Sexy behavior

[Mac's mom]

This is my first time on any time of posting. I have a bg and a c2.

My bg is not sexed. He/she is approx 10 years old. Recently Sammy has been turn his back to me, grabbing his tail while he puts his wing over his head. This appears to be a type of mating ritual.

i have pigeons and doves and now that they can be sexed by how the hold their tail. Up for females and down for males when held a specfic way.

Are macaws similar?

Is Sammy indicating he is a she?

Has anyone seen this behavior in their bg?

Thanks
Mac's Mom

[Alyce Johnson]

Well, my Ruby macaw (GW x Scarlet) puts her tail up in the air & smacks her backside up against me! She makes all kinds of noises, as if to give her clueless "mate" directions on how to proceed. I'm afraid in this department I've been a terrible disappointment to her!

Per my AV these behaviors make her a "she" especially given the way her vent looked, in his experience. So, that's all I know. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[FeathersNFur8]

It's been an X rated season around here...my two are apparently very comfortable and not bashful.

My female grabs her tail and pulls it toward her vent area and proceeds to make a crescendo of noise until she 'feels better.'

My male will sit on his tail on the perch and proceed to make a crescendo of noise until he 'feels better.'

[Mac's mom]

Thanks to everyone you took the time to reply. Now I know I am not crazy.
Mac's Mom

[Cindy215]

Oh man I just posted a long reply on following a natural daylight schedule and hit backspace and it disappeared. I'll try to repost it later.

Following dawn, dusk and strict natural daylight schedule with no artifical lights will fix this. If you're in the Northern Hemisphere it's not breeding season here. Also decrease protein and vitamin e. Also dont stroke the beak feet, back or butt.

If you're near NYC the New York Companion Bird Club is having a speaker TOMORROW on:

"Sex and the Psittacine"
Dr. Elisabeth Simone - Freilicher, D.V.M.
Veterinary Medical Center

Time: 1 - 4 pm

Location: 242 E. 53 Street
(next door to the Quest Book Shoppe)
New York, NY

Unlike most other species, birds get their cues for when to be hormonal from their environment. What this means is that many times we can decrease hormonal behavior and moodiness in our pet birds through environmental changes. Find out how to turn off your "turned on" bird or how to prevent this behavior in the future.

Come join us for lots of laughter and a very educational afternoon.


More details available on their site.

[FeathersNFur8]

If you're near NYC the New York Companion Bird Club is having a speaker TOMORROW on: "Sex and the Psittacine"

Cindy if you'll be attending I would love to read a report of the highlights.

[FeathersNFur8]

If you're in the Northern Hemisphere it's not breeding season here.

Is that for all species? I checked my records from last year and all this tail sitting took place in November last year also.

[Tiki]

Originally Posted by FeathersNFur8

Cindy if you'll be attending I would love to read a report of the highlights.

Me too! Sounds fun and informative!

[Cindy215]

Originally Posted by FeathersNFur8

Is that for all species? I checked my records from last year and all this tail sitting took place in November last year also.

Karen, good idea keeping the journal. I havent studied it per species but my rescue friends know and I will ask. I am not aware of any contradiction to this by any species. They all house mixed species together under the same conditions. Plenty of serious cases there and still even the lovebirds cohabitate peacefully (ha ha) with the Amazons! They entertain themselves defending their territory, flying around, playing eating whatever, out of cages. They do OWN a cage if they want it. There has never been a mention of difference by species.

In their native setting it depends on location and conditions. Distance to the equator etc. But birds just arent going to breed in short days. In captivity I think it's such an unnatural condition anyway that it's totally environmental. Versus genes.

Example in Australia right now it IS breeding season. So they're having hormones and we arent. Then we'll switch positions in our spring.

Also, if you think about it, if you can trick them into thinking it's breeding season all year round by incorrect practices, then the reverse would work. I do belive in seasons and also feed that way. Less variety in winter.

That's how the egg factory farming industry produces eggs out of hens 365 per year and they're dead by age 3 or so. They keep lights on all the time.

On another site I'm on, (the NYCBC who's hosting tomorrow's event)...we hear about breeding behaviors and egg laying as the number one complaint, I'd say. And behavior of course but they're connected. Alot of overtired birds out there.

Currently not one member is posting this problem. Perhaps they are having it but I doubt it. There's one thread with a hormonal Grey and that's about it, but she's not a member and didnt know about light. It's an open board ...no sign up...so frequently posts are not from members but people who stumbled in. But still, not too many breeding posts. If you visit there, I am "Anon" not Cindy LOL.

I believe the current November problem is probably adjusting to the change of seasons. Daylight saving changing last month, our schedules and the birds both being off.

As much as I advocate the schedule some days I run late. Dusk happens so quickly I was missing my window of opportunity a bit and using a dimmer instead of just letting the dusk take over. I also noticed I was cheating and not dimming my light correctly. I fixed it two days ago and my birds reacted right on cue.

If you use dimmers you have to put a lamp on the floor. I use the ones you plug into the bulb part not the ones in the wall you tap they only give three selections of light.

To simulate the sun going down it's not just a matter of less light. It sounds nuts, I know but my birds were flying UP to the curtain rod at dusk. Settling in, grinding beaks and all cozy. I was like, "What the heck"??? they never did that. THEN I realized I was dimming the tall floor lamp and they were trying to get above it. As soon as I stopped and left the lights off or used a lamp on the floor they stopped too. Unreal, really.

I'll post a query and see what happens.

[FeathersNFur8]

I believe the current November problem is probably adjusting to the change of seasons. Daylight saving changing last month, our schedules and the birds both being off.

This could be my problem. I have been having a heck of a time getting them put away on time. We were at least an hour late tonight.