Naughty Naughty Parrot - Do I let him be?

Hi! I have a sun conure who is a little over a year old. Sometimes, I catch him being naughty with this ball. He rolls it in a corner of his playtop, sits on it and just rubs his rump against it. It doesn't bother me really, but I read somewhere that it is best to discourage this behavior. According to that article, it is not good for s parrot to be hormonal as it has health side effects.

Is this true? I haven't really seen a negative side to Boomer's hormonal period. He hasnt gone crazy, overly screechy or violent with me. He tries to regurgitate more often, but other than that, it's nothing unmanageable. Unless of course I haven't seen the worst of the hormonal behavior I've read horror stories of.

Should I let him be and have his naughty time?

Hi BoomBoom. How's this for a coincidence-- Pritti is doing the same thing with his little soccer ball. A couple of days ago I noticed he was getting hormonal and a few times tried to rub up against my hand. I never let him do that. Of course, this happens from time to time and I always put a stop to it if any of "me" is involved, even if I see the behavior that will lead up to it. I'll distract him with play, or pick him up and move him to his rope toys, etc. However, if he is rubbing against something like the soccer ball, I don't stop him. Since I don't have my eyes on him 24/7, I can't stop that all the time, so I let him be him when an object is involved. The phase usually comes and goes really quickly for him. As long as other bad behaviors, like aggression, are not accompanying it, I ignore it instead of making a big deal of it.

I guess I contributed to it because we were playing a couple of days ago and he kept rolling on his back to play and I was tickling and rubbing his baldy belly. I guess I was sending the wrong message, lol.

That's just IMHO.

That is a coincidence! Maybe Pritti and Boomer can swap techniques? Hmmm... or maybe not...

I pretty much do the same thing as you. If its a toy or something else, I let him have his fun. Like you said, we're not with him 24-7. If he does it with me (my finger specifically) I distract him. Like Pritti, his romp with the ball doesn't last. After 10-15 secs his ADD kicks in and he moves to the next activity.

I just wasn't sure because of that web article I read several months ago that said to discourage any type of hormonal behaviour in single parrots. Sadly I could no longer find the link.

Er ... he's not a child ... he's an adult tame, but nevertheless wild, animal.

Well yes, I know that. But judging from your answer, I think you completely missed the whole point of my post. I will quote and highlight below, for better comprehension:

BoomBoom said:

Hi! I have a sun conure who is a little over a year old. Sometimes, I catch him being naughty with this ball. He rolls it in a corner of his playtop, sits on it and just rubs his rump against it. It doesn't bother me really, but I read somewhere that it is best to discourage this behavior. According to that article, it is not good for s parrot to be hormonal as it has health side effects.

Is this true? I haven't really seen a negative side to Boomer's hormonal period. He hasnt gone crazy, overly screechy or violent with me. He tries to regurgitate more often, but other than that, it's nothing unmanageable. Unless of course I haven't seen the worst of the hormonal behavior I've read horror stories of.

Should I let him be and have his naughty time?

Click to expand...

Here is the link I was talking about: http://www.parrotplace.ca/sex_psitticine.htm

Middle section, it talks about how harmful hormonal behavior is to single parrots by keeping them in a constant reproductive state potentially leading to Hormone and Adrenaline Toxicosis. Whether this is accurate or not, I'm not sure. Which is why I am asking here. It certainly warrants more research and first hand experience from parrot owners.

I thought the article was well written. Personally I think that stimulating a single female is what they were focusing on in the middle section. A female's sexual organs enlarge when they believe it is a good time to nest. They also can become chronic egg layers when stimulated all the time.

It is important to be respectful to a bird and not do things that make him think you want to be his mate. But if he is sexually aroused despite your behavior, then he will find a way to release -- regardless if you take away his favorite "mates". If the ball is removed he may decide a perch will do.

I like the activities described in the article that owners can do with their parrots instead of touching them.

I routinely tickle Hahnzels belly and go after his feet playfully. Is the intermittant belly tickling a bad idea or is it okay to keep playing this way?

When I say belly I really mean his breast area about mid keel bone.

Thank you, BoomBoom! That article should be mandatory reading for all parrot owners. Among others. I found myself smiling while reading it, because so much of what is there, is what I, and so many others, have been saying all along. Anyone reading this, who has not read that, should.

BoomBoom said:

After 10-15 secs his ADD kicks in and he moves to the next activity.

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hahahaha. i know what you mean.

Thank you for that article. I am only halfway through it but so far it has been very informative. Thanks!

By all means, if there is real harm due to sexual behavior then it should be discouraged ... real harm such as egg laying or serious aggression. On the other hand, I think we need to respect that our birds still have their wild urges, even if we do not do anything, at least purposefully, to stimulate them. They also probably have urges just by being alive. I don't see why there would be a need to interfere with something as innocuous as an adult bird rubbing himself on a toy ball.

Even males can have enlarged sexual organs.... and cockatoos are prone to prolapses if they lay too many eggs or if they are just overly sexually stimulated (males included).

It's not good to encourage it, and if it gets out of hand, then you need to find a way to stimulate your bird in other ways besides masturbating. Doesn't matter if it's with you, a toy, him/herself, perch, dish, etc.



Considering the conure is around a year old, it is still technically a teenager.... many conures don't really become mature until 2-4 years in age, but that doesn't mean that a younger bird wont 'practice' and that there aren't young pairs out there reproducing before they are fully mature! (both sexually as well as mentally).

I have a budgie that's been "humpy" for over 7 yrs. it's comical and he seems to enjoy himself so I give him his (ahem) "alone time". His companion, another male, hangs around to eat the barf that inevitably comes.
Fortunately, I believe my conure is female, so All's she does is try to feed me.
It's nesting season, so, whatever!

Kalidasa said:

Fortunately, I believe my conure is female, so All's she does is try to feed me.
It's nesting season, so, whatever!

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I thought that both male and female Conures 'humped'.

They do, or rather both may find ways to masturbate in similar/same ways.

Thanks for all the responses. I thought it was a good article and helped to explain our birds' behaviors without anthropomorphizing them. I read it a few months ago and try to follow everything that was suggested in it although I tend to forget once in a while.

I have no problems with Boomer spending time with the ball, but I am concerned about him being in some prolonged reproductive state which as the article discussed, can be harmful. I'll strike a balance. When I see him do it too much, I will distract him. I work full time from Monday to Friday, so I'm sure he will have plenty of time to do as he pleases.

I found MonicaMc's post really interesting. That a teenager (which Boomer is at 15 months of age), can still 'practice' even before they are sexually mature. I guess that is why I haven't seen the scary hormonal behavior from Boomer. I've been bracing for it ever since I read the horror stories online. I am actually very scared it will be too much for me (or my neighbors) to handle!!! I hope he doesn't turn into a little terror lol!

I think there's a video on youtube somewhere of two african greys trying to mate... both of them are immature birds... and the male was trying to hump the wrong end! LOL

Apparently, it's a natural behavior, even in wild parrots... I haven't seen it myself, only heard it from someone else.


BoomBoom, if you know what to expect then you'll be better prepared for it when it eventually does arrive!!! So you'll probably do fine!