Caique

Question
I have a 10 month old female Caique.  The breeder named her SweetPea. She has bonded with me and even regurgitates for me on occasion.  This evening we were playing the usual upside down silly game when SHE began to demonstrate mating behavior on my hand. I could have expected this from a male.  The very large retail store sold her to me as a female.  Is this behavior common for a bird this young and specifically a female?  I also have a five year old Senegal that bonded with me when he was young.  He will do a circular show off dance on my hand, but never the act of mating, like the female Caique did.  Signed, "Confused"

Answer
Yes she is trying to mate with you my cockatiel does this type of behavior with her perch females tend to "do it" with tails down and males with tails up although I've seen it both ways. try to distract her with a toy or favorite food when she starts this. BIRD TALK had a recent article that recommended trying to establish a more teacher student bond as opposed to a best buddy bond especially during this hormonal period. Try to keep her stimulated to keep her mind off mating keep her cage covered for around 12 hrs to simulate winter instead of spring, don't let her have any nest type places (if she has a hut or tent she sleeps in fine but monitor it), and try to avoid nesting material she might shred. I hope this gives you some ideas.