Question about baby-like behavior

[Carbon]

Lately, I've noticed that Nara has taken to ocassionally sticking her beak between my fingers and bobbing her head rapidly in what resembles mock feeding behavior. Is this normal? Does it fall under sexually stimulating acts? Should I stop it or is it ok to let her do it? She will sit there and do it for hours if I let her!

[KiwiJo]

Kiwi does the same thing with Izzy. I think it's fairly normal behavior, especially in birds so young. I hope this helped.

[LovelySydney]

Neko does this and I dont think that its anything sexual, usually if I start petting his head he will stop so I think that maybe its his way of telling me to give him some scritches?? Is it like head bobbing??? Neko does that a lot too and I know that means he's happpppy as a clam.

[RXK]

Jendu does the rapid head bob to things he adores: me (more specifically my hand/fingers), his toys, soft fabrics, etc. and, oftentimes he will regurgitate afterward (although, he has yet to regurgitate after to me/my fingers). so, i'm assuming it's a sign of affection that could lead to sexual stimulation.

[xafsmom]

It's not sexual stimulation. It's a feed response. Chicks give other chicks feed responses. Chicks give adults feed responses. Adults give chicks and other adults they simply flock with, feed responses. Regurgitating in and of itself isn't a sexual response, anymore than allo-preening is.

Sorry, the whole oooh sexual stimulation yada yada crap really is a pet peeve. Anyway...

A baby bird is simply that, a baby. Any baby under 2 years of age is more than likely going to give bob responses when the sides of their beaks are touched. It's instinctive.

If your baby is weaned, but does the slow head bob, jerks when the beak is touched and wing flicks, those are the words your bird has and the only words your baby bird has to show that it needs some attention to make it feel more secure. It's their little "I'm small and I need you for some comfort" plea.

A lot of people assume this means the baby requires "comfort feedings", which is a crock and can end up doing more psychological and behavioral damage to a fully weaned bird than simply ...dun dun dunnn... offering it your soothing touch and voice.

Sorry long answer for "it's ok, it's normal, it will eventually go away as she ages".

[Carbon]

Thanks xafsmom. I love it when you pull out the xafinator sword and thrash through myth and misconception.

[RXK]

[QUOTE=xafsmom;1541397]It's not sexual stimulation. It's a feed response.QUOTE]

WOW, was i wrong! lol. the reason i thought it might lead to something sexual is because i thought it was a sign of affection and he often does it to things he "humps." but, i didn't think it would lead to him getting "cozy" with everything he does it to: just to things he sees as sexual objects (he doesn't see me as such so i knew that if he did it to my hands, it's fine).

Jendu is almost 3 and he still does this; and, you mentioned that adults do it. so, i'm assuming this is fine. and, just to clarify: it mean he's hungry and therefore i should get him something to eat??

[xafsmom]

It's used as a sexual bonding thing, as an insecurity thing, as an affection thing, etc, etc, etc... You're not entirely wrong, just not completely right either. Some of my happily mated birds will come and regurg for me. I raised them, they still offer the 'flock affection' to me. At 3, Jendu isn't asking to be fed because he's hungry, per se, he's feeding you because he loves you. But, that doesn't mean he looooves you, if you get my meaning. It's also something he remembers - you were 'daddy/mommy' therefore he's going to act the baby with you when you touch his beak.

Carbon: *wipes off sword* Sorry! ;)

[kablammy]

When Chica does that it means she wants scritches on her cheeks and the back of her neck.

[RXK]

Originally Posted by xafsmom

It's used as a sexual bonding thing, as an insecurity thing, as an affection thing, etc, etc, etc... You're not entirely wrong, just not completely right either. Some of my happily mated birds will come and regurg for me. I raised them, they still offer the 'flock affection' to me. At 3, Jendu isn't asking to be fed because he's hungry, per se, he's feeding you because he loves you. But, that doesn't mean he looooves you, if you get my meaning. It's also something he remembers - you were 'daddy/mommy' therefore he's going to act the baby with you when you touch his beak.

thanks for the clarification/elaboration! you learn so much from this board that i'm sure i wouldn't be able to find anywhere else on the net.