# Parrots **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 3, 2000, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026 "2000-03-03T01:43:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![perkitl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@perkitl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perkitl)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/1 "2000-03-03T01:43:00Z")
I have a Mitred Conure Parrot who is eight months old. Recently, he has started rubbing his beak on my hand while I am holding him and then bobbing his head for a while and all of a sudden he regurgitates on my hand. Is he trying to feed me? Does this mean he is a girl or can he be a boy? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/2 "2000-03-03T01:58:00Z")
Cool question, perkitl. My parakeet (budgie) did the same for a while. I also wondered about it but there was no internet back then. So, I’ll be back here to learn the answer, I hope. Peae, mangeorge * * * I only know two things; I know what I need to know And I know what I want to know Mangeorge, 2000 ---
**Author:** ![perkitl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@perkitl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perkitl)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/3 "2000-03-03T02:16:00Z")
Mangeorge, you said your bird used to do this, he stopped? ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/4 "2000-03-03T02:22:00Z")
Yes, he (she?) stopped. It was a long time ago, but I remember he only did it for a while, maybe a few months. Seemed to grow out of it. I took it as an affectionate gesture. 🙂 Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![perkitl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@perkitl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perkitl)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/5 "2000-03-03T02:23:00Z")
It may be affectionate, but it makes me gag and he even made me throw up today. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/6 "2000-03-03T02:58:00Z")
Regurgitating on you is about the highest form of affection a parrot can give you. Yes, he’s trying to feed you. ---
**Author:** ![perkitl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@perkitl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perkitl)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/7 "2000-03-03T03:00:00Z")
WOW! He must really like me. How do you know this? ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/8 "2000-03-03T05:57:00Z")
It is sexual behavior. Your bird has no other bird partner, so it has bonded to you. You are not supposed to encourage this sort of behavior. If your bird gets really frustrated, you may want to consider getting another bird for it to bond with. Discuss this with your vet before you do it. Michelle Vet Tech ---
**Author:** ![perkitl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9de053/32.png) [@perkitl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/perkitl)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2000, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/parrots/8026/9 "2000-03-03T06:14:00Z")
How should I go about not encouraging this type of behaviour? I don’t want to hurt his feelings or make him feel unwanted. Something else he did today was not want to go back into his cage at all. He wanted to stay with me all day. Do you know of a web site where I could get more information about this bonding and be better able to deal with it in a positive way?