Is a hiss just a hiss?

[Hypnotoad72]

Rusty has developed a new noise: At times, when I look at him, he will open his beak and make a hissing noise for a brief moment.

It doesn't sound involuntary, but it's new and sufficiently unusual enough for me to take notice.

I've noted no regular breathing problems or any major atypical behavioral changes. Yet.

Just a hiss.

Well, there is one other thing: He will stare at me constantly; sometimes bobbing his head up and down rapidly or shaking it. But that he did before his follow-up exam, Scooter makes those same motions, and both were given a clean bill of health. That was, what, 2 weeks ago...

Could this hiss noise be something else? I don't think it's aggression, and it's not a constant thing (once or twice he'll make it, then not do it, then I'll put him back in his cage, later take him out, and he'll make it once or twice again.)

Thx!

[hollyhawkz]

It is a little agression sound they do make. Sometimes you don't take them out fast enough to their standards, and thus the little hissy fit LOL. I read somewhere that the hiss is an instinctual sound they make mimicing a snake...their natural enemy. It's not neccesarily a big bad sign of agression. Wawa does it to his dad (which is his favorite person) all the time. It is very common.
The head bobbing is also perfectly normal. It is a baby gesture saying "I want to be picked up" that sometimes they keep doing their whole life.
No worries either way.

[Hypnotoad72]

Originally Posted by hollyhawkz

It is a little agression sound they do make. Sometimes you don't take them out fast enough to their standards, and thus the little hissy fit LOL. I read somewhere that the hiss is an instinctual sound they make mimicing a snake...their natural enemy. It's not neccesarily a big bad sign of agression. Wawa does it to his dad (which is his favorite person) all the time. It is very common.
The head bobbing is also perfectly normal. It is a baby gesture saying "I want to be picked up" that sometimes they keep doing their whole life.
No worries either way.

Thanks for the info. Makes sense; as the last few days I hadn't had as much time to play - combined with their current cages, they have been extra nippy. .

I just ordered a LARGE cage for both to reside in (it's partitioned, for their safety - each partition is 30x18x36). Their old cages will be used as time out cages or sold... I hope it arrives by Friday. The 30x24x36 (each partition, 2 of) cage was $400 and I just can't spend that right now. Or the other cages can be hooked to the sides of their main one and they can go in back and forth... I'll make it creative and fun for them too.

With more time with me and time in a larger cage, I think they'll do fine.

It's sad; Rusty has been getting very inventive with his toys. I know he begs at times to be played with and I give 'em at least an hour per day each... maybe it's just the weather, but I swear, when I look at him he starts to shake his head really fast. But that hiss noise sounds like a tantrum, I agree. :(

Again, thanks MUCH for the info. It'll work out; I know he loves me and by talking to him a moment ago, he perked up nicely...

[hollyhawkz]

Wow, sounds like an amazing cage! We are thinking about getting a second conure.... so hard to decide. A cage that that wow be amazing. Post pictures when you get it set up.

[Hypnotoad72]

Originally Posted by hollyhawkz

Wow, sounds like an amazing cage! We are thinking about getting a second conure.... so hard to decide. A cage that that wow be amazing. Post pictures when you get it set up.

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That's their pictured model; the one I ordered is teal green. :)

I'll be more than happy to put up proper pics once it arrives and I set it up.

[hollyhawkz]

LOL what I wrote at 6:30 this morning did'nt even make sense so thanks for the pics. Plus I'm taking cough medicine... It shows again ... LOL What a cage(s). They have platforms inside as well.