New to the Forum and Have a Question

[Kearncraft]

Hello!

My name is Lisa. I am owner of Alice, a double yellow headed amazon who is 5 years old. I have had her since she was 6 months old. Initially when I got her she was extremely vicious (but I think this is how she was reared) but now is a completely different bird and very good company.

Anyway the reason why I've joined a forum is because I have a peculiar situation. I do find that not many people own parrotts and so if you have a question its hard to know who to ask - unlike if you have a dog more or less every other person can answer a question.

Alice seems to be acting very strange! It all started one night when I was watching TV and she was sat on my shoulder. As usual if you gesture to 'tickle' her she'll come over to your hand. I did this but she was by then sat actually on the sofa and started to push her belly into the sofa and sounded like she was having an asthma attack! She even made other noises which I can only explain as a chicken clucking intermitently and gently. Then she started flicking her wings and shutting her eyes! I was all ready to get her to the vets and then all of a sudden she snapped out of this whatever it was and was all normal. Now she has started doing this on a more or less guaranteed basis when I have her out. I've gotten used to it now and having spoken with one parrott owner he suggested it was an affection thing. I must admit it seemed a little bit sexual what she was doing and almost like she was nesting and I'm wondering whether she has reached 'the age' . It only happens when she seems most relaxed and you go to stroke her.

I have actually recorded her doing this on my phone too in case I need to explain because people just look at you as if you have two heads when you are more or less telling someone a story which seems like your parrott has taken to you as their mate!

I'm not worried anymore what she is doing as it just seems normal now and although at first I thought she was distressed I realise now this is probably normal behaviour. Can anyone explain though?

Hope to hear from someone.

Lisa

[MandyG]

Sounds like a sexual thing. Amazons typically reach sexual maturity around 3-4 years of age, but I have heard of some that reach it as early as 2 years of age and as late as 5. My Amazon is male, but my conure is a female and she does something very similar to that. She's 9 and has definitely reached sexual maturity. Sometimes when she's sitting with me she'll ask for a head scratch and during that she will lift her tail, put her front really low (to 'present herself' more) and she'll make soft noises and heavy breathing noises with her eyes flickering between closed and half closed.

When she does this, don't continue petting, it will encourage the behavior. Also, make sure you're not petting her back, tail, wings, or under her wings as it may encourage nesting and egg laying. Be aware that Amazons can get quite hormonally aggressive around this age, but as you said she used to be quite aggressive she may have already passed through that stage. Something for you to look out for and learn about just in case.

Captwest has many Amazons, hopefully he'll be around to give you some more advice!

[captwest]

Hey Lisa, Sounds as if Miss Mandy has about covered it. I think if you condone this behavior you'll have more problems later, when she starts this i'd quit petting and just ignore her, she's not doing any wrong (neither are you) but your the man in her life and it's just a natural cycle . If your still having problems please feel free to give us a shout. There's a couple of other threads around here that mention this so look around. Richard WElcome to the forum ,we always need a few more Amazon lovers. PS don't stress it's a seasonal thing and should pass soon.

[Kearncraft]

Hey Lisa, Sounds as if Miss Mandy has about covered it. I think if you condone this behavior you'll have more problems later, when she starts this i'd quit petting and just ignore her, she's not doing any wrong (neither are you) but your the man in her life and it's just a natural cycle . If your still having problems please feel free to give us a shout. There's a couple of other threads around here that mention this so look around. Richard WElcome to the forum ,we always need a few more Amazon lovers. PS don't stress it's a seasonal thing and should pass soon.

Thank you both so much for this info and I certainly take on your advice! She absolutely does what you say. I'm really glad I asked now and yes I did actually continue giving her attention because it seemed she was upset or something :0( I've wanted to know what this was for such a long time! Thanks again.

[zazanomore]

Welcome to the forum!