once or twice when I tried to take him off me but that's when he's already on my arm and I guess upset that I'm sending him away. I'm just careful and really gentle now when I take him off me and he doesn't usually get aggressive.


Anyway, I don't mind this behavior, it feels like he's being affectionate and it's the only time I can pet him, so it's kind of nice.


Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and any feedback. Also, I can't remember but I think I read somewhere that there are some parts I'm not supposed to pet as it may accidentally arouse them? Is that true and where should I be sure not to pet him? Right now it's mostly his head/back that I pet and the outsides of his wings. When he's on my shoulders and I'm walking around I often rub the side of my face on his side (outer wings).

When he's on a perch I can't pet him or he'll growl and often snap.


Thanks
Nathalie

This sounds like hormonal or sexual behavior, avoid allowing him to get close to your mouth and avoid tail and beak robing!

believe me eckies can become very crazy about it much more then any other parrot, my boy is just 1 1/2 years old and already trying to get close to my mouth.

I saw one ecky about 10 years old in thailand who will jump on you and will grave your clothes very tight so you can't get him off you Good luck

So just to confirm where exactly should I not be touching him?

You also mentioned not to let him get close to my mouth, why is that exactly? Is it OK that I kiss his beak (dry kiss on top of his beak), he likes the noise I make and sometimes he says "kisses" lol so we kind of play that way.

Hi, Nathalie!

In my opinion, a lot depends on the individual bird. I pet both of my ekkies (1 male, 1 female) on their heads, necks, chests, beaks and backs with no problems. Both like it, but neither displays any hormonal behavior as a result. Of course, if that changes, I'll adjust our interactions appropriately.

Some birds quickly get the wrong idea. Others, like the cockatiel I had for 18 years, never do.

As for the face play, kind of hard to call it without actually seeing his body language. But it could very well be hormonal. Any chance of someone catching it on video?

For what i have read:

When you do handle your Eclectus, avoid any petting or stroking that could stimulate it even more. When your parrot is behaving in this manner, avoid making direct eye contact

When interacting with adult Eclectus pets, care should be taken not to inadvertently stimulate their breeding instincts. Petting sexually mature birds on the back or under the tail can be misinterpreted by them as sexual behavior

Including kiss beak, that stimulate them for feeding each other

Ok thanks guys, lol reading the above sounds like, I don't know - like the Gremlins movie ("don't feed them after midnight", "never get them wet")

If one is accidentally stimulated do they ever go back to normal?

solrac13 said:

For what i have read:

When you do handle your Eclectus, avoid any petting or stroking that could stimulate it even more. When your parrot is behaving in this manner, avoid making direct eye contact

When interacting with adult Eclectus pets, care should be taken not to inadvertently stimulate their breeding instincts. Petting sexually mature birds on the back or under the tail can be misinterpreted by them as sexual behavior

Including kiss beak, that stimulate them for feeding each other

Click to expand...

This to me is the equivalent of saying if an animal (including humans, we are mammals after all) was never touched there would be no or less sexual thoughts or urges, pure balderdash imo! Now if an animal were already feeling amorous would I stroke them in such a way to get them rubbing and clucking? ...no! I think you have to know your individual bird, some animals have a stronger urge to procreate or a higher degree of "horny" some have breeding seasons where the same sort of touching you do at other times of the year produce a whole nother effect, again knowing your bird and watching their behavior is key.

natv said:

Ok thanks guys, lol reading the above sounds like, I don't know - like the Gremlins movie ("don't feed them after midnight", "never get them wet")

If one is accidentally stimulated do they ever go back to normal?

Click to expand...

Unless you are slipping ****** in the water dish he will calm down even if he gets super turned on. (Sorry couldn't resist )
Fact is birds can and will masturbate if the urges become too strong.

Are you kidding...the name of the drug given to help out men was starred out??? TOO FUNNY!

Ive got a 1yo, hormonal Alexandrine and ive done a LOT of research about how I can help him/ not do anything too "friendly" that might give him the wrong idea. All the research has given the same answers: no patting/stroking on the back, wings, or near the vent area (that one should be obvious!); stick to just head scratches whilst they are overly hormonal.

Nathalie Hi

You may be interested in reading this article
Sex And The Psittacine

solrac13 said:

Nathalie Hi

You may be interested in reading this article
Sex And The Psittacine

Click to expand...

Fascinating article, thanks for posting!!

My male Vos Ekkie was quite fond of the human mouth. He was never terribly aggressive but frequently attempted to inspect with his mouth. My female Vos nor any other parrot seems so inclined.

solrac13 said:

Nathalie Hi

You may be interested in reading this article
Sex And The Psittacine

Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing this article, Solrac13. It definitely emphasizes the importance of observing your bird's body language, correctly interpreting what it might mean, and adjusting your behavior accordingly.

solrac13 said:

Nathalie Hi

You may be interested in reading this article
Sex And The Psittacine

Click to expand...

As Scott said, fascinating article!! I have been concerned with my sun conure and his "obsession" with the papers at the bottom of his cage lately. I believe he is nesting and if you reach for the papers he will attack! (which makes cleaning extremely difficult and band aids necessary!) I will start my own thread with my questions...just wanted to say thank you for posting this and hope it helped the OP as is has helped me!