Parrot Throw Up

We've gotten a couple of questions regarding parrots that throw up on their owners. Obviously, this is not a wonderful thing to happen to you when you are enjoying your parrot's company. But, this action on the part of your parrot is rooted in their bonding and mating behavior.

You see, parrots usually mature, find a mate, raise bunches of babies and die. All this while trying to escape natives with shot guns, predator birds and monkeys, drought, famine and, let's not forget, pestilence. When a male parrot bonds with its mate, it is common practice to regurgitate food to the female. This is something he will do often while the female is caring for babies. Likewise, the female feeds her babies by regurgitation.

So when a parrot is truly bonded with you it is not uncommon for it to offer you some of its crop contents as a sign of this bonding. In effect, it is a testimonial of the love the bird has for its chosen owner.

How do you stop it without affecting your relationship? I think that you have more control then you suspect. Birds just don't just look at you, smile like nothing's happening, and spit up. Birds bob their heads quickly up and down and work the contents of their crops up into their throat. When you observe this behavior pull them away from you and tell them no.

Find a happy balance between goo-gooing and kissy-kissy (which may be sexually stimulating to the bird) and a mutually respectful give and take. Be patient and observant and you will find a way to calm the bird down before things get gross.

If you have successfully de-fused this behavior please write us so we can pass it on.
- posted by J-Birds @ 7:21 PM |