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Re: Does your bird like its Beak rubbed?
Posted by Rick on 1/22/09

On 1/22/09, karen wrote:
> On 1/21/09, Rick wrote:
>> We are currently Fostering a U2 and I have noticed that it
>> seems he likes his beak massaged. He will extend his upper
>> beak outwards when I am rubbing it. The appearance of this
>> is that he looks like he a bad case of overbite. Does
> anyone
>> else have a bird that enjoys their beak being massaged or
>> rubbed?
>> Thanks in advance,
>> Rick
>
> Yes, Rick
> In my experience the first place you will be able to touch a
> rescue bird is the beak.
> It is there strongest most secure spot.
> You can not hurt them & they can bite to defend themselves.
> You can be seen & they can watch your every move.
> I always test a refuge or rescued bird beak first.
> They will quickly let you know if they are comfortable with
> you! Best to use slow movements & if they grab you slowly
> push your finger toward there mouth to get a release. Never
> jerk your finger out of a toos mouth if you can help it.
> But I will bet you know that! Ouch! Toos have such a bite
> Macaws that grab I tend to wrap the fingers around the upper
> beak & pry the beak open if need be. Amazons, I put there
> feet on the ground to get the release & pick them up again
> with the flat of my palm in front of there beak -strike the
> palm all they want- Watch for eye pinning before a bad bite.
> My OWA now enjoys letting me groom his beak, keep it clean &
> remove any flakes. This took about a year to gain this trust.
> The TAG wants to kiss, kiss when I touch his beak. He was
> not treated badly & has no trust issues
> They are all different but it is a great place to start
> gaining trust & seeing the birds limits.

Karen, Thanks for the input. Never truly thought of it in the
sense that you've written. We learn something new everyday.

We have been pretty fortunate with this little U2 to be able to
touch him, with caution of course, pretty much all over. Testing
the water, sort to speak, with him as we weren't given much
hands on information when he came to us. I am too daring, but
the only way to find out his quirks. Yes, I have been bitten by
an M2 in the past, so do fully understand and appreciate the
full impact of those lovely beaks. There is nothing more
rewarding (call it sadistic) than a Cartilage Crunch to the
knuckle. OUCH!

Been 3 weeks and he is feeling more confident as the days go by.
The beak massaging I have never encountered in our other birds
(Macaws), as they don't mind their beaks being touched either,
so wasn't totally sure with Toos. Some things are just taken for
granted, until we are forced to THINK! And I also remembered
that they do have blood vessels and nerve endings, therefore
they would, might enjoy the massaging.

Thanks again, Rick

Posts on this thread, including this one

• Does your bird like its Beak rubbed?, 1/21/09, by Rick.
• Re: Does your bird like its Beak rubbed?, 1/22/09, by karen.
• Re: Does your bird like its Beak rubbed?, 1/22/09, by Rick.