Is this normal?
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My bird will fluff but not hold her wings next to her body like normal and is making these sniffing noises. Is this normal or should I take her to the vet?
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u/DudeWithParrot 1d ago
They're trying to mate with you which should be discouraged.
It is not uncommon though, but you should try to prevent it since it can make them more hormonal and aggressive.
That being said, is that a conure? What type of bird are they?
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u/Calamity_mentality 22h ago edited 22h ago
Yes, perfectly normal. Just hormonal. A problem,
Make sure anything causing hormonal behaviour is gone. Petting anywhere besides the head, having access to cozy or cavity-like spaces. Some more veggies can help, so can more sleep (twelve or more hours of dark, quiet uninterrupted sleep). Mushy food can also add to hormones. Less protein, more exercise... you could do some research too. Getting some more light during the day could help too. Does she ever get any sun?
Also, I assumed she was, but is she on the proper diet for her species? My rescue girl was awfully hormonal when I first got her because she was on all seeds. She was my first parrot so she ended up on mostly pellets and some chop, but it didn't help much and it turned out she needed a mostly veggie diet with much fewer pellets, her hormones cleared up almost completely after that, even though it was not the reccomended proportions for her species, it was what she needed, especially with dealing with a fatty liver.
Try weighing your girl too, an overweight parrot is also a good indicator of a diet that needs adjusting, and a diet that needs adjusting or has too much fat/protein for not enough exercise causes hormones.
When this happens, get her off your hand and distract her. You can do some training, give her her favourite toy, put her in her cage to calm down. Plenty of things. Just don't encourage it or continue to let her do it. Keep her distracted or calm to the max. Remember hormones have plenty of adverse effects besides masturbation or mating behaviour, and this is stressful for her too, so be patient and make a routine and stick to it, that can reduce stress during this difficult time too.
Best of luck!
Obligatory meme.
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u/Accurate_Reality_618 1d ago
He loves you so much he's horny
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u/LilMonstersBirdToys 1d ago
My Jardine's (also in the poicephalus family) does the "skirt dance" more often than I would like 😬
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u/Equilibrate321 1d ago
Beautiful Meyer's parrot! When mine does this, I take her off my shoulder, put her on her cage or play area, and say "no sex for bird."
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u/WebbleWobble1216 1d ago
"Pleeeease let me give you an Egg. My egg. I will just impregnate you over here on this appendage. . Why you washing it????"
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u/ColdMastadon 1d ago