woodpecker behaviour

[smithy]

Hi,
I wonder if anyone can tell me why my little senegal taps his beak on perches,people and the table.
He looks like a woodpecker.
Thanks in advance

[Shani]

I could be wrong, but I'm guessing it's because he likes the sound it makes. Parrots love making noise after all. Do you react to him when he does it? If you do, then there's a second reason. He's learned that if he taps his beak on something, he a: gets to make a funny noise, and b: he gets your attention (the noise part applies to the table + perch I imagine, the people thing is probably more the 'attention' part of things)

I'm assuming he's healthy - nothing wrong with his beak or anything. If he's damaging his beak by doing this, or in any sign of distress whilst doing it I'd suggest consulting an avian vet about it, but provided he's healthy he's likely just found a fun game to play.

[zazanomore]

This is just a guess, but maybe it's an aggressive behavior? I've heard that some birds do that when they are defending their territory.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Some "beak banging" behaviors are normal... I've seen both scooter and scotty do it, in situations where it might "I want/own this" or "I don't want to go away from here". Usually the top of the beak, not the pointy part, contacts the surface being banged on.
.

[notscaredtodance]

My senegal does this too, usually on hard flat surfaces like tables, rarely perches or people. She does it when she's really wound up from playing, so in her case its excitement/aggression. She gets nippy when you play too much/too wild with her.

[smithy]

Thanks for your replies.
Ozzy is very healthy,nothing wrong with his beak.
He is an attention seeker though,dont think he does his woodpecker act out of aggression.
After reading through the replies I think its more than likely attention seeking.