African Grey non-aggressive hissing?

[GreenWing]

Chance has been doing this weird hiss sound... it's not a threatening or angry hiss (like a Cockatiel hiss)... it's more like a very light hiss/breathy sound... sort of like a "shhhhhhhh" while she's perched on me, or near me while in her cage.

Does anyone know anything about this? Why is Chance making this light hiss sound? I've Googled around and from what I gather, it may be a playful behavior? Maybe it's a noise she picked up? Again, she is not being aggressive or displaying aggressive behavior when she makes this interesting sound. I made the noise at her, and she made it back at me, lol

Anyone with experience with Greys know why she does this?

[Wolf]

Can you make a sound file of this sound and post it so that we can hear it?

[GreenWing]

I can try with my phone/digital camera... the best way I can describe it in the meanwhile (my spouse has heard it, too) is a light "shuuuussh" sound, made through your teeth. I made the sound to her and she repeated it back to me. No ruffled feathers, no signs of aggression... just a noise she makes.

Perhaps it's something not to be too concerned about if she is repeating the sound when I make it?

[Pajarita]

Maybe the previous owners used it to shut her up. My grays don't do it but then they make different sounds (Pookie likes to make a sound like two pieces of wood been banged against each other -like a sharp 'clack'- and Sophie makes the 'secret' sound -she goes bshbshbsh like what you would hear when a person is whispering to somebody else near you and you hear it but you can make out the words), in my personal experience, most grays have their own particular sounds -at least, all the ones I've had did.

[GreenWing]

Maybe the previous owners used it to shut her up. My grays don't do it but then they make different sounds (Pookie likes to make a sound like two pieces of wood been banged against each other -like a sharp 'clack'- and Sophie makes the 'secret' sound -she goes bshbshbsh like what you would hear when a person is whispering to somebody else near you and you hear it but you can make out the words), in my personal experience, most grays have their own particular sounds -at least, all the ones I've had did.

Yeah I think you're right! She makes this noise when she wants attention, like her other babbling. I did read online that a Grey hiss can be an affectionate and playful noise. She actually has named me "Mew" (Ma?) whenever she wants me close and she makes this noise at me. She just said the "Mew " noise, then hissed, then said "pretty bird" so I think it's just one of her babbles, like your Sophie's secret sound (so cute, BTW). And Chance makes a clock noise like Pookie does... it's like a clocking of the tongue sound.

[rainbowtigress78]

I am so glad someone else's African does this! I just got mine a few days ago and he is about 10. I noticed today he was making this low hissing sound like in a whisper form when I was holding him. He is happy and bobbing his head being sweet and starting to get over being shy and starting to talk. I kinda got worried something may be wrong but mine does exactly as you described so I feel much better now! It's really cute though. He is starting to do all kinds of funny stuff! I wasn't fond of his price but when the guy sent me pics of him laying on his back with hat and bandana on then a pic of him in glasses I was sold!

[Pajarita]

LOL - He sounds delightful!

[GreenWing]

I am so glad someone else's African does this! I just got mine a few days ago and he is about 10. I noticed today he was making this low hissing sound like in a whisper form when I was holding him. He is happy and bobbing his head being sweet and starting to get over being shy and starting to talk. I kinda got worried something may be wrong but mine does exactly as you described so I feel much better now! It's really cute though. He is starting to do all kinds of funny stuff! I wasn't fond of his price but when the guy sent me pics of him laying on his back with hat and bandana on then a pic of him in glasses I was sold!

Hahaha what a cutie! Yep Chance still makes the hiss sound when she is on my shoulder and we're cuddling, it's just like you describe, like a whisper. I've read about it on African Grey forums; it's basically a rebuke of sorts when they want even more of your attention. I love it, actually. I make the sound right back!

Your CAG sounds awesome, BTW. I'd love to see pics!