Weird pecking... what do you think it could mean?

[Teru]

Hi guys, This is a video of my 6 month old handfed 'tiel . I was wondering if you have any insight on what this behavior means:

http://youtu.be/yFUGEwM1P9M


He's been doing it for months now! And it is really getting in the way of training and socializing.

At first i though it was agressiveness, but I've seen him agressive and it's quite different from this. Plus he actually comes to us to do it! And now I've seen him do it to food bowls...

In the video I'm getting close to him on purpose so he'll do it, but he does it all the time. He'll be hanging out and then suddenly he'll start. He doesn't seem angry, as he keeps chirping and whistling, and he doesn't really bite down, is it preening of some type? Is he scared?

I feel like a bad mother for not knowing what this is...Thanks for your time!

[marie83]

Harlie does this too. She usually does it when she doesn't like something I am doing, a month or so ago she was on meds and did it to me loads when I had to catch her. She would also take my finger in her beak as if to bite me but she never bit, she just ran her beak up and down whilst changing the pressure she was putting on. She has never done it before as I've never used force before this to get her to cooperate so I considered it as a warning that she might bite but she didn't actually want to do so. I have never had this behaviour with any of my other 'tiels.

They will also wipe their beak to clean it but both my 'tiel and yours behaviours seem a little different to the beak cleaning.

Other than that I don't really know so I will be interested to hear other peoples theories.

[pennyandrocky]

my does this when he's happy.like right after he takes a nap on me or when i've fed him something he really likes.

[Ursibear]

I'm no 'tiel expert but as far as i understand, the position of his crest will tell you what mood he is on Straight up for relaxed and friendly, stuck down for hands off. In the video he seems to be friendly-playfullish (just y opinion)
Nice baby btw

[sidech]

On your face and ear, he is preening you. I notice he does it everytime you say something (I don't understand the word but he seems to...)

It looks like you've taught him to preen whatever is in front of him on command...

Just my impression.

[Teru]

She usually does it when she doesn't like something I am doing

I used to think so too, but then he started doing it to food and to me when i was just sitting there...

my does this when he's happy..

In the video he seems to be friendly-playfullish (just y opinion)
Nice baby btw

I'm so confused! I just can't tell if he's happy or annoyed or angry when he does it...

On your face and ear, he is preening you. I notice he does it everytime you say something (I don't understand the word but he seems to...)

It looks like you've taught him to preen whatever is in front of him on command...

That's what I thought at first. "oh how sweet, he's preening me". But i doubt he's preening bowls and my hand and everything else In the video i'm saying his name, and maybe some spanish words hehe, but believe me I don't need to speak for him to do it.


I feel so bad because we've been spending less time with him because of this. He just won't stop!


thanks for all your thoughts!

[marie83]

Spend more time with him but ignore him whenever he does it and praise him whenever he doesn't. it may take time but the tables should start turning bit by bit and he will do it less.