Does she see me as her mate?

[GreenWing]

Tiki has become... obsessed with me. She always flies from her cage and lands on me. She did it over ten times today. I put her back, and she flies right back on me.

She'll screech when I leave a room.

She always wants to be with me. I spend the most time with her... so she has bonded with me.

I want her to be a little more independent, though. I can't have her on me at all times. Why is she so needy? Does she see me as her mate?

Any advice?

[Eurycerus]

From what I've read yeah. She and most pet parrots, grow up more with humans than other parrots. So it makes sense that she sees people, specifically you, as her mate and as a viable partner to bond with. Be sure to never respond to her screams! but I bet you know that. Since she's young you want to make sure you don't encourage annoying behavior. Also any hormonal behavior should be discouraged. If she exhibits it set her down and walk away.

My Senegal is experiencing, still!, some very hormonal behavior. My parrot prances about with her wings away from her body and makes funny noises. She also says "Pretty Bird" when doing her mating dance. She definitely views me as a potential mate and does her best to woo me. She's probably pretty sad that I don't respond in kind.

[liz]

I don't think so. I think she sees you as her best mommy.

Myrtle is an independant little girl. When she can't find anything to get into she is on me. On my shoulder, on my back or hanging with one foot off the bottom of my shirt. I guess she thought I was going to find something fun to get into. She sees me as mommy.

I had two Lovies. Tweetle Dumb (RIP) was the submissive of the two boys. Though he ate on his own, Tweetle Dee fed him. When I opened the cage door Tweetle Dee would always get in front of Tweetle Dumb. They were good buddies.

[marie83]

How old is Tiki? If she was hand raised then yes she probably does see you as her mate.
Ollie was the same, all he wanted was constant attention when we first got him, literally we couldn't do anything without him wanting to cuddle.
Nowadays he still prefers to be with people but he will go off and do his own thing too but we had to teach him that doing other stuff is fun too. Loads of stuff to do in the areas she is allowed in, toys, opportunity to forage outside the cage occasionally helps as they go looking for the food even if there isn't any to be found every single day- basicly it helps with getting them to show an interest in their toys (Don't over do the treats if you use food as motivation to go back in the cage, you need her to still be hungry). Give her stuff to make a mess with etc. If she isn't naturally playful you may have to spend time playing with the toys with her to start with.

Good luck.

[liz]

I still see it the other way. Myrtle tries to feed me but I also see her feeding Rambo. (He actually takes it.)

I think she just needs to find other things to do than ride on your shoulder to see what your getting into. I would not worry about it.

They grow and change from day to day and expand their interests.

[marie83]

I still see it the other way. Myrtle tries to feed me but I also see her feeding Rambo. (He actually takes it.)

I think she just needs to find other things to do than ride on your shoulder to see what your getting into. I would not worry about it.

They grow and change from day to day and expand their interests.

I think it depends on how they are reared tbh, theres no reason why they wouldn't try to feed other members of their flock but hand raised birds tend to be imprinted on people and don't realise they are a bird. Although birds are supposed to be quite loyal they don't all mate for life and will change loyalties sometimes or even quite frequently at times. Ollie will try courting both me and my boyfriend. I believe the old world species are supposed to be a bit more loyal and switch loyalties alot less often then the new world, though I haven't heard much about this so don't quote me on it.

[Eurycerus]

Ollie will try courting both me and my boyfriend. I believe the old world species are supposed to be a bit more loyal and switch loyalties alot less often then the new world, though I haven't heard much about this so don't quote me on it.

Yep my Senegal does that too. I'm hoping it is seasonal and will go away after summer's over because it's a tad annoying to have to interrupt our together time by me setting her down and ignoring her till she calms down. It's quite a sight to behold though. I was extremely confused the first time she did it.

[marie83]

Well it may not be 100% seasonal, they can get the urge at other times of year or at least Ollie seems to, I cant say I've noticed it with any of my others but the rest haven't been as tame as my little GCC. Whether thats down to our weird weather patterns, dominance or what I don't know though. I believe the green cheeks breed when there is less daylight rather than more so it could be the fact it's been so cloudy and gloomy alot this year, it may be tricking him into believing its a different time of year. He is only 2 1/2 so I haven't had the chance to see if there are any patterns to his hormonal behaviours yet. I'll report back in a few years lol!

[Eurycerus]

I asked the lady I got Nika from and she just never responded :/ Thanks lady... but she only had Nika for six months. I have no clue who the guy is who had her for five years... I wish I knew.

I remember when I first got her wishing she could talk so she could tell me about her life, where she'd been, who she'd seen. It would've been neat.

[marie83]

I've often wished the same that they could tell me about their pasts. I've only known the past history of 2 of my birds, Ollie who we got directly from a breeder and Tico who I had to take off the parent 'tiels in order to save her life at a place I volunteered at. It appears very few people will be honest about the birds they give up Hopefully someone on here can give you advice specifically related to senegals. If not try contacting a few breeders but bear in mind alot will only have experience with breeder birds apposed to pets.