| |
| |
|
Pets Information |
|
|
|
Birdie Body Language
Most parrot people are aware of some of the basic body language out companions use to communicate with us. But it's usually the more negative ones! However, our buddies use a multitude of moves to express lots of emotions, both positive and negative. So, let's look at a few: EXCITEMENT/AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS Eye pinning: The pupils dilate and constrict rapidly, back and forth, indicating excitement and interest. Definitely means you need to pay attention and look out. Feather Puffing: The bird fluffs his feathers out all over, but especially the head and neck, and with Cockatoos, the crest is erect. In the wild, birds use this to appear larger, and thus be more intimidating to foes. Tail Fanning: Especially in Amazons, the bird fans his whole tail out (like a mini-horizontal peacock), again, to appear large and "scary." Blushing: Bare-faced birds like Macaws, allow you to visually observe the facial redness that accompanies excitement. (Actually, ALL parrots so this - we just can't see it through the feathers! Some birds blush a light pink, others (Like my Amber), go a deep red. I find babies blush more than adults, as they experience new things in the world. Head Bowing: The bird, while puffed up, eye-pinning, tail fanning, and blushing, also lowers his head, stretching out his neck. Often accompanied by a "growling" sort of sound, or with African Greys and Cockatiels, it's more of a "hissing" sound. Stretching/Wing Spreading: The bird raises up on tip toes, feathers and crest erect, neck stretched, wings eagle - spread -again, he's trying to look large and threatening. Often, a highly agitated bird will sway back and forth. "Flash" colors (Bright color accents under wings, crest or tail) are highly visible during this type of posturing - it's hard to miss, as this type of display is QUITE obvious! Although aggression behaviors and excitement behaviors are similar, the good observer with a trained eye can readily tell the difference. Work on developing your observation skills, so you'll know how to best proceed. Of course, a bird coming at you, head-lowered, with an open beak, is hard for ANYONE to misinterpret! SOLICITOUS BEHAVIORS Food Begging: Recently weaned babies often cry and "baby bob" repeatedly. They sit low on the perch, heads turned up, slightly quivering their wings, with heads bobbing rapidly. This needs to be addressed! Often, newly weaned babies revert after moving to their new home. It's a good idea to continue regular body weight checks, as anything over a 10% loss is cause for concern. I don't believe in time-table weaning, and do not feel it is inappropriate to continue, or re-start, hand feeding of young birds. Ask for guidance on how to best handle it. Wing Quivering: The bird sits low with wings gently quivering, head out, and stretched and softly chirps to you. Some may "bob," even as adults. This is more common in females. It simply means "Pick me up! Love me!" I find it quite endearing and nothing to be alarmed about. Leaning Forward/Looking up at you with Big Eyes: This is also a very sweet way birdies ask for some loving. They simply lean toward you and give you big, soft, goo-goo eyes! Pretty fool-proof for most birds! Feather Puffing: Nothing like the feather puffing of aggression/over-excitement, which is stiff and rigid, this is a "soft" raising of the feathers, again, especially on the head and neck and means "Please scratch me and preen my pin feathers!" They need out help to reach those difficult spots, and it's a glorious way to strengthen your bond by preening his "pins" for him! HAPPINESS BEHAVIORS Tail Wagging: Often in one on one interactions, you'll see your bird give his tail a quick "fan" and a vigorous side-to-side shake. This means "I'm content, I'm enjoying myself and feeling quite relaxed!" It's always a happy sight! Happy-Wing Tai Chi: You walk in the room, or up to your parrot, he spreads out one wing, in a big stretch, often accompanied by a full extension to the back of the leg on the same side (very graceful, martial-arts-looking). I love this one! Often, they do it at the most inopportune time, like when you're in a big hurry to put him up and get out for the day. But, this is the parrot equivalent of a big hug! It means "I'm so happy to see you! How 'ya doing?!" Don't ever rush him when he's being sooo courteous and pleasant! "Happy Beak": It's late, he's eaten, he's played, he's cuddled, he's almost ready for bed - and you hear a funny grinding rasping sound coming from your bird. This is a total contentment, relaxed, happy behavior. I actually met someone once who professed to "hate" that sound! To me, it's music to my ears - it means my kids have had a great day and are ready to go night-night for sweet dreams! Regurgitation: You're loving on your buddy when all of a sudden, he starts to bob, then deposits a warm gob of partially digested food onto you! Well, you've just been paid the highest compliment your parrot can pay you!! This is how parrots say "I love you madly, for ever and ever - you're mine!!" Please, don't act grossed out, or make faces, or laugh, or run away. Simply say "I love you, too!" and give him a rub! There's lots more behaviors an postures our companion birds use to express their moods, needs, and feelings to us. When you start to pay attention to your friend's many ways in which he communicates with you, you'll surely discover some special and unique ones that will go a log way in enabling the two of you to get along better, strengthen your bond, and provide insight into his own unique personality! ----------------------------------------- Free eBook!
