Repetitive flipping over

[ImmunoGoblin]

I brought home a rehomed Orange-Winged Amazon about 3 weeks ago. He appears healthy and relatively well-adjusted. He likes to be handled, talks and sings, eats well, and his feathers are in good shape. Sometimes, when in his cage, he does this sort of compulsive/repetitive "flipping over" - he steps from one perch to another perch to the front of the cage, to the top of the cage (upside down), then back over. Basically he's doing big loop-de-loops. He doesn't seem to be unhappy when he does it, but should I be concerned that it's a kind of neurotic of obsessive behavior? He does it quite frequently and for long periods of time when he's in there - but he also rests, checks out his toys, eats, etc.

 

[Birdman666]

Either he got dropped on his head repetitively as a baby, or HE'S JUST BEING A GOOFY PLAYFUL AMAZON.

Hard to tell which one. If he doesn't act otherwise brain damaged, he probably wasn't dropped on his head. (Though I'm sure there will be times when your patience will be tested, and you will be tempted...)

Enjoy.

 

[MonicaMc]

It is possible that it is an OCD behavior for him, which could have manifested itself in a previous home.

Likewise, it could also be playful behavior.

 

[ImmunoGoblin]

Thanks guys! It doesn't seem to cause any stress or be associated with any stress, so I'm probably just worrying over nothing. I wonder if maybe it's a way of burning off excess energy for him. He was flighted until he was sold to me and then was clipped severely right before I bought him (not my choice). Maybe the sudden inability to fly makes him want to do something else to move. I make sure to give him tons of out-of-cage time, but there's only so much exercise he can get with that strong of a clip. He sinks like a lead balloon

 

[Birdman666]

My CAG does stuff like this all the time.

My amazon hangs upside down by one toe, attacking three toys at once...

It's NORMAL.

 

[Kiwibird]

I've actually never met an amazon who doesn't do this from time to time, some more than others. I've always looked at it as a playful way they release energy, kind of like how little kids can just run around doing nothing in particular. Kiwi will actually sometimes get to the top and hang upside down like a big green bat while shaking his head and making happy noises. My moms DYH, who is a VERY active flighted bird, does this a lot. She is a high energy bird and I think it just a different method of burning energy than flight for her. Also keep in mind, behaviorally, amazons are a bit different than other birds. Some of their normal, healthy, happy behaviors would be slightly neurotic and of concern in other species.

If he has an over-abundance of energy and is not flighted , try simulating flight for him. Basically, hold his feet and 'run him around so he's flapping his wings. Since he's on you're hand, it doesn't matter if he's flighted or not, and it's building up those essential muscles if you plan for him to be flighted after his feathers grow back. We do this every day with Kiwi, and he LOVES it. He never learned to fly, and refuses to do so, but we keep him strong and healthy with faking flight for him You can also try (under very close supervision) allowing him to run around on the floor. Not only are zons curious birds, but even short distances to us are quite a ways to a bird, so it's great exercise and mental stimulation for them to run around. However, it must must must be supervised with everyone in the home 100% aware the bird is on the floor. You don't want any chance of an accident.

 

[PetoftheDay]

He is just practicing for his eventual career in the circus, that's all! Does he have perches outside the cage where he can do flippy stuff as well?

 

[ImmunoGoblin]

Thanks guys - yes, he's got a big play stand on top of his cage, and there are perches on top of/the outside of all 3 cages (we have another Amazon and a cockatiel in the same room). And a java tree in the kitchen where we usually hang out.

I'm hoping he'll be able to have at least some flight when his feathers grow back in. We finally relented and gave our young DYH a very gentle clip. It is helping him to be less aggressive and has seemed to calm him down a little bit, and it has put the two Zons on more equal footing.

 

[henpecked]

I'm with kiwi. That's common behavior for zons. I usually associate that with stress. I M O that's not a good thing.

 

[Kiwibird]

I guess it does depend on the small details of how they're going about it. For Kiwi, it is definitely a happy/play thing, but he does do more than just run circles. Lucy does it almost as a greeting. I always took it as she was happy to see whomever as she makes happy noises.

I guess if the bird is putting off that "anxious" vibe, it could be a negative thing (?). I've just personally not seen it when it wasn't associated with other happy noises and behaviors.

 

[TessieB]

Barney does the same thing when she's excited to see me. It is an attention-getting behavior that I encourage-because she needs the exercise. All pet birds learn how to get our attention either through action or noise. I like the action part because you can teach the active bird various active behaviors, and hopefully keep the noise level down at the same time. I also supply foraging toys to keep her busy. She loves using her beak and feet to pry out a food morsel

However, it the bird is making odd noises while doing this type of behavior and this type of behavior goes on for hours then you have a neurotic bird-sorta like a weaving horse. To be perfectly honest, I'd rather have a bird move about than pluck itself bald. In any case, you need to make sure there are no stressful components forcing the bird to act in this manner. Is the cage located near the window? Is the family cat staring at the bird from across the room. Does the family dog barge in the room or bark endlessly out in the yard? You'd be surprised at what some birds are sensitive to. Does the bird have a hidey hole to find privacy? Remember, all zoos supply an area where animals can hide from prying eyes, and our pet birds need a private area, too.

I like to supply a 'wall of toys' for my nervous birds. I did this for my weaving cockatiel, Mr. Spot, and he immediatly took advantage of the wall I created. For several months all you could see of him was his eye looking out from a crack in the wall of toys. Lo and behold in the last few weeks he's started to come out of his shell. He's even coming out of his cage and getting on the stick. Quite a feat for a bird who weaved for hours and hours when I originally brought him home.

Always respect a pet's need for privacy, and if they want to play I say let them play!