territorial strut pics

[elseg]

hi guys
just took some pics of the bird doing some maneuvers
i still pet him as he does this but use more caution as he can get nippy
i call this "the crazy look"

 

[elseg]

more pics of the sequence..

 

[Pheonix Rising]

It's hard to tell from the pictures but does he pin his eyes when he does this ( big then small repeatedly )
also is it only when on cage or in other locations to ?

 

[HRH Di]

When it's bedtime and Max isn't ready to go to his cage for the night he "gets tall", just like the last picture you posted. He's not a very big bird, but it seems that he gets twice his normal height at these times - stretches his neck and stands up as high as he can. He pins, too. It's kind of funny, but to make sure he has a good self esteem so we tell him that he's very intimidating when he gets tall.

 

[bogo1]

It is funny how birds communicate this. My Sam does the opposite. She gets short, flattens her head feathers and hunches a bit and struts back and forth with an attitude. She doesn't bite, but does seem highly offended if we interrupt this "big bird" demo for our own petty concerns.

 

[RGILLETTE5]

We have several birds. Each one defends it's territory differently. Many signs of the bird being territorial take large amounts of time to understand. They can often be confused with playfullness, excitement, jealousy, or not feeling well.

One: thing I always look for is pinning of the eyes. Most of us know this term, but for those of you who don't, it's when the eyes dialate and contract at a very rapid rate. Our M2 (Moluccan Cockatoo) is harder to judge with this, as his pupils and eyes are very dark. Our macaw, is very easy to see this.

Second: thing is "blushing". This really only applies to macaws. There are exceptions to the rule, but for now we'll leave it at this. Whether it be a Blue and Gold, Military, Severe, Hahns, etc, etc....they will blush. This can mean they are stimulated, jealous, or you'd better move quick.

Third: thing is body language. When a bird opens his crest and wings and broadens his stance, lunges, blushes (Macaws only), and eyes start pinning...you're gonna get bit! Make no mistake about it, there is something they don't like. Our B&G does this if I wear a hat. Our M2 does this if you wear glasses. Our quaker does it if you are near his cage and he doesn't know you.

He's really upset in this pic. I purposely put my hat on to demonstrate

Fourth: thing is feathers. LOL, birds can move their feathers like you or I do our eyebrows. Cockatoos use their crests and wings as a sign of "I'm bigger than you". Our B&G will raise up two sides of his head feathers. I call these the horns of doom. See the pics below!

I had my glasses on...see, he doesn't like those!

See how each side of his head feathers are up?

This is not to be confused with a happy bird.....when they're happy, they will raise ALL their feathers. Giant blue q-tips

On the subject of feathers, birds will sometimes tag you from behind, or when you're not looking They do this in their flocks in nature too. If one large parrot does not like another.....or.....the other has offended in some way. When they turn their backs they will pluck tail feathers out. It's like you telling someone to go to hell. Same thing for them.

Sorry for jacking your thread, but maybe someone can get some useful info here. The first pic is my boy....love him to death and have the scars to prove it . He will do the same thing around his cage or if he doesn't know you. Our M2 doesn't bite, he will let you know with his body if he disapproves of something, but once you figure it out....you'd better be ready to be smothered in love

 

[nofearengineer]

LOL, Rgillette...your BnG looks like he has an afro in that pic!

Great post with very good body language cues.

 

[lisamarie973]

Great Demo!! Loved them.

 

[RGILLETTE5]

We actually rescued that B&G. He came from a good home, just didn't have stability due to the owner being evicted. He was given to us, and now we are working on so******ing him with the family. There has been huge amounts of progress since we got him. However, the afro thing is quite common lol. He does it around everyone, but me...(Unless I'm wearing that darn hat).

Thank you for the replies. I sure hope it helps someone understand these wonderful creatures. They are a lot of work, but so worth it in the end.

The only two things I can say to sum this up is: The bird picks the owner, not the other way around. And you can see love in a birds eyes if you look close enough