MORE RESOURCES:
pets - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Horse Training Gets A New Face Lift From A 108 Year Old Horse Training Manual! If you have a passion to learn all you can about horse training, then you will want to know about a 108 year old horse training manual recently revived from a dusty old book shelf of a used book store.This horse training manual was written in the late 1800's by a then world famous horse trainer named Jesse Beery. How To Stop Your Horse From Rearing And What To Do If He Does It Unexpectedly There is a dangerous problem that horse owners should be very aware of. It's when a horse stands up on his back legs. Tips For Keeping Your Pug Happy And Healthy Bringing home a Pug can change our life, but it is also a big responsibility. When you become a Pug owner, it is up to you to make sure that your pet's needs are met including, proper care, a safe environment and lots of love! Caring for a dog is a commitment, but has many rewards. Starting a Home-Based Pet Related Business If you're contemplating the idea of starting a home-based business here are some facts you should know:·According to the Small Business Administration, home-based businesses account for over half of all the businesses in the United States.·Each year thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs launch a part-time home business to supplement their existing income or to test a new business idea. Ear Mites in Dogs: Quite Earritating Does your dog have that sheepish look? It could be that he's embarrassed of his ear mite problem! All this time you thought he just had a bad case of ear wax like your Uncle Henry, when really he's been suffering from an annoying condition that's itching like mad.. Why the Heck Would You Have a Pet Snake (or lizard, crocodile, monitor, frog, turtle etc)? This is a question that has been asked of me and a thousand (million?) other herp keepers. I think it's almost a case of once bitten, twice as determined. How To Toilet Train Your Cat Tired of cleaning the cat box? Here are some tips on how to train your cat to use the toilet.So, you're sick and tired of scooping poo from your cat's litter box, emptying the residual mess, and gagging from the whole process. 10 Questions Im Most Asked about Dogs in Heat 1. What is heat?Heat is more properly called the estrous cycle. Treat Fleas Naturally and Avoid Vaccinations, for a Truly Healthy Dog An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual checkup with the vet. The vaccinations* which are given to your dog each year supposedly ensure your dog's immunity to some common infectious diseases. First Aid for Felines - How to Keep Your Car Safe from Harm Cats are known for their curious and adventurous nature. Curiosity doesn't always kill the cat, but can often cause injury. How to Care for Your Kitten Caring for a kitten is a lot of work. With her high energy and intense curiosity and sense of adventure, raising a kitten will keep you on your toes. Why The Horses Eyes Are So Important When Training Him! They say the eyes are are the gateway to the soul. When it was said, they were referring to us humans. Dog Crate Training: The Basics Dog crate training is one of the most effective ways of modifying your pet's elimination habits. If your puppy or new pet has decided that they want to leave puddles or other unsightly messes around your house, then taking a closer look at this method may be in order. Your Purrrfect Companion Out of all the pet animals, the cat is most expressive about its needs. The feline loves to be pampered and cared for. A New Nutritional Approach for Both Pet Allergies and Allergies to Pets A New Understanding of AllergiesAllergies of all kinds seem to be on the rise--both for people and for their pets. The exciting new science of Glycobiology points strongly to a common basis for many of these allergies; and the revolutionary new nutritional technology of glyconutrition, which has developed from this new science, is proving to be a very effective--and natural--way to help both pets and their owners get marked relief from their allergies. General Information, Caring For & Breeding Silkworms BackgroundSilkworms are the larva of a moth (Bombyx mori) native to Asia that spins a cocoon of fine, strong, lustrous fiber that is the source of commercial silk. The culture of silkworms is called sericulture. Vaccinations Cause Vaccinosis - Your Pet is Being Harmed Annual Vaccinations for Your Dog?Are they really necessary? - In a word, NO!You probably receive an annual reminder from your vet that your dog is due for his/her annual checkup and vaccinations. I do. How Cats With Feline Diabetes Can Lead A Happy Life "Your cat has feline diabetes." If this is your vet's message after examining your beloved friend, it will come as a shock. Caring For Your Pomeranians Teeth Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not caring for them properly can cause serious health problems for your dog.Dental disease in dogs can cause serious health issues as the bacteria from infected gums and teeth can "spread" to other parts of the body and affect vital organs such as the heart, kidneys and intestines. Our Pets Behavior Behavior can be a huge iisue with our pets. If each dog and cat owner in the United States took the time to understand the root of their animals'behavioral issues, our animal shelters would be substantially less populated with strays.
|
| Article List | Index | Site Map |
|
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved. |
