Birds that repeat the same action

[Dr.Oviparous]

I recently heard from a friend that birds that repeat the same action over and over again (such as... hanging on the side of the cage, bobbing head up and down, moving foot up, bobbing, moving foot down, bobbing, moving foot up, bobbing.....) might have some sort of psychological problem. It was compared to people that must follow certain routines like flicking the light switch on and off 3 time before walking into the next room and such. Obsessive compulsive? I have been looking for hours and cannot find any info on this. Anybody know either way? -Juggalo
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[bensnacks]

I'm deffinitely no expert on animal behaviour but
as far as I know the reapeating action of the bird or
back and forth pacing of a caged animal is an indication
of problems as a result of boredom and stress.I think
the behaviour can be reversed if caught in time by providing more
mental stimulation and distraction, but again I'm no expert.

There's nothing wrong w/ Shasta is there Juggs.??? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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[Dr.Oviparous]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>There's nothing wrong w/ Shasta is there Juggs.??? </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>I don't think so, well I hope to god there isn't anyway! The problem is that she's been threw a few (not a lot, but a few) homes before I got her. So I don't know exactly how much attention was paid to her, or what her care was like before I took her in. She's still very young, so I'm sure if she does have a problem it can (and will) be corrected, but you know how I am... the pet hypochondriac lol. She has new toys all the time, when I'm home her cage is open and not to mention all the time I spend with her, She has plenty of things to keep her from being bored. As far as I know she has never had a feather-plucking problem. I just don't know what to think. She does not do this all day, just at certain times. I'm not sure how long, I will time her tonight. I never really paid attention to how long she did it for, Figured she was playing. I'll continue my dig for info....
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[schatzie001]

Hey Jugg,
Good luck with the search on this. I would really like to know what you find out, and throw us some links too. I was wondering the same with my new fella. I had seen a show years ago on PBS and there were some birds with abberant behavior, so now when I watch Sonnig I wonder if certain behaviors are &quot;normal&quot;

Thanks!
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[JuliusSqueezer]

too much time in a cage will bore any animal into weird behaviour. Horses left in stalls too long will start chewing on wood and/or pawing at the ground digging deep pits. Big cat, bears etc pace back and forth....birds will often climb in circles around the cage constantly, throw food out of the cage...I dunno...birds have so many different freaky pasttimes....hard to tell what is neurotic. Hanging on the side of the cage to sleep is usually a sign of insecurity though...change the scheme of the perches and put in toys they like...not that scare them...and some like a snuggle buddy to get next to....like one of those little birdy puppet things. I think my sun counre carries food and dumps it in the waterdish several times a day just so I will keep changing it....demanding attention.
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[Ravnos]

I tried one of those snuggle buddies for my senegal. It ended up being a &quot;poopy buddy&quot;. All he did was climb over it and crap on it.

Macaws are notorious for developing neurological issues due to boredom. Parrots in general are very inquisitive and very smart. Being locked in a cage day in day out with nothing to do will drive them bonkers... contrary to what the pet trade has told us, birds are -not- cage animals. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] They need social interaction, they need entertainment every waking moment.

Rav
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[Dr.Oviparous]

I have not found much. Most sites only talk about feather plucking and screaming. However, I did find this Free diet and behavior consultation. Sounds too good to be true.... we'll see. I know Shasta's diet is great, not really concerned about that. But the bobbing does concern me.

BTW... Some of you know about her, I was going to wait to introduce her to RTB until I could post a pic. But since the cat is out of the bag now... Shasta is my new best friend, an Umbrella Cockatoo Cacatua Alba [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] . I have been visiting her at least a few times a week for months now, wanting her to come home with me more and more. I finally decided to bring her home before someone else did. April volunteered to help me for an early b-day present, *Thanks babe! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] * She is about 4 years old, has been through a few homes, doesn't like *everybody* lol, But loves me and April. pics coming just as soon as they are post able. -Juggalo

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[JuliusSqueezer]

Congrats!!! I love umbrellas...I wouldn't worry about the head bobbing...they just do that. Cockatoos are THE biggest hams and demand the most attention of any bird I know. They simply MUST be allowed to become part of the family. You can't leave them caged and you can't leave them out and unattended....they will destroy anything made of wood in the house. The Molluccan that I used to have would sit on top of the cage or on the stand all day as long as I was in the room. If I walked outside and left him....he would climb down and go look for something to tear up....He ate the trim around my french doors, part of the fireplace mantle, a good size chunk out of the kitchen cabinets...One time he knocked a picture down and tore the nail out then where the hole was in the sheetrock there....he decided that needed to be larger so he ripped the first layer of painted sheet rock off on about a 4x4 foot section of wall...All of these were seperate instances and usually just durring the time I left him to go to the bathroom or something...They can get pretty mischevious lol...I think lesser sulfer crested and umbrellas are a little better than the bigger cockatoos though.

