What is my Sennie doing?

[Jong81]

Every so often, Jake will have a strange behavior that either takes place in the morning or at night before bed. He holds his wings out and down and opens and closes his beak. He makes his wings look like a cape I should say. Then he gently beaks my fingers and starts making a wimpering sound. It's the kind of behavior that makes you go AWWWW. Like it's the cutest thing ever. He looks and sounds adorable, but is it a negative sign of something. Like is he whimpering for a reason? Has anyone ever seen or heard of this behavior? Again, he's a little over 4 mos old - hasn't been DNA tested, but I think he's male. He's eating well from what I can tell. I would just love to know what it means.

[Monica]

Someone else guessed that your sennie was a female by the V shape on her stomach by the orange coloring... by this behavior, I'd say so, too! Though it could ALSO be a feeding response as in begging for food since it's still young. When my Casey is in the mood, she will hold her wings out slightly from her body, back up to something (usually a perch or dish), and make whimpering noises... Do know that females can be rough, too! Whoever said that females were always gentle? LOL

Jake is a Jacky? Oh no! I figured with how rough he/she was, he/she was a he, plus I just had a feeling, but I'm getting him/her DNA tested soon, so I'll let you know the final results on my girl/boy.

Check out these sites!
http://www.wingscc.com/aps/apsmail/senegal_sexing.aspx
http://www.exoticpetvet.net/dvms/challenges.html (do 'Ctrl + F', type in 'sengal' and hit 'Find' - slightly below the middle of the page)

Do know though that he is young for visual sexing, but it gives you an idea as to what to look for, and to see if it ever changes (if the yellow becomes more pronounced and no green specks, you'll know for sure it's a male without DNA sexing even if it's easier to just get it done - so to speak)

[tiger2]

Zazu, my grey, does that too. He will then reguritate on my hand. Sounds like your little guy loves you to me!

[Jong81]

Thank you Monica - I have seen that site. But I've read males and females exibit the same coloring until adulthood. It's not such a big deal to me - there are females named Jake ... I'm sure I've seen a few on TV shows. Probably some cheesey eighties one I used to watch like Miami Vice or something. Aww ... that would be great tiger2! I was told that Senegals usually only bond to one person, but Jake loves everybody right now. He's actually done that same behavior with my little sister, my older brother and especially my ex (Jake didn't know any better, but neither did I - lol).

[poi_lover]

My male Senegal does this too! It's so cute. It sounds like a whimpering puppy. The only other type of bird I've seen do this is a Brown Head. My Meyer's will regurgitate, but she doesn't whimper and hold out her wings like my Senegal.

[Jong81]

Thanks Donna,

Should I expect a change in eye-color when he gets older? Some people say yes, some say no. His eyes are currently a very pretty silver.

[kathleen]

I was told that quakers bond to one person also but I try to expose Pumpkin to my family as often as possible. He/she is about 6 months old and I hope he/she remains friendly. I bring him/her to my mom's most every weekend hoping that he/she remains socialized.

[Barb E]

My 3 yr old male Meyer's Buddy does all this also. He will regurgitate for me and then he drops his wings and starts the squeeking/wimpering sound. He starts moving around on my hand (looking for a good position I think). I don't let him find one! This is my cue to put him on his play stand and say no thank you and walk away.
He also has a spot above the front door in the transom that he will back upto and push his butt into with pinned eyes. I think he sees this as a possible nesting area.
This sounds like the same behaviour described for the female but I know Buddy is a male so maybe both sexes do the same thing? or my guy is confused about his role?

Barb

[poi_lover]

My Senegal is two years old and his eyes are light gray. We think they may be changing to a more yellowish color, but we're not really sure. I've seen five year-olds with gray eyes and two year-olds with yellow eyes, so I guess they can be either yellow or gray. Mine is an orange bellied Senegal. I don't know if that makes any difference in the eye color.

Originally Posted by Jong81

Thanks Donna,

Should I expect a change in eye-color when he gets older? Some people say yes, some say no. His eyes are currently a very pretty silver.

[Jong81]

Yeah ... Mine has an orange belly as well (duh ... Look at your avator Jonathan!). I didn't know there was a distinction. I'm not sure if mine is male or female - he does walk around my hand when he does it, but I think something has only ever come out of his mouth when my sister held him and he started doing it. I know young sennies do this to each other, so maybe he thinks we're family or even mates? I don't think it could be mating behavior in any way seeing as he's so young. No? Aww .. I'm at School right now ... I miss my little guy.