I can't find the post but very recently someone attached some info sheets about Parrot Play. After reading it, I believe I need to seriously modify my play approach (I'm acting like a mate?) but want some feedback.

Tucker and I have these play sessions where I excitedly say, "I'm gonna get you, get you, get you!" while I am GENTLY grabbing his beak and he tosses his head back and forth like a dog would and makes all these adorable growly sounds "fake biting" me (so intentionally gentle it's sweet) and while I'm doing THAT I'm kissing, kissing, kissing his ears and he's puffing up and excited. It really is like roughhouseing (but gently of course) with a dog. And that's exactly what the sheet said not to do but without details.

I never though much of it until yesterday he "got down" with one of his toys soon after. Also, is it okay for me to stroke under his wings? He loves that and holds them up for me -- but again I don't want to become his mate.

Your thoughts?

Jen

My quaker is new to my home but i do stroke under his/her wings as he/she loves it!! especially after a bath! I also kiss all over oatis' head :S how could we stop that..really!! lol

I dont know of a negative reaction from this type of play. That is exactly how I play with Kirby on a daily basis and I have not seen any bad behavior from this. We "rough play" all of the time, and its sooo cute how he plays just like a dog too. But if this does cause any bad things id like to know too

I don't think it's a problem unless he's in one of those amorous periods. During that time, touching him on his back and under his wings is construed as serious flirting and should be avoided.

We play the 'I'm gonna get you' game too and Casey loves it!

Whenever I'm with Casey and she starts getting a little exited (puffing up, clicking etc.) I stop/distract her with something else, just don't encourage it. Usually petting under the wings and on the back etc. puts them in the mood. Just use your own judgement, if he's overly excited then stop but if he's okay and just playing happily then that should be fine.

You little one is too young at this point to worry too much about that. When they say under the wings they're referring to along his side down to his butt. But if you scratch or tickle just below the actual joint or just slightly in front of that its fine.

If you were to see an actual pair of birds doing this "frisky play" you would understand. A lot of times when the male is feeling amorous he will put on of his feet up on the females back and stroke her and sometimes she in turn will rub her beak or her foot along his side under the wing. And sometimes the opposite applies, so as long as it doesn't become a daily ritual of the stroking and him posturing etc. I wouldn't worry abou the play time right now. When he matures more and starts showing signs of being amorous thats when you want to being more aware of how you touch him.

Thanks for all the GREAT info!

Jen

I missed the pages you are talking about, but I think rough housing can be good, so long as it doesn't cross the line, for you or the Quaker. If you find, at some point, your QP doesn't settle down when the rough housing is done, or becomes more aggressive, then it's time to stop that activity.

In the meantime, have fun with it