Parrots often preen their owners. If your parrot gently chews on your hair, beard, ear, or shirt, this is likely what they're doing. It means the parrot truly likes you!
No, she is showing affection! She interprets your hair as being pin feathers (feathers growing inside a shaft), which are uncomfortable for birds, so she is trying to preen your “feathers” and make you feel more comfy.
If a parrot talks to you, sings, or whistles in your presence, this is a good sign that they are content and happy. Parrots are very vocal and make lots of different noises - if they scream with excitement (and you'll recognize the difference) when you come home or walk into a room, they like you!
Sometimes birds shake their tails to show their feeling of love to humans. They also sleep on you or on your arm, which means that they love you and have huge trust in you. Birds flap wings, their feathers without flying when you come to them. More than that, they don't fly when you come closer to them.
This is called exploratory biting. Birds tend to explore with their beaks, and this includes your fingers or other body parts. Your fingers are very new and interesting to birds, so they are often eager to inspect them. Young birds usually outgrow this behavior as they mature.
New research demonstrates for the first time that birds also respond to a human's gaze. In humans, the eyes are said to be the 'window to the soul', conveying much about a person's emotions and intentions. New research demonstrates for the first time that birds also respond to a human's gaze.
The individual your bird will prefer is the one he will go to, hand feed from, cuddle with, and play with. People not interested in him will either be ignored or he may try to bite them.
Another sign of affection is the parrot who flies straight to your arm before you have even called her. Birds show much curiosity if they are at ease and unafraid. Going into the bird room first thing in the morning, the birds make eye contact, lean forward and come closer. The Greys often put their head on one side.
They are highly protective of their eggs, nest and young and will often 'swoop' unsuspecting passers by if they feel threatened. Only a small percentage of birds attack during Spring as a 'warning' to ward off intruders to their territory, which may include your local park, backyard or schoolyard.
Your parrot preens you
Preening is a way for birds to maintain the quality and hygiene of their feathers. Sometimes, a parrot will use these same techniques on its human's head hair or facial hair. If your bird does this to you, know that it is a loving gesture. Your bird is grooming you as it would groom itself.
Most birds (unlike other pets) prefer being petted against their feathers. If your bird is getting relaxed and comfortable with you touching them, you can gradually start rubbing the sides of their head gently, including the skin just behind their beak and around their ears (but be careful around the eyes).
This can be a rapid, tap, tap, tap or a hard thump. Don't worry, your bird's beak can take the beating. This is typically attributed to courtship behavior. Your bird might be showing off to another bird, to a favorite toy/object, or to you.
The best thing you can do if your bird bites is to gently put the bird down—just like giving a time-out to a child having a tantrum—and walk away. Try not to acknowledge the behavior.
Positive reinforcement is the best way to discipline a bird and you can do it by rewarding your bird's positive actions with his favorite snack or treats. You may also shower him with praise and attention when he's behaving well so he'll realize how he should act.
Many parrots are very affectionate, even cuddly with trusted people, and require a lot of attention from their owners constantly. Some species have a tendency to bond to one or two people, and dislike strangers, unless they are regularly and consistently handled by different people.
Love and affection: Gentle courtship behavior such as mutual preening or sharing food shows a bond between mated birds that can easily be seen as love. Parent birds are just as caring toward their hatchlings, which may be a demonstration of parental love.
Anger: Growling, fluffed up feathers, perch ing low and looking up at you with pinning eyes may show that they are angry or want to be left alone.
An angry bird may stretch up tall or crouch into an attack position, or it may sharply flick its tail or spread its wings to make itself appear larger and more threatening. Sound: Many birds have alarm calls and other sounds such as bill clacks or hisses that can indicate agitation and anger.
Wing flapping generally means a bird is either seeking attention or displaying happiness. If your bird is flipping his wings, it often means he is upset by something. If your bird's wings are drooping, he may be tired or sick.