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Pet Forum / Birds / Birds / February 2008Why do African Grays Bob Their Heads?
I have quite a number of books on parrots and other birds... none of which explains why my African Gray bobs his head. It seems like a friendly gesture... but I would like confirmation. I have noticed our blue fronted Amazon does it too, but it isn't the same thing when he does it. Thanks :-) MC > I have quite a number of books on parrots and other birds... none of > which explains why my African Gray bobs his head. It seems like a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Thanks :-) > MC Head bobbing, when done quickly and in short spurts means "I love you." When done slowly, rhythmically and endlessly it means "I've gone permanently insane from a lack of attention from humans or a total lack of interaction with other birds." I often see one or more birds doing the latter of those in pet stores (usually larger birds like macaws) and it breaks my heart every time. >> I have quite a number of books on parrots and other birds... none of >> which explains why my African Gray bobs his head. It seems like a [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >Head bobbing, when done quickly and in short spurts means >"I love you." How did you come to that conclusion? > When done slowly, rhythmically and endlessly it >means "I've gone permanently insane from a lack of attention [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >stores (usually larger birds like macaws) and it breaks my heart >every time. I was under that impression as well... I had heard that head bobbing was a sign of love or affection from a bird. It seems to me, based on my African Grays behavior that that is a correct assumption. I just walked up to him and bobbed my head to him and he absolutely responded. I know it must mean something significant to my baby. I hate to say this, but sometimes, just for fun, I will shake my head back and forth and use the same voice I use when I talk otherwise to him and he will try to imitate me with very humorous results! Buddy, my African Gray is very friendly, and appears, for all practical purposes to love attention and human contact. He dances and he just loves it when I respond to his calls. Alex, on the other hand, our Blue Fronted Amazon hates me! But he loves my husband! They are buddies! Alex calls out to let me know (yes, me, even though he doesn't care about me) he wants a treat, or some attention. I do believe nos... Thanks :-) > I have quite a number of books on parrots and other birds... none of > which explains why my African Gray bobs his head. It seems like a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Thanks :-) > MC I have heard that it is a feeding thing. Here's my sun conure enjoying corn chips and doing some head bobbing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTlyYY8PZ80 What a beautiful bird ;-) Now I am going to have to start giving Buddy treats :-) >> I have quite a number of books on parrots and other birds... none of >> which explains why my African Gray bobs his head. It seems like a [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >> MC >I have heard that it is a feeding thing. The feeding reflex isn't the same thing. As a 11 year AG I'll tell mine does it when she is happy. When I give her a peanut she'll take a bite, do a head bob, take another bite, do another head bob and repeat until the peanut is eaten up. >Here's my sun conure enjoying corn chips and doing some head bobbing: >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTlyYY8PZ80 > I have quite a number of books on parrots and other birds... none of > which explains why my African Gray bobs his head. It seems like a [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > Thanks :-) > MC Your bird is expressing friendliness. If he does it when he's nervous, he means that he's non-threatening. |
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