Body Language HELP

[Birdmom12]

Hello,

I'm new to the large parrot and Amazon world. We recently brought one home from a rescue after his owner died. Can anyone help me with what this body language might be saying? He does it VERY OFTEN for a few seconds at a time. He occasionally hisses when he's doing it. I am assuming its fear based but my lack of experience still has me wondering.

He does it even when no one is near him. We can be sitting 10 feet away and he will do it, the dogs can walk by his cage (they walk gently and ignore him) and he does it, even when his chosen person walks by he will do it.

Advice....

 

[chris-md]

Hello and welcome! We’ve got quite the Amazon community, so you’ll get an answer pretty quickly. I’m not Ana amazon snob so I’m of no help. But do have a question? As body language is better observed on a video than a photo. What exactly is he doing here? Is he flapping? Dropping his wings down by his side and just sitting there?

 

[Flboy]

Hang in there! We have a pile of Amazon experts(snobs) here! Advice is on the way!

 

[Anita1250]

It is a little hard to see what he is doing because the picture is sideways. Is he low to the perch with fluttering wings and pinned eyes? Mine does this when he wants attention. It is almost saying " Come over here, or I am coming over there!"

 

[Birdmom12]

It is a little hard to see what he is doing because the picture is sideways. Is he low to the perch with fluttering wings and pinned eyes? Mine does this when he wants attention. It is almost saying " Come over here, or I am coming over there!"

Anita,

What he does is he hunkers down low to his perch, wings out but not flapping just hovering there, his head is low to almost as if he is ready for flight. Eyes are usually pinned.

 

[Anita1250]

That is exactly what Sam does. I think it is kind of begging behavior. He wants something. Usually, Sam wants attention. He does it all the time, and when we go over to him, he stops. He sometimes kind of growls as well. He does it a lot when my husband comes home because they play rough together with bells and ropes, and Sam loves that. I really think he wants something. Try talking soft, or maybe giving a treat. See what happens.

 

[Birdmom12]

This might make sense now Anita Thanks!

I guess in his last home he would ride the dog around the house. When our dogs come in the room he does this. He also does it for his favorite person a lot when he sees him. I'll give the treat and talking a try see how he responds.

 

[noodles123]

I was so off on my first guess LOL (which is why I said I had no idea---yay for helpful Amazon owners!)
Now that I think about it, my cockatoo does something like this ---it looks a bit different, but it's like her version of "I'm thinking about flying because I'm so excited about what I see." Her wings don't stick out that far though, so it's almost unrecognizable in comparison.

 

[Birdmom12]

I assumed it had to be territorial or something as well Noodles! I figured he was trying to look big and intimidating (which it does) in an attempt to scare us away. We will continue to feel this out as an excitement behavior and see what it comes to.

 

[SailBoat]

It is a little hard to see what he is doing because the picture is sideways. Is he low to the perch with fluttering wings and pinned eyes? Mine does this when he wants attention. It is almost saying " Come over here, or I am coming over there!"

As so well stated above; "Come over here, or I am coming over there!"

Understanding Amazon Body Language is a mandatory requirements for a happy life with an Amazon! They expect you to know their language! You will be well rewarded by putting in the effort to learn the basics (See the Amazon Forum, the Second Thread highlighted in Light Blue) Understanding Amazon Body Language.

Parrots ride on animals is just not a good idea!

 

[Birdmom12]

Thanks Sailboat.

I have been referencing the body language thread... lack of experience isn't helping me. I'm glad others are here for the advice non the less!

I also agree about the dogs when I heard that I was surprised. He is VERY interested in our dogs though. Tells them to come here and whistles for them. As loving as my dogs are though...I don't think I trust them to be out when he is...Better safe then sorry. Luckily our house is big enough to have them in the basement for a movie while he comes out for a stretch.

 

[Anita1250]

Sam used to feed the dog. He realized that the dog liked his food, so whenever the dog came near the cage, he would put his beak in the food cup and throw all the food out for the dog. Really comical. Dog loved it.

 

[henpecked]

I would need to see a video to be sure but it sounds like you are describing something a hen amazon would do. It I'm correct , that's a bonding type behavior. In truth , shes displaying a submissive behavior.

 

[Birdmom12]

I will try and get a video. It’s still happening but not as often. We are told George is a boy however, we don’t have dna paperwork to prove it.

 

[henpecked]

Lol. I have lots of Hens with boy names.

 

[SailBoat]

And just as likely a few guys with girl names!
Happy that you stopped by!

 

[Birdmom12]

Sailboat and others perhaps you’ll have input on this...George has recently opened up to myself( who he ignored completely prior ) and continues to open up to my husband. The past two days George has taken a liking to flying to my shoulder. When he does this he sits nicely, makes sweet little noises, and has started to preen my hair. Occasionally though when he lands he hisses in my ear. Is this typical behavior? Or am I perhaps releasing emotions that are messing with him? When he does hiss I stop and just turn my head away but continue talking nicely to him. It usually last seconds and then he’s back to being curious.

 

[SailBoat]

Our twenty-one year old DYH Amazon has been with us for 5 full years and his best buddy is my dear wife. However, he will step-up to me all the time. Near every time, he will lung at my hand, become up-right and lift his foot to the ready position. Its his game regarding step-up.

Over the years, I have found that our Amazons all have their own Body Language Things that they have linked, created or added to their choir of Body Language communication tools. My position is that it takes three (3) different communication statements to confirm as specific overall statement. Example: Normal eyes, slumped body position with folded wings slightly extended and quivering is, I want to be with you, pick-me-up, etc... Whereas, Pinning orange eyes, as a start-point assures you had better pay attention to whatever the additional body language statements.

I'm not going to recommend that you not let him on your shoulder. Only provide a warning that with an Parrot on your shoulder, you are greatly limited on seeing the body language that he is using. Here, a hiss with normal eyes and general body position may just be a hiss. That same hiss with pinned and orange eyes means you need to be fully aware of what he is up too.

The reality is; Amazons are complex individuals that are smart and quick of mind. The more you are aware of and link they body language the more in tune you will be with your Amazon AND what is happening around you.

Your doing great and George is continuing to open-up! That is a very good thing!

 

[henpecked]

I cant help but echo the advice about allowing him on your shoulder. My longtime pet hen is content to be on my arm. I think she thinks shes closer to the action then.

 

[henpecked]

IMO I think you need to start setting some boundaries with him. Carefully pick your battles and be consistent. Amazons are very happy with a good leader.