New Alexandrine Parrot - swaying head

[JoeJoe]

I rescued a Alexandrine Parrot this evening from someone and it has been swaying its head a lot it seems. Can anyone explain why the parrot might be doing this behavior?

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[Betrisher]

The Alex is in pretty poor feather and as you say you 'rescued' him, I'm guessing he's come from a poor environment. The behaviour seems to be the sort of ritualised thing some animals do when they've been kept in a bad way (usually without company or toys to keep their minds occupied).

I think perhaps a good diet and stimulation from toys and company will see him right. Of course, it wouldn't hurt to get him completely checked out by a vet, especially since he's a rescue (which implies his life hasn't been ideal up to now). He could be battling a heavy parasite load or be hatching an illness, so a vet visit would be good.

Congratulations on choosing to get an Alexandrine. They are WONDERFUL companion birds and ravishingly beautiful. Barney and Madge send happy squawks to your bird and wonder what his name is?

 

[JoeJoe]

Thanks for responding Betrisher

I agree that he is not feathered with healthy feathers. He was in a small cage without any toys. I am treating him with some great pellets, some seed and nuts. Also have given a spray bath this morning.

Is there any others thing that I can do besides a vet visit to get the parrot into shape and healthy? I wonder if this will come naturally, I give my parrots lots of love and stimulation. But any vitamin recommendations or anything would help greatly.

 

[Betrisher]

No - if you're feeding a well-balanced diet, vitamins really aren't necessary. Fruit and veggies are pretty important. My guys like apple, pear, peach, plum, pomegranate - just about any fruit in season, really. The only veggies they don't like are cabbage and the green leaves of spinach or kale (love the stalks). Give your boy some greens and fruits each day and he'll perk up in no time, I reckon.

NB. Don't feed onion, citrus or avocado - not recommended at all for birds. You can do a forum search on 'healthy diet' and get lots of recommendations for healthy treats.

 

[Weezerj]

I wasn't having much luck getting my new Illiger's Macaw to eat veggies....I was putting them in his bowl and he'd throw them out.....

Then I got wise (by reading on this forum) and acted like the veggies were for me. Suddenly they were quite irresistible to him and he HAD to have them.

Now we share cucumber, zucchini, bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, and snap peas nightly.