Conure Love Affair

[Blossom]

Hi everyone! My baby green cheek has developed a love affair with her toy bell. It's a large bell that hangs from the top of her cage, and she can fit her head inside. She rubs the part of her face right next to her beak on the clapper, which makes her head bob up and down really fast. I'll try and post a video later. She also talks to the bell while she does this and seems to enjoy this odd game. Does anyone have any idea why she does this? Any insights are much appreciated!

 

[wildheart]

Welcome to the forum! Spiritbird posted a thread about this specific problem - breeding. I will go and look for it and link you to it.

 

[wildheart]

Here it is:

breeding

VERY - EXTREMELY IMPORTANT!

[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]"Discouraging breeding behaviors:
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]• Don't let your 'tiel venture into dark places. This means no sleeping huts, no cardboard boxes, no nestboxes, no cupboards or cabinets, no under furniture. They will seek dark places out, so you need to stay alert!
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]• Don't pet your 'tiel anywhere except her head and neck! Other parts of the body are "sensitive" for birds, and will induce them into breeding behaviors.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]• Don't let your 'tiel stay up too late. Longer days (more daylight or artificial light) signal to your bird that it's breeding season. Limiting them to 12 hours of darkness and light will help.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]• Don't encourage them to masturbate. Remove any "favored" toys or perches until your little guy calms down.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]• If your bird is already in breeding mode, stop feeding her soft, wet foods.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]• As cute as it may be, don't let your bird regurgiate for you. Yes, it means he's desperately in love with you, but it's not good for him to be constantly frustrated like that. Just walk away or put him back in his cage when he does this. [/FONT]"

If you allow this behavior then some of them get more and more frustrated and unhappy.

If I was you I would change the entire cage setup. New toys, toys hanging at different places, perches moved etc. etc. - take her/HIS mind of it.

 

[wildheart]

How old is your 'baby'? After reading the article, is it the ONLY behavior that she is displaying?

If it is then I dont think it is something to really worry about, but to be sure - post the video.

 

[Crazy4Birds]

It sounds like she is just simulating baby bird feeding behavior even though she may be weaned. When Nicky was a baby (just weaned) he would gently hold on to my earlobe or finger and bob is head up and down really fast. He still does it sometimes but only when he is in super cuddle mode. It's really cute actually!