Red nose

[anu1again]

Hi

I need help with Smokey my 2 month old COG. He seems to be putting his nose on the wires in a corner of the cage and taking his legs and trying to scratch things out of his way. I think I read that they call this "Cleaning house". I took the grate out and he still does it in the newspaper. I have lots of toys for him and I spend alot of time with him,holding him and playing with him. I noticed that now the area above the beak is turning a dark pink and I want to know if anyone has any ideas how I can stop him from doing it.

Thank you

Smokey's mom

[judygram]

This is interesting to say the least, why don't you post a picture to show us what you are talking about.

[anu1again]

I will try to take one tomorrow and post it. It looks like it is happening when he puts his face down on the grate and kicks his feet as if he was a dog burying his poop. Sorry no other way to explain it.

[judygram]

I call that chicken scratching and most all of them do it especially as babies, they tend to do it less and less as they get older but a picture would help immensely.

[Spock]

Your correct, It's cleaning house, they do it in they're nest in the wild, it's cute...I'll check into the pink beak...Maggie

[Xtreme575]

Ya, I'd like to see a picture of the pink area above your parrot's beak. I know that I've noticed my bird can "blush" in that area when he is annoyed or really active, it's like the blood rushing to the area. Judy and Maggie are dead right, many of our birds do this, especially if young. I haven't seen my do it in months, but I suspect he may still do it while he is alone.

[jessdecutie18]

Yoshi's beak also gets pink on top occasionally... I believe when she is very warm or active. I don't think it's anything to worry about, and neither is the scratching. Lots of birds scratch at the corners on their cage like digging, Yoshi used to do it all the time. Now she only digs when trying to squeeze herself into a tight spot, like under the couch cushions (lol, she still loves to hide out in there )