Male Senegal vocalization

[sootykitty]

Has anyone with a DNA'd male Senegal, or perhaps a Senegal breeder, ever experienced a vocalization that is a hissing sound? I have two males and I've heard this sound only from them. I have another Senegal that is not DNA'd and I suspect that is a female. Any comments are appreciated. I am going to post this in the behavior board too.

[TinaInWonderland]

My Winston is a DNA'd male Senegal I've had for almost a month. I personally have not heard him make a hissing sound, though he's made about every other noise imaginable.

Could one of your birds have been imitating something they heard, then the other maybe picked it up too? Is he mad when he's hissing?

[sootykitty]

No, there isn't anything here that would be a sound they're imitating. They don't appear to be mad either. They make this sound even when playing alone on their play stands. Just thought it was a strange noise and thought I'd check with other Senegal owners to see if they've experienced it too.

[tdmsu]

Fidrych does seem to sometimes make a "hiss" sound. I have not checked his DNA, so I don't know if he is male. It does not seem to be a threat sound, because no other threat behavior accompanies it. Not very helpful, but at least you know someone else has heard such a sound!

[Buddysdad]

I have a DNA'd male Senegal. He is about 6 months old. He is ALWAYS playful, and always wants to come out of his cage and play with me. Now about that hissing sound. I have actually taught Buddy to give me a kiss when he comes out of the cage. It's a long, kissing sound, as if he was blowing a kiss but lets it go for about 5 seconds at a time ( too bad you can't hear it, you would know what I mean ). But I would not explain it as a hiss, though. I have never heard him do ANY kind of hissing sound. If yours is playing at the time he does this 'hissing', it sounds like there isn't a problem, although I am not a vet. But I can't imagine playing with another, having a great time, and giving a warning hiss and continue playing. You certainly know better than me...you hear it. If I can be of any other help, please don't hesitate to contact me !

[Sprecker]

Have you spritzed him/them with a spray bottle? Most water spray bottles make a hissing sound when used and I know some of my fids make the hissing sound when they want to have a "spritz".

[sootykitty]

Next time I have my camera handy I'll make a video of it and post it to YouTube so you can see what I'm talking about. It is rather peculiar but doesn't seem to be something that they do with any sign of aggression attached to it. I don't mist them so I'm sure that isn't it. It is probably as someone else had mentioned just a normal Sennie thing and nothing at all to worry about.

[Geri]

Can you be clearer about what you mean by hissing?

I have heard Senegal and their close relatives Meyers make noises that sound remarkably like the hissing of a snake. It's kind of creepy and guttural. It can be a sort of a territorial reaction. But I have also seen birds that use this sound pretty generically as a reaction.

If the hiss is more higher pitched like air escaping and he makes it when he is by himself it's probably a sound that he picked up and is mimicking.