Beak tapping... what's it mean?

[mabird]

Hi all!

I'm sure this will be a fairly easy question for most BB members, especially cockatoo owners... What does it mean when Harley taps her beak on me? Sometimes it's on my hand, my arm, or even my leg. She always seems so happy when she's doing it & it doesn't hurt or anything... I'm just SO curious!

[mmr]

It is mating behavior. What type of bird is she?

[kellywess]

She is stimulating herself to regurgitate for you. Maybe not the answer you were looking for huh? LOL Its just love Mabird thats all.

[mabird]

Originally Posted by mmr

It is mating behavior. What type of bird is she?

Harley's a U2.

[mabird]

Originally Posted by kellywess

She is stimulating herself to regurgitate for you. Maybe not the answer you were looking for huh? LOL Its just love Mabird thats all.

Thanks Kelly. I kind of thought that's what it was, because she has "served me" a few times right after... now I kind of try to stop her before we get to the actual "serving of the meal" ... not because I'm not flattered, but mostly because I don't want her losing weight!!

[kellywess]

I dont know about it being solely a mating behavior as my Severe, Yellow Collar and Miligold Macaw do this just as they are regurgitating for either me or my husband. I usually discourage this behavior due to the fact that the end result is pretty darn gross.

[mmr]

Ellie (my U2) does this also especially when she is in her "nesting" behavior on the bottom of her cage. I do not allow her to do it ot me at all though. It is a sighn of affection/mating!

[SisterBlue]

LOL, dogs do it too...we call it "the nose poke". :)

(Sometimes my doggies get confused and forget that they are ALL male and ALL neutered).

-SB

[mabird]

Originally Posted by mmr

Ellie (my U2) does this also especially when she is in her "nesting" behavior on the bottom of her cage. I do not allow her to do it ot me at all though. It is a sighn of affection/mating!

SOoooo... does this mean I should discourage the tapping all together? Or just let her tap, however, interrupt her with a hug or a kiss to prevent regurgitation, as I have been? I hate to stop it all together, because if it is her showing love to me, I don't feel I'd want to prevent her from communicating her affections... especially when she's telling me how much she loves mommie! I think of the taps as little kisses or love taps!

[mmr]

she can do the beak clicking is what I call it but not directly ON me. She will do it if perched on my arm, but sitting up and "in the air" if that makes sense. If she does it directly on me I distract her or put her back on her cage. Now she doesn't even try it

I don't encourage any type or mating behavior