Floyd on the attack

[Digital_Fid]

Hi all,

We had a family of four come around on the weekend and the fids were roaming the house (as they do).

The reaction to the new people in our house from our Western Long billed Corella was predictable; she was very nervous and sat either on my shoulder or on her cage.

.. but our male Eclectus, always the inquisitive one, flew over to the huddled group of people and walked around without care in the world. He seemed quite relaxed making the "puffed" up posture but proceeded to nip one of our guests on the hand. ... I'm sure you know how that feels!

I'm assuming that this is a territory thing but did I read his body language incorrectly? I thought the big "puff-up", like our cockatoo, was a sign of being relaxed?

Any comments on Eclectus body language here?

DF

[Mrs Jeffrey]

I find that my Ekkie Scarlet puffs up before she is going to bite or if she isn't happy.

[nvranemptynest]

I'd love to see more responses to this, as I'm considering bringing an eclectus into the flock.

Would you mind sharing how your ekkie and 'too get along? You can pm or email, if you wish.

[lavender]

Our ekkie boy has a certin growl when he's going to bite or attack.

This is a totally different sound than his playful growl. But I'm going to watch more for the fluffing up.

I agree responses to this topic will be interesting. Can't wait to see what other ekkies do.

[Digital_Fid]

Being familiar with the dusty Australian natives, I know for certain that the "fluffed up" act from my Corella means that she is relaxed.

(I should mentioned here that if she is frightened of something that is close to her, there is another "fluffed up" posture but this is totally different and easily identifyable as "not comfortable"- with the head back, wings slightly apart and beak open for business.)

Now, I'm new to the Eclectus and I've only had him for coming up to 2 years. I know that he has the same "puffed up" look when he is relaxed with me. But going by what Mrs Jeffrey siad, maybe it was a bad assumption that the "puffed up" look is *only* for a relaxed state.

How do the two get along? Well, not so well. They spend a lot of time having small feuds over landing rights on our shoulders, food and height. I don't know if this is only a baby thing (they are both coming up to 2 years old) or if it will stay like this for ever. Once they has a small tussle that ended in the Corella's toungue being pierced and bleeding, but they're usually small and not damaging.

Someone might be able to tell me if this is normal behaviour.

DF

[Digital_Fid]

Just so we know who we're talking about





DF

[Amie]

My ekkie has two different fluff ups, One means I'm a happy camper, the other means, I'm going for blood.

Happy camper fluff puts all of her "face feathers" fluffy to the point where they begin to cover the base of her beak.

Going for blood fluff does not touch her beak. . . .the feathers seem to stick straight out on end like a cat when it's angry.

Does that help?

[Digital_Fid]

Sure it helps!

I'll watch out for this in the future. Thanks.

DF

[jimpierce7]

Sophie has two postures as well. One is comfy town. The other is "see how big I am, Now I'm going to eat you"