CAG question

[Clayton Acres]

I'm new to the board. I've owned my CAG for about a year....but here latley he tries to feed me. Why does he do this? If someone could help, I would appreciate it.

[TikusMom]

Sounds like you're his chosen mate! It's normal behavior for psittacines to allofeed their mate, and that sounds like what your guy is doing for you.
Hopefully someone with more experience with this behavior can help you discourage it.

[wildbird]

First off, you may need to change your bird's name, because the odds are she has chosen you as her mate because she knows that you are a male and that she is not. Feeding you regurgitated food is part of the mating process, a demonstration, if you will, of the ability and willingness to provide for babies. The best thing, I guess, is to not accept it. Also, not to stroke on her back or under her wings, because that kind of touching would get you thrown out of the bar, if you know what I mean. There are some websites but I don't know them that can go into detail, but you don't want to go into courtship rituals with her. I expect the food doesn't taste so great before it gets regurgitated, what with no salt and all. After, not so much even.

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by wildbird

First off, you may need to change your bird's name, because the odds are she has chosen you as her mate because she knows that you are a male and that she is not. .

Um not sure what information you have read. All my males and females will try to feed my husband and I . Gender doesnt play any part, tho the chosen mate does. Males will feed male, females will feed females. Our greys dont care about our gender...they are just looking for someone to love.


Touching on the back, under the wings or tail will encourage this behavior. When it happens, you can say "thank you" and place them back on their playpen or on the cage. NOT at punishment, but just to let them know you are not interested. They are only doing what comes natural to them.

[Lori~D]

Originally Posted by wildbird

First off, you may need to change your bird's name, because the odds are she has chosen you as her mate because she knows that you are a male and that she is not.
I expect the food doesn't taste so great before it gets regurgitated, what with no salt and all. After, not so much even.

.....WHAT????

[Clayton Acres]

Thank you everyone! It's nice to know what this means. I just turned and walked away when it happend. Just a little background......I am Marquee's 3rd owner, his 1st owner the man of the family didn't like when he made too much noise and would hit the cage......therefore he hates men. The 2nd owners didn't have much time for him and were having a child so we found each other. I enjoy him/her very much but I still can not pet or scratch him. He gets pretty nippy....as long as I go slow I can touch his tail feathers and his toes as long as he's willing ;) I was cleaning his cage the other day when he tried feeding me and I wasn't sure why.....so thank you to all. I'm glad to have found this group to keep me in the know.

[wildirish]

Lisa is soo right LOL! Sophie (think she is actually a boy) will feed us both and Earl feeds me whenever he thinks he can get away with it LOL! Definately sounds like Marquee loves you!

Earl was a bit like this, we are the 2nd home and he really wasn't handled in the first. It took some nips and growls but nw a year later I can pet him almost anywhere and tickle his feet and he actually walks the floor looking for me.

[Lisa B]

i just wanted to add that tickling his tail is not a good idea. Most do not like to have their tails touched....it would be like some one tryin to touch our butt

[Congobongo]

I have the opposite issue with my CAG. She starts acting like a baby bird (wings held out a bit and chirping) and pecks at my mouth like I am supposed to feed her. She will try to dig in my mouth I think for food. She is like 6-7 years old so, I am not sure why she does this and how I should react to it. I don't let her dig in my mouth just because our mouths have bacteria. I just don't know why she does this and how to stop it.

[Vilas]

Hiccup does this too..and a little dance. Loves to have the bottom of her feet rubbed.... go figure!