My quaker puts his nose to the ground and keeps it to the ground while walking really fast to get to me. I guess it could be because he may be in the dark trying to find me by scent, or it may be he is trying to make sure he doesn't hit anything? Any ideas? I have a lovebird and cockatiel and know neither species to do this.

When my quaker is on top of his cage, he will put his beak down and back up when he doesn't want to come to me, kind of the same thing. I think it is a quaker thing for sure.......

Now that you say that, I think it may be a way for them to balance their direction when walking. What do you think? I mean they can be very clumsy birds, especially when they are little, and this probably helps them balance. Any confirmations or other responses guys?

yeah mine too

I would sooner say he is preparing to bite down on his cage and hold on to it if he does not want picking up. Paco does that on top of his cage too - it can be quite comical seeing him hang on ´for dear life´!

there was just a thread recently about LGCs that stare intently at their feet. louie doesn't stare at his feet or walk around with his head down. he does do the head down when he doesn't wanna be picked up tho.

goofy the CAG, otoh, will walk on the floor with his head turned completely upside down. very comical to watch. maybe your bird just likes the view or the sensory stimulation of his beak rubbing on the floor? lol. sometimes behaviors defy explanation and just end up being cute little quirks.

kris

Eli puts his head down when he needs better balance. I think of it as a tri-pod walk!
He does this when he's walking down someone's arm or when he's stepping from a higher place to a lower place.

When he's on my shoulder and it's time for nighty-night, I'll put my finger up to him so he can step-up but if he's not ready, he'll put his beak down by my finger so I can't get to his feet and so I'll rub his beak!
He loves nighty-night but if I haven't spent enough time with him, he'll stall going to bed .... just like a little kid! It's a riot.
And when he does go into his cage, he'll keep climbing on the bars next to me saying, "kimme kiss, kimme kiss" and then does his kissy noises.
What a little manipulator!

My quaker does this to people he doesnt like. He puts his beak down and runs toward the person and when close lunges like he wants to bite.

We have a center island in our kitchen that he plays on alot and if someone else other than my son or I get near the island he will do this.

He also does the same thing if our cockatiel is out close to him. I have always been there to put my hand between him and the cockatiel and he will turn around and go the other way, but as soon as I move my hand he turns and charges again.

I dont even think the cockatiel knows hes in danger, he doesnt even try to get away and will actually try to get closer!

My quaker does this on the bottom of his cage when he is playing and running round on the towel i have on the bottom of the cage! i think in some quakers its a comfot thing some its balance and some they simply like the feel of the surface!
its obvious from this thread though that its obv a quaker trait lol maybe if u google ur question?