Bhodi Questions

[FoxersArtist]

When Bhodi is with me, he is constantly grinding his beak. He moves his tongue kind of like he is panting, though he isn't panting. It sort of looks like he is licking the inside of the lower part of the upper mandible. I'm kind of wondering if this is a nervious behavior since he is clearly not acting content. When he is content he seems to show it by clicking his beak. What do you think?

When I have Bhodi out, unless we are cuddling, Bhodi periodically screams - I would say on average about every 3-5 minutes and can start either right away or after about 15 minutes of out time. The screaming only lasts for a few minutes and is accompanied by a specific body language. He stretches out so that he is fairly tall, slicks his crest back and turns his head from side to side while swaying slightly in whichever direction he is moving his head. I'll try to get a video at some point, but I don't want him to think I'm paying attention to him. The screaming is not set off by any particular thing and he seems to do it methodically, over and over, once it has started. It does not matter if he is on a play gym, on my knee, on the table playing with toys, etc. It's all the same. I have tried distracting him by bathing him, playing music, offering treats in a bowl, showing him new toys, etc. Once it has started, the cycle just keeps going. Any ideas as to why he is doing this and how to help? I was thinking about letting him out for shorter periods of time and putting him back in his cage once the cycle of screaming starts, but I also feel that I need to be careful with him because I am also working to make him feel wanted and safe. I think the goal should be to have him out and put him back in his cage before he has the oppertunity to have a scream attack but I have no way of telling if he will start right away or 10 minutes from now.

I decided to show Bhodi some birdy videos on the computer tonight and he did a funny thing. He stretched out real tall and raised his crest like he was afraid but then he hopped up and down and shrieked. This kind of came off to me as excited...possibly in a good way... but I really wasn't sure so we did not continue the activity. Was he expressing his joy or am I lucky to have all my fingers?

Bhodi is my first Umbie with significant behavioral issues and the 3-4 that we have had as fosters in the past were very subtle and relaxed compared to this guy, so I'm trying to learn. Thanks for the help! :)
-Anna

[too&me]

It sounds like his cyclic behavior might be a form of self comfort. Something he can control with all the changes he has been through- the swaying thing with the screaming is the part that leads me to this thought. The tall & raised crest sounds like first uncertainty & then excitement with the hoping & calling. He is easily stimulated and it will be interesting to see how his behavior changes as the hormone season slows down. The beak grinding is something Harry & the sanctuary birds do when they are content-Harry does the tongue thing too some times he sticks it out the side of his beak & holds it there looks like a cigar. He does the licking inside beak thing when excited or nervous. Hope some of this is helpful.

[birdie]

When Bhodi is with me, he is constantly grinding his beak. He moves his tongue kind of like he is panting, though he isn't panting. It sort of looks like he is licking the inside of the lower part of the upper mandible. I'm kind of wondering if this is a nervious behavior since he is clearly not acting content. When he is content he seems to show it by clicking his beak. What do you think?

-Anna

This sounds like something similar to what Stella does. With her it's an affection type thing. She's getting into a real loving mood & wants cuddles, but look out after a couple of minutes, she's OVER stimulated. This is one of my warning signs with her.

Sounds to me with Bhodi's past, he'll take some time to feel truley safe & secure, but you are doing a good job, and are having small steps from him. I think once he accepts the love and saftey you offer, he will make progress. If anyone can help him, I feel you can.

Do you have a tv in the aviary you can let the birds watch? It may be safer for you to have Bhodi in his cage and turn the tv on for a few minutes at a time to get him use to it so you don't get bitten when he gets too excited.

Bhodi doesn't seem to know how to behave as a bird, much less react well with people. Do you have the bird sitter DVD? Maybe you could work up to letting him watch how other birds behave in a flock together. I had to start my birds out slow when getting them use to how other birds sounded. They didn't like the video at 1st, now I think it calms them.

[Evelyn]

Anna -

Cocktoos (U-2s anyway) sometimes sway (I call it their cobra imitation) when they are afraid or apprehensive or are warning you away. It's usually accompanied by their fluffing up to be as big as they can be.

Evelyn