What does it mean when a bird bobs his head up and down fast?

Question

I have a rescued Quaker I"m trying to tame, and he just looked at me and then bobbed his head up and down really fast. It looked funny and he didn't seem scared, so I'm guessing he was excited?

Is there a good link out there that explains bird body language in Quakers?

Answer 1

Aw...i love it.

Its so cute. This is when it is happy and it wants to greet you. :D

So i guess its already tamed. Just try to tame it yourslef another time so it would be better.

P.S When my bird does that, i nod my head back. :D

Answer 2

quakers are known for head bobbing especially when they are young and still being hand fed. a lot of birds tend to 'bob' their head because they are excited by what is going on around them. i have a blue crown and a senegal and they tend to bob around when im cleaning their cages and they are just being happy little birds. birds take a long time to get used to you . they think everything is out to get them. as long as you are patient with him and undertsand what may make him scared then you should be fine.

Answer 3

My African Grey does the same thing when he wants to get my attention, and to tell me that he wants to get out of his cage. It's just something they do when they are excited, and because we react to it, it encourages them to do it more.

If he's only been with you a week then he will still be adjusting to his new environment, just give him time and he should go to you, but don't try and force him, you will just stress him and make him not trust you.

Good luck with your new friend.

Answer 4

My cockatiel did that, usually while "singing rap music" as a friend of mine called it; I could even nod my head and get her to do it. I know it's pretty common to see cockatoos do it. Excited is a pretty good description... playful is another. I'm not sure if that's a general trait seen in quakers, but it's always possible that someone may have taught him to do it, or he may have picked it up from another bird.

Answer 5

He may have an upper respiratory infection. All birds lose their balance a little bit when they are sick, so you may want to ask your vet about checking for a respiratory infection.

As far as behaviors of that species, I haven't seen that behavior before.

Answer 6

AHA! When they do that they are feeding you :)

birds are like hamsters and what they do is store their food and later if they like you ;) they will bob their head to get the food ad offer it to you.. so when food comes out don't think he barfed! : )

hope that helped ;D

Answer 7

they are listening to you when they do this