What is this behavior?

[GailC]

Shiva has recently started this beak tapping behavior, the clucking only happens when its dark or she is under a blanket. I have no idea what it means or if I should discourage it.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy1op78gFEQ"]Shiva the jenday - YouTube[/ame]

 

[syakti]

Hahahah! sooo CUTE!!! My GCC also does it from time to time. Especially when I tap on his cage ) I don't think it is something that you need to discourage but I am no vet. ) I found it very cute <3

 

[GailC]

It is adorable, she will tap on anything with a prompt.
I was just concerned it might be mating or nesting behavior. She is hormonal right now, going from sweet to monster in a second.

 

[Soyajam]

If you're under a blanket it could be.

It's fascinating - I thought she was actually tapping but it's the sound of tapping! Cheeky girl haha

If you notice the blanket, or spending time with the blanket increases any unwanted hormonal behaviour then that'll answer your question. If you're unsure then avoid using it, otherwise if it's not causing unwanted behaviour, and/or your bird is happy/content/calm doing it, then I wouldn't panic

 

[MonicaMc]

Many conures like to tap their beaks against things... could be the vibrations.


My first conure didn't exactly do any tapping... he just 'slowly' raised his head above him, stretching out, then quickly lowered his head (if it was a flat surface, he'd tap it! but if no surface in front of him, he'd just lower his head below his feet somewhat) and then make a "huffing" noise.


My second conure (and third) will tap on the the cage bars if you tap on them, too. He's also done tapping on other objects but it's usually easiest to get a response from him if it's his cage.