African Grey tail wag

[GreenWing]

To perk my spirits, I visited with some African Greys this week in need of new homes (I'm considering doing some volunteer work with rescues). I was charmed with one Grey in particular - he eagerly stepped up for me, and then did this constant tail wagging. It was hilarious. I've heard different things about the Grey tail wag, that's it's a sign of happiness but does anyone know for sure?

[Pajarita]

Well, question is: was he actually wagging his tail or was he trying to masturbate?

[GreenWing]

As soon as he stepped up onto my arm, he started the wagging, it was constant back and forth. The clerk who worked there just said, "Oh, he does that to people he likes." But apparently this Grey, a DNA sexed male only likes women and won't let any man handle him. In fact when the clerk opened his cage he stared the clerk down and wouldn't come out until he left the room.

But he hammed it up for me, wagged his tail and then um, he then started to rub against me as he shook his tail, and he was making those whiny noises. I did suspect it was a mating dance of sorts... but I've never had a bird actually rub against me.