Sexual Behaviour in a Green-Cheeked?

[BirdbrainJan]

Hi all,

I read that GCCs don't reach sexual maturity until one year old, but in the last few days, Franklin seems to be showing some more sexually oriented behaviour. Is this normal? He/she is almost 5 months old now.

Yesterday, Franklin was playing on the back of the couch, behind my brother and I, and I heard some cooing and chirruping. When I turned around, Franklin had backed right up with (her?) vent pressed against a knitted elephant who was on the couch. S/he was looking back at the elephant, and was reaching to grab its leg to encourage it to hop on. Poor elephant! I picked Franklin up right away and moved her/him away from the elephant. So I thought that was fairly indicative of Franklin being a female (Frankie), until today.

Just as I was getting ready to write this, Franklin was playing in front of the laptop, chewing at the lights as usual...but then s/he climbed up onto my hand, and was definitely rubbing his/her vent against my thumb knuckle. Hmm. That was also interrupted right away, but now I don't know what to think.

Is this normal? Is this too early to be showing sexual behaviour? Is Franklin a guy or a girl? Has anyone else had "confused" birds who were "maturing"?

[Rue]

Sounds like sexual behaviour. My 'tiel hen does the same thing - the one that lost her mate.

Maybe Franklin is precocious or older than you thought?

It's normal behaviour, just ignore it unless it gets excessive. Then a visit to the vet might be in order, in case something else is up.

[bmsweb]

Is this normal? Is this too early to be showing sexual behaviour? Is Franklin a guy or a girl? Has anyone else had "confused" birds who were "maturing"?

Hi if your bird is lifting its tail and exposing its vent I'm pretty sure Franklin is a girl and as far as the behaviour being normal, yes its perfectly normal, so nothing wrong with your bird. GCC mature very quickly. Sounds like she is practicing LOL

[MandyG]

Hi if your bird is lifting its tail and exposing its vent I'm pretty sure Franklin is a girl and as far as the behaviour being normal, yes its perfectly normal, so nothing wrong with your bird. GCC mature very quickly. Sounds like she is practicing LOL

For the same reasons I'm thinking that my Gold Cap Conure is female. His/her previous owners used to grab ahold of its tail and pull up in a petting sort of way. They said it really liked that. The way he/she backs up to me asking for the 'tail stroke' I believe it's more of a sexual behaviour. Pele is also 9 years old and is definitely sexually mature though. Once I know the results of the DNA test I'll hopefully be able to give more advice!

[bmsweb]

The way he/she backs up to me asking for the 'tail stroke' I believe it's more of a sexual behaviour.

You guys have such naughty Conures, not like my pure and innocent 7 week old Belle

[Azure Hanyo]

The way he/she backs up to me asking for the 'tail stroke' I believe it's more of a sexual behaviour.

You guys have such naughty Conures, not like my pure and innocent 7 week old Belle

Archimedes tried to um...mate with my daughter's teddy bear once...

[Kim S]

It can start very young. My cockatiel Guus is 7 months old but he is definately a male. He tried to mount one of the young birds we had in the livingroom to sell. She was only 8 weeks old, but he was sure she was the one

[captwest]

All of my "pet" birds are female and they all BEG for it usually in AM/PM, i would suggest that you not encourage this behavior, stroking or rubbing their back and under their wing will just turn them on, the problem is that this could lead to egg laying, no big deal as it's natural enough in mated pairs however there's nothing to be gained as far as your birds health is concerned, how would you like to have your pet die as aresult of being egg bound? Yes i quess some might think it's cute and your hen will definately enjoy it but please think of your birds long term health. RW

[BirdbrainJan]

Thanks for the advice everyone, it's good to know that it's normal!

In response to captwest, I'm definitely not encouraging it, I'm aware that stroking under the wings or down her back can be inviting behaviour, so nobody who interacts with her is allowed to do that.

I was confused at first because she seemed to mount my hand after trying to play with the elephant (so I thought maybe she was a boy), but she's now tried to mate with the couch once...so she's definitely a girl!

[Rue]

...but think how cute tiny, flying, sofas would be!