I have a McCaw Parrot he shakes his head up and down. Why do the parrots do this?

Answer 1

The answer directly above me...is crap. Don't listen to that guy.

Parrots dance, mimic behavior, and exercise all the time. My macaw, Rio bobs his head when he likes something. I'll ask him questions and if it's yes, he'll bob his head. If it's no, he'll actually shake his head back and fourth. The figure 8 that the moron above me is talking about is usually dancing NOT neglect.

They do it because it's fun, it's exercise and it gets your attention. You can train your bird to use it appropriately if you reward him for doing it in context (with praise or treats) and reward head shakes when something is no, and he uses it in context.

Sorry about the moron comments, but that guy above is probably a PETA rep, and well...has no interest in making sure you and your bird have a good, productive relationship. I'm sure if you worked hard to obtain a macaw that you're not keeping it in substandard evironments...jeez!

Answer 2

Macaw's typically do things like that either goofing around or for attention, the dude a couple things above me who just pasted someone's bias opinion is a moron, and obviously knows nothing about birds outside of google.

Answer 3

Great answer from Dee. Read all you can on parrot behavior, try to keep your bird happy, with the right toys, the right foods, lots of fruits and vegetables. Keep a routine with him, don't keep him up late for company. Keep his cage clean and let him get lots of exercise outside of the cage. I assume he is tame and can play on the outside of his cage.

Answer 4

Do you mean like a bobbing motion? My budgies do this, particularly when they are 'talking' to their favorite bell or toy or talking to each other. I think it's just a bird thing, a little thing they do like flapping their wings or chirping. I generally take it to mean that they are having fun.

Answer 5

Some birds who are grossly understimulated and kept in substandard conditions will develop stereotypic neurotic behaviors. They’ll bob their heads up and down constantly or they will weave their bodies in a figure 8. These are serious signs of neglect.

In my experience, birds are especially susceptible to developing behavioral problems simply due to the fact that they are wild animals meant to live in jungles and grasslands, foraging for food, flying many miles every day, mating and raising chicks, and expending great amounts of energy every day just trying to survive. These are very intelligent animals. When we take them out of their native habitats, either through trapping or through captive breeding, and place them in cages in our living rooms, feeding them a rather unnatural diet, not allowing them to fly, many of these animals will develop symptoms of that stress. Some birds certainly adapt to captivity better than others. I have rarely seen problems such as feather picking in smaller birds like Budgies and Cockatiels (but I have seen it!). There are certain species that seem to develop problems more often than others. Some Conures, African greys, and Cockatoos are known for the feather plucking problems. Cockatoos are often know for becoming problem screamers.



If your bird develops any behavioral problems, your first stop should be your avian vet. You should work with your vet and a competent avian behavioral consultant to manage these behaviors.

Found the above paragraphs on a site on the net. Copied it here for you to read.

Answer 6

Thats his way of saying I LOVE YOU I have one who does the same thing.

Answer 7

If you were in a cage, you would get boared and find that it is entertaning bobbing your head up and down.

Answer 8

He has a rap song in his head.

Answer 9

i think he is trying to communicate something to you like that he is happy to see you?

Answer 10

he hears something he enjoys :)