licking

[jules1962]

hi, could anybody tell me why my cag casper, loves licking my fingers, especially inbetween them. And when he does it he salivas, even though my hands are perfectly clean. Thanks Julie.

[particle77]

salt builds up on our skin as we sweat(if you lick your own finger you may taste it). I suspect this is why casper licks you, as many other animals will lick humans for this reason.

[particle77]

btw, I'm not claiming you have sweaty hands :laugh: even if your not sweating noticably the salt tends to build up.

[Luvparrots]

When my Eclectus ran his tongue over my arm, I interpreted it as sexual. He is around 10 years old. How old is Casper?

[judygram]

Sunny will run her tongue over my skin sometimes but I don't really know what that means, it could be sexual, I am too embarrassed to ask:blush:

[Satchel]

I have found my new macaw doing the same thing. I was thinking that Tiko was finally trying to bond with me however strange that bonding may be. lmao

[jules1962]

thankyou all for your feedback, some very useful answers. I don't know if my hands are sweaty. i usually wash them before i handle my birds, but i have thought about salt myself. As for it being sexual, could be. Casper is 2 on the 18th of this month. Can anybody tell me roughly what age they start getting feelings? He has started making funny noises and drooping his wings right down and showing his back, but only when i go to put him back in his cage. thanks Julie.

[kittykittykitty]

I thought sexual maturity came a little later. Maybe others know for sure.

[Jane08]

Rangi also does it to me and I have always thought he is just preening me, because he does it mainly at night so I always wash my hands as I know he will try and do it.

 

I have never thought it was sexual because he has Kea for the sexual stuff and I was just part of the flock that he preens sometimes.

 

Sexualy maturity is about 4-6 years, some can be younger at 3 years, but of course they all show bonding signs when they are younger as we all know from the dropped wings to the regurgitation.

[Guest jamalbirdbiz]

itz a luvthang i wouldnt worry two much aoubt it. :silly:

[raleej337]

my 4 month old CAG does the same to me, I was thinking of salt too but not really sure. I suppossed to post my question but opt to search the forum for same question first.

[jules1962]

Im not sure either, had lots of suggestions as you can see. Does your cag only do it in the evening like Casper?

[raleej337]

jules1962 wrote:

Im not sure either, had lots of suggestions as you can see. Does your cag only do it in the evening like Casper?

 

actually everytime he is perching on my hand regardless of time of the day. i hope this is normal behavior but of course I don't want him doing this all the time, maybe i have to think of ways to modify this particular behavior.

[Debandbella]

Bella does the same thing, she will sit on my hand licking between my fingers for hours sometimes, shes even worse when ive just come out of the bath!