Another thing you will have to look out for Jug....is that they powder themselves constantly with these little down feathers that crumble to fine white powdery dust ...You need to check your a/c - heat filter many times a year because that stuff will get all in the ducts. A cockatoo in the house is rough on the ventilation system of any house with central heating and air.

I was forced to sell my Molluccan shortly after my son was born because he freaked out and kept trying to attack the baby. They do not like newcomers....especially ones that get some of their attention.

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[Dr.Oviparous]

Thanks! I love this bird. A few months back my 15-30 minute visits to the Rita's pets (A superb herp/bird specialty shop) for frozen rodents and reptile chat turned into 1-2 hours because I couldn't pull myself away from this bird lol.

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> fine white powdery dust ...You need to check your a/c - heat filter many times a year because that stuff will get all in the ducts. </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE> God, I hope so! Maybe it will put the whole unit down once and for all so that it will finally be replaced. I honestly believe the AC unit in my apartment is from the late 1950's. It has been on a downward spiral for over a year, the manager and maintenance crew has been stalling all summer. They really need to just replace the thing. It is on basically all day, and can not get the place cooler than 78 degrees. I know herps take up a lot of juice, but not $200 a month (in the 1 bedroom apartment) for an electricity bill, now that's due to the AC unit having to be on all day. But that's a whole other subject....

I've heard of many people being forced to sell their favorite bird due to a new family member, Man that's got to be difficult [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img] . Well at lest Shasta is an excellent excuse never to have children! lol.

As far as the Bird consultants I called... It was legit. I submitted their form requesting diet and behavior information, and called them as per their own instructions. The first time I called at 9:00 AM a guy answered the phone, apparently had no clue what I was referring to, and seemed basically bewildered. I was put on hold, and waited for 15 minutes. No one had come back yet so I put the speakerphone on and made Shasta and myself breakfast. 30 minutes later still no one came back. I hung up, tried back an hour later with no answer. When I woke up about 3:00 PM I thought I would try back one more time, I got someone on the line. She was very informative and friendly. She suggested that I get Shasta more food related toys to stimulate foraging and have her away from the top of her cage more. I'll give it a shot...

-Juggalo

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[bensnacks]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> But since the cat is out of the bag now.... </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

Sorry Juggs...
Still looking forward to some pics but ...hint,hint! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img]
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[Dr.Oviparous]

No worries mate! lol, I was kinda looking for a reason to break the news anyway. If I diddn't spill it soon I was going to pop [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img] BTW... Shasta told me to tell you that she is very thankfull for the concern, However she is upset that you are not coming to nawlens as planned [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_razz.gif[/img] . -Juggalo
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[bensnacks]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>Still looking forward to some pics but... </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE>

And you managed to post w/out mentioning butt pics ....bwaahaaha

Yeah no Nawleans but DANG!! VENEZUELA!!! Might get to see dem' boa ting's
y'all talk about. In the wild too!!

(may I steal a sig.)
A Very exited Bensnacks!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]


P.S. A big &quot;allo' cocky&quot; to Shasta.

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[Dr.Oviparous]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE>butt pics </BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR></TD></TR></TABLE> HAHAHA!!!! Butt pics...... Ewwww! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]

Yeah, I don't blame ya, Venezuela sounds like a MUCH better time lol.
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[bensnacks]

&quot;A MUCH better time...&quot;

Maybe ... maybe not, the financial aspect was the biggest motivation
behind the change of plans.
And like I said before Jugg's we're still planning to make it there (U.S.)
in a couple of years time. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

How's Shasta doin' did you find out anything more??

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[Dr.Oviparous]

I sleep a lot easier now than I was a few days ago, I don't think she has a problem. I believe she was a little nervous when I brought her home, that was probably causing it. If she kept it up I would have been worried. She hasn't done it in 3 days except for a few minutes once in a while, but that's just her playing [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] . What an awsome bird! Her favorite time is cuddle time, and playtime (which is pretty much every time that is not bed time lol). -Juggalo
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[bensnacks]

Good to hear Jugg's [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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