is my girl licking my tears for the salt, or to comfort me?

[HeadlessH00ligan]

so, i’ve been having a tough few weeks. one of my other girls passed away, and she was my very first conure, so i feel like i lost my best friend..
long story short, ive been crying a fair amount. every time one of my birds, navi, sees a tear, she immediately flies over on my shoulder and comes up to my face, licking up any tears that fall. she looked funny doing it, and it makes me laugh a bit.
is she doing this because she wants the salt, or is it because she wants to make me feel better?

 

[AMD77]

So sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time. As for Navi's behaviour I am NO expert on what she's doing. Hopefully someone will have answers for you. In the meantime, hoping you feel better.

 

[wrench1377]

For the salt and dont let her do it too much. Salt in excess is not advisable.

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

So sorry to hear that you are having such a tough time. As for Navi's behaviour I am NO expert on what she's doing. Hopefully someone will have answers for you. In the meantime, hoping you feel better.

thank you

 

[Jcas42]

So sorry for the loss of your bird. We all know how devastating that can be . I would bet that Navi is licking your tears for both reasons. It may have started because of the salt, but once she realized it made you laugh, that probably encouraged the behavior. I know my Quaker parrot definitely repeats behaviors when he knows they make me laugh. Our birds definitely do sense our emotions and I have a feeling Navi knows that licking your tears gives you a little happiness.

 

[HeadlessH00ligan]

So sorry for the loss of your bird. We all know how devastating that can be . I would bet that Navi is licking your tears for both reasons. It may have started because of the salt, but once she realized it made you laugh, that probably encouraged the behavior. I know my Quaker parrot definitely repeats behaviors when he knows they make me laugh. Our birds definitely do sense our emotions and I have a feeling Navi knows that licking your tears gives you a little happiness.

aww, i really hope so… thank
you!!

 

[HarleY 0625]

My youngest B&G macaw has a very bad habit of sitting on my shoulder with his beak so close to my mouth. It is something I do not participate in, and try to get him otherwise distracted, by holding a feed tray and offering,. I think for some reason the bird was obtained a little too early in weaning process (my fault, breeder inconsideration's) and hasn't quite understood the feeding process. It amazes me no end, as all my other parrots feed individually and I notice he is capable of self feeding when in aviary.
The point I am trying to make is birds sometimes get/form the wrong ideas, based on our actions, or what their upbringing caused. Be patient, yet be thankful that whatever your bird is doing, and you want to change/alter that; And time is the key. -remember the interaction you get with your bird is primarily based on the strength of the bond between yourself, and your bird, and vice versa