Hello all. I bought a sweet little Quaker last year around this time. He (I think he's a he)was not quite weaned but that worked out for me because it gave us that wonderful bonding time. Recently he hit his first breeding season. What fun that has been! It started with out-of-nowhere attacks that lasted for a week and now he is perfect, more affectionate than he ever was before. But (there always is a but) now he is regurgitating for me (sweet but flowers would suffice! ) and playing with his toys in a way that is not appropriate if you get my drift. I have taken away the toy he was giving the most "affection" to and that seems to have helped with that. Any advice as to how to discourage these behaviours would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your help!

Well if he is in his cage I don't think I would discourage it in anyway...After all it is nature taking it's course...Just don't let him get happy with you if you know what I mean... They have to have their happy time too...When I see Harley in his cage, I don't discourage it.... And he certainly is having many happy times a day in his cage.......Just my opinion....

I can definitely see your point. I like your bluntness Maybe I will give the toy back but put it inside the cage rather than on the outside where he is a public spectacle. I leave him out whenever I am home because I don't like him to be caged when he doesn't have to be. He has many of his toys on the outside and that was one of them. I have to say, I read online somewhere that people have mistaken this behavior for a "cute new trick" they learned....those people must be virgins!

I agree with Julie, its a natural behavior, they just need to learn where it's appropriate and where its not...On a human is not an appropriate place. A toy in his cage or play area is an acceptable place. Some schools of thought are to totally discourage the behavior...and I'm thinking, why add more stress to the birds life. Let them get there jollies...just not on me!

As for regurgitating. I would NOT encourage that to another human or other animal other than a bird... While its the highest compliment they can pay you, its not the right type of bond that you want from your bird. If they start to regurge for you, I usually use the "No Gacking" and if they continue I say, NO Gacking or its back to your cage...After a few times of getting put away for that behavior they figure out that that's something that isn't acceptable...also by not allowing them up on your shoulder you can lessen that behavior, because they don't consider you an equal or and underling that way. Again...just my Opinion

Your opinion is greatly appreciated. This is all new behavior that I wasn't prepared for but I am learning. I suppose if I could teach the dog to take his stuffed "girlfriend" in his carrier to romance her then surely I can teach Stewie to do it in his cage. I have been trying to discourage the regurgitating. I will use your advice there. So I suppose if 'he' is regurgitating for me then it would be safe to say he's a he? Or does it work both ways?

It works both ways. Both males and females do it. Males can/will do it to other males and females are the same.

Also, while your bird is so hormonal, I would cease any 'back pettings'. Keep petting to the head area and if s/he gets a bit rambunctious, then cease it all together.

Thanks Carrie~Anne. You have been a big help since he started this. He is definitely improving. He is being very, very sweet. Rather than before with the biting now he doesn't want me to put him back down once I pick him up!

ugh... this is so something i'm not looking forward to!

my male cat is neutered but he still tries to hump everything in sight. makes for a great conversation piece when company is over i'm so not looking forward to my bird doing the same thing!

Ahh no problem! Stewie is a great bird and this will pass. You managed to persevere through the biting and you'll make it through this too You're doing a wonderful job with him!

Some of us are lucky and don't go through it (I think my girl is saving it all up for a time when I least expect it!), others seem to have a heck of a time every year. There is just no telling with these birds

Cats I know how to deal with! Get a squirt bottle and have fun with it! He will at least slow down and you will get to a point where all you have to do is pick the bottle up and he'll run for the hills.




I do appreciate the encouragement. He is adorable and has quite a personality!

Hey gang - I'll add my 2 cents in here too. Since birds breed when there's lengthening days, you might trying covering the cage for at least 12 hours every night. It might take the edge off the hormonal surge. I noticed my QP got a lot more mellow when she was getting consistent sleep. I'm here in Minnesota where the days get really, really long in the summer (9:45 sunsets) so covering the cage so my bird gets enough sleep is a must-do. Good luck! Keep us posted!