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HI,
wondering if there's someone can help me with this.
My eckie, male 7-yr old, started "regurgitating" recently just 1 hr after eating. He likes to dump half digested food on my fingers, lips and sometimes the lips. Looks like he's feeding me. Is This behaviour normal or because of the bird having digestion probles?
thanks!

The behavior is usually just a normal response. It's a mate related behavior meaning your bird "wants" you.
I do have to say that your comment about it happening one hour after eating worries me a bit.
Is it always one hour after eating and if so, how often does it happen? Is everything else normal such as poop?
You may want to watch out for things that may stimulate breeding behaviors such has how many hours of daylight he's getting and refrain from petting him on his lower back or under the wings. In fact, you may want to stick to just petting him on his head for a while.
I do think that it's normal breeding/mate related behavior. Your bird probably views you as his mate.

If it is constant and you don't think it's breeding related, call your avian vet and tell him/her about what's been going on. You may not have to actually take him in for a visit, but your vet should advise you on that.

hello,sugarcookie
thanks so much for your suggestion! The bird did it again today not on me but on the perch. I got a video of this and posted on youtue. He also makes strange sound while "regurgitating". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKK2J0b8L8E

I have another question, is eckie better to be paired with aonther hen instead of keeping as a single?

Once again, thanks!

Derek

Dear Derek,

Your eckie seems just fine to me. I have several mating pairs as well as a male companion and a female companion (not paired up for fear of loosing the companionship.) His discharge looks normal as it appears it is coming from the crop, however stiff (looks like the mixture needs more water or juice.)

The thing with eckies is that their digestive system is soo long! They have longer systems than most birds. That is why their diet is of concern as compared with most every other type of parrot. What do you feed him? Is it a diet especially for Eclectus?

When looking for specific problems in an Eclectus with this type of activity (regurgitation) the key is to look for liver disease or dietary problems. Keep a keen eye on the belly just above the legs to see if there is any color change (from green to yellow in a horizontial line.) This will indicate any problem coming his way from this activity. (see pg 61- picture "Eclectus Parrots" by Katy McElroy, Barron's Publications) (as well as pg 57- abnormal droppings.)

But all in all, he looks pretty good. I would try giving him more baths (showers with you) to increase his water intake.

Good Luck,
Dutch

Hello Dutch,
Thank you for the advice. I had the bird checked at avian vet and there're no liver problems according to the test(the blood test is expensive, which costs me 122 aussie dollars). His upper beak was overgrown so had it clipped. The vet also recommended having a "respiratory tract speciman" done, he said "sinus infection" may contribute the beak overgrown, as a result I paid extra 80 dollars. plus consultation and a few antibiotics, this visit costs me 300 AUD.

The bird's diet consists of fruits, rice, sunflower seeds (small amount), pellets (which he doesn't like) and some other human food (pizza, chicken, noodle).

You mentioned that the companionship between eckie and the owner. i definitely enjoying the bonding with the bird, but what's the negative aspects if a male eckie is not paired? (e.g. the bird's sexual need is not met if the bird has such need)

thanks

Derek

there's the link to see the difference between overgrown and normal beak. is that normal now? i'm not quite sure. someone told me that it's still a bit longer than normal. (need to copy the following manually)

http://icucme.spaces.live.com/?_c11_Pho ... PhotoAlbum