Chitter/Chatter?

[Blueiis]

I don't know if other birds do this, or if Indigo is the only one? My lovebird, since the age of about 1 year, will wander back and forth in a short pattern, holding his feet up one at atime, yawning, scratching his beak, "chitterchatterchitchitchitclitter"-ing.

I don't know why he does this. :confused: Often, he regurgitates at the same time, but I read somewhere a long time ago that a bird regurgitating meants that they're trying to share their food with their "flock". Still, I'd love to know what's behind this strange and very annoying behaviour.

[pionuspasion]

He's doing the happy lovebird dance! All my hand-tame lovebirds do this little dance, which is usually accompanied by regurgitation. For most of our lovies, it means that they want to come out of their cage. But for some, it is a sign that they want to be sexual. If you ever find your bird rubbing his rear end up against the back of your finger, just put him back in his cage and the behavior will stop soon. Do you know if it is male of female?

[Blueiis]

The woman I bought him from was fairly sure he was male. We had a 'tiel that rubbed his bum in the way you're describing, so I know what you mean, but Indigo doesn't rub at all, on anything. He just does the chatterdance thing, usually when he's sitting on my shoulder, or if he's a little upset because I'm not paying close enough attention to him. *shrugs* Maybe he's just starved for attention....NOT! *grin*

[Redstorm1721]

Does he regurgitate while he is on your shoulder? Mine did that before and its a sign they love you and its thier way of saying so. Its kinda like their gift to you. I wouls just say thank you and hold the seed in your hand LOL

[Jenny]

I have a very tame lovebird who's about 3 months old, but I've never noticed that so far. Pionuspasion, at what age did your luvys start this?

[Blueiis]

Oh, I can get over the regurgitation. It's gross, but I can handle it. I feed him pellets, and seedballs only as treats, so the regurgitation doesn't smell particularly good (kinda sour), but it's the chittering that makes me wonder.

[JSimko]

My blue and gold maccaw used to try to regurgitate while on my shoulder, however I quickly told hom no in a firm voice and told him that we say "I love you." and we don't throw up. After about two weeks of explaining this he caught on and does not try that anymore.

[pionuspasion]

I have babies now that are 8 weeks old and one has already started. I've noticed that males do it with much more gusto than females. Then again, female lovebirds don't exactly make the best pets, either.

[Jenny]

Maybe mine's a female then because she's never done that, and is much older than 8 weeks. Who knows. What do you mean about females not making the best pets?

[pionuspasion]

From my experience, lovebird hens are very very broody, even when kept seperatley from other lovebirds. There are always exceptions to the rules, so don't be dissapointed. Female lovies often have the personality of a kakariki, they don't want to be cuddled or held, but they like to be talked to and interacted with. Male lovies are often very snuggly and rarely bite, where as females are very territorial of their nest (cage). When I say they don't make good pets, I guess I'm making a generalization, because it all depends on the owner. Personally, I like the snuggly, reguriating, loyal male lovies, to the stand-offish, less interactive, but still loveable females.

[Blueiis]

I took my lovebird in to the vet's to get his wings trimmed (not that it helped---he has an amazing knack for flying even with completely trimmed wings). The vet said Indigo was the best lovebird they'd ever had--apparently, the clinic, which deals with avians regularly, calls lovebirds "terror birds" because they're generally so bad-tempered.

*shrug* Indigo loves to cuddle, and often sits under my shirt when I'm watching TV. His favourite toy is a dreamcatcher (strings removed for safety), which hangs in our bedroom window and from which he swings on Sunday mornings when we laze in bed. He's very people friendly.

[pionuspasion]

Sounds like a boy in my house. Peeper, a 12 year old male lovie, loves to just sit on the window and watch us while we go about our daily chores. When he feels like company, he'll fly to our shoulders and pick at our ears. Hes such a dear.

[Pet_lover92]

Without meaning to, the people in this conversation helped me with my bird... Thank you!! I was extremely worried about him!