I had Sammy on my shoulder and I thought that she was in her happy mood with her head bobbing up and down. I had to do a couple of things so I placed her on her cage and she continued on and then I noticed she was opening her beak. Well she regurgitated and it came out like a little ball and landed on the floor by her cage. I have to say I know this is supposed to be a compliment but I thought it was a little gross. Do you think this means I am over bonding with her? She is only 5 1/2 months, is that young for this sort of behavior.

I don't think it's too young for her to be doing that. I also don't think that she's 'over-bonding' with you, but it isn't something you want to encourage.

I do have a suggestion....in your other post you said that she is starting to bite...if this is the case, then she shouldn't be allowed on your shoulder. The shoulder is a privilege spot and only a bird that has proven they can behave themselves belongs up there. If she decides to nip/bite you while on your shoulder, you could have a serious facial injury.

So, if it were me, I wouldn't allow her on my shoulder until you know you can trust her not to bite you.

Jade regurgitates for me, too, but thankfully she doesn't insist I accept. So I say "thank you" and ignore it. Clyde, bless him, makes the motion but doesn't produce anything, he just makes the gesture for form's sake. It IS gross, but they mean well. It's the quid pro quo of the bird world -- you feed me, so let me feed you.

Thanks guys! I will keep Sammy off my shoulder for a bit, it is her favorite spot so I know she won't be too happy about that! I also won't encourage her. Siobhan, Sammy didn't insist either, thank god lol.

I agree with Carrie about the shoulder... Also while it is considered the highest compliment they can give us, I wouldn't encourage it.

I'm one that is into putting a name on actions...For instance with regurging we call it "gacking" I just try to tell them when I see them first starting the motion "no gacking" and I put them back on their cage. The next time their out if they start I say no gacking or you go back to your cage. A couple times of doing that and they get the idea that if they gack...they go back. So basically its the same as telling them no biting...

I have noticed though that they are less apt to attempt to regurge for you if they are not up at the same level as your mouth.

Yeah it is gross whether or not a compliment. But I have seen our baby lovebirds trying feed each other and their parents. So they can do it pretty young. It is an affection/chosen mate thing. Definitely don't encourage it. Not like we need to tell you eh? Lol..

Our baby is only about 9 weeks old now, and he does kind of a gagging motion but thankfully nothing has ever come up. Is this him doing the let me regurgitate for you thing? I've also heard that sometimes when they yawn it can look like that. But when it's bedtime I've seen him yawn and there isn't any head bobbing along with it, whereas when the little gaggy motion happens he bobs his head with it. Not to be confused when he opens his mouth and bobs his head and quakes.

Could be. Would have to see it to be sure though.