what is my Amazon trying to tell me?

[kateBird]

I have a 17-yr-old YNA. he is not a resue bird. he's a great amazon, loves my husband, and keeps me on my toes with his beak .

sometimes, when i spend some one-on-one time with him (so that we can learn to get along, and we are doing a great job) he would just stand right next to me, look me deep in my eyes and start a soft rumbling noise in his throat - something like a purr, i wouldnt call it a growl because he is by no means aggressive when he does this - which can last for about 3 seconds or less. i thought it was a cute way of communication so i make a similar soft rumbling noise in my throat. and then he would answer back. this back and forth communication could last for about 10 minutes until either him or i get bored or distracted.

i am just wondering if anyone has an amazon that does this, and if you have figured out what he is trying to say...? i starting wondering if maybe he was trying to "challenge" me somehow with this noise and i am unknowingly challenging him back? like i said, he is not aggressive when he does this. he usually just stands near me - no tail fanning, eyes pinning or wings stretched - and looks at me with what seems to be contented eyes. is this some kind of courtship? a one-on-one communication of some other sort?

is there an amazon language translator here?

[birdscomefirst]

Hi,
Many parrots make a purring sound when they are relaxed and happy. I've experienced it with Pionus parrots, quaker parrots, conures and amazon parrots. If you purr back to him, it is a nice gesture to your bird. Amazons in the wild will purr at each other as well as make little gurgling sounds. It is not aggressive and it is definitely not a growl.

You may even notice a little tongue wagging which is also a great sign of contentment. Many different types of parrot will open their mouths a little and wag their tongues back and forth quickly. Wag your toungue back and you will have a friend for life:-)

I often find myself communicationg with my parrots using their gestures :-)

Have Fun,
Bill

[Alyce Johnson]

My male LC 'zon does this with me. I do think it's a bonding and/or courtship kind of thing, to some extent. Sometimes he will fluff himself & shake himself out, waggling his tail. The way he does it makes it clear he's contented, not aggressive. I love it when he purrs & makes his pretty little "chirping" noises at me!

[kateBird]

thanks for the replies!

I was joking with my husband that our amazon has fallen in love with me, i didnt think it might be true. lol. This bird has bitten me numerous times (last of which was a small puncture wound at the base of a pointer finger which as left half of my pointer finger somewhat numb - going to the doc), but has not ONCE bitten my husband. I've read and heard that birds usually bite their most loved person more than anyone else....i guess thats the case between me and pico (the amazon).

pico does to the tongue-waggling thing, which i do back. he just stares at my mouth when i do it with BIG eyes. lol. whenever i enter the room, and he is in his cage, he does a little trill and opens his wings and tail briefly, like a stretch.

i just wonder what kind of bond he has with my husband? pico has never bitten him since we got him...i guess its more of a respect thing? like he thinks "okay, this guy is bigger and taller, he is the alpha person here.."