why is my bird acting this way

[Fagan]

Please can somebody answer a couple of questions for me:-
1. Why does my bird bang his beak on the floor, is he having some problem with his beak (seems to do this only when he's playing) and its not very often but it look sore when he's doing it.

2. Why after 3 years is he going for my furniture, particularly my couch which is made with fabric. Is he lacking something.

3. Is is ok for him to take a bath during winter, and in the evening? If i start washing the dishes, he takes it upon himself to go swimming in his water dish, i'm worried he might catch a chill or something.

[charmedagain]

1st, Its usually normal behaviour especially males to do that as they are trying to get the attention of a potential mate.
Aslong as there is not bleeding and the beak is not cracked he will be fine, Giving him toys to play with might stop him doing it.

2nd, He could have started going for your furniture as he is bored and wanting to play, Or he is just wanting to pull the threads.

3rd, Its fine for them to bath in the winter aslong as the room they are in is kept warm at all times.

Mike

[Fagan]

Thanks for the reply, regarding my questions.

1. He seems to be banging his beak even if he is playing, he chases bells around the floor and then goes after them banging his beak. I have checked him out and he does not seem to have done any damage. So i would them assume that he's just being silly.

2. Can i give him some form of material to keep him off my couch?

3. I noticed this morning that when i went to stoke him he went for me, trying to bite me. We are having an abnormal cold spell here in SA, and this little guy is shivering, although I have heaters on for him. Last year and in summer he is quite happy to be stroked, do u think that because he is shivering so much that he's uncomfortable? He won't sit on my hand long enough for me to try and warm him. Do birds that were brought up in captivity have the same feather stucture as a wild or outside bird.

[charmedagain]

Sounds like he is just being a playfull bird.

As for you sofa the only thing i can suggest apart from keeping him off the sofa is if you have an old blanket or something like that to throw over while he is out of the cage that will stop him chewing your sofa.

Birds born in captivity do have the same feather structure as wild birds, If they are born out in an aviary that is heated and they have access to an outside flight they would be more climatised to the cold weather.

Birds born indoors where its always warm do not tolerate the cold very well.
With my birds in the winter i cover there cages with a blanket but leave a gap at at the bottom of the front of the cage to let air circulate a little, Aslong as the back and sides are covered this will reduce the cold inside the cage.

Hope this has helped

Mike

[Fagan]

Thank you, this helps greatly.