Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I saw a bird in a pet store today and it was doing something strange. First off, it was a Senegal parrot and it was either having fun trying to dance or it looked like it was trying to throw up. LOL I know it seems strange to ask this but I am still new to birds and think this bird is adorable and have even considered buying him. I am just worried that there is something wrong with him. I was going to post this question on the Senegal board, but it looks like no one goes there. He really does look like he's having fun, he also clicks when he does this, but I just don't know and the shop says he's fine just does this when he's being silly.
Any ideas? Thanks so much!

From what you have described it sounds like this is a young senegal and he is doing a "begging" action. When they are first weaned or if they are weaned too early they will "beg" by pumping up and down and making a clicking noise. They will at times even use this same behavior to beg for attention.

Thank you so much, I was worried that something might be wrong with him. He's an absolute angel. It does make me feel sad to think he may have been weaned too early. Do you think that will be a problem later?

It seems to be different for each bird. My african grey Lewy was weaned early and he is a complete sweetie. I didn't get him until he was older and he was quite aggressive with his previous owner (his only other owner who weaned him at around 8 weeks). He will still do the begging, usually now he uses it for attention.

We had a sun conure come in that was weaned early and we went back and "reweaned" him. We used warmed sweet potato, pasta etc and fed him by spoon twice a day, gradually lessening the amount and he does great. He still likes the occassional treat on his spoon but doesn't beg for food.

We had an amazon in that weaned early and she is still very untrusting of people she begs and then tries to bite anyone that comes near, we are trying the "reweaning" on her but so far it is not making any difference in her behavior so we are taking it slowly.

It could be that this bird will have a great attitude if treated well now and it could be that it will continue begging and start screaming/chirping loudly for attention, there is no real way to tell from one bird to another. The main thing would be watching the diet to make sure it is eating enough and staying at a good weight and offering warmed foods etc for comfort foods at least for a while.