SH>    Hi everyone.... I have a Congo African Grey who does an odd
SH>    thing when he's on a carpeted floor. Wonder if anyone out there
SH>    can explain it? He will come up to an object (person, shoe, toy,
SH>    furniture), put his beak to the floor and start scratching at the
SH>    floor. He looks just like a chicken in a barnyard scratching for
SH>    seed! The kids think he's trying to dig a hole to hide in, but
SH>    it looks more like feeding behavior or something. Can anyone
SH>    help? Thanks.
My jenday hen, Rio, did this for years. She'd put down her beak and
scoot forward and back, making a noise like somebody scratching corduroy
fabric. We didn't know what to think, until somebody (I can't recall
who, however) told us it was a sexual behavior. Apparently the beak is
very sensitive, and rubbing it feels good, similar to what a mate would
do when preening and showing affection. Since we got Rio a mate of her
own, she doesn't do this anymore. As near as we could figure, it's a
harmless behavior, nothing to worry about, and it IS good for a few
laughs. 
--Kathy
 * SLMR 2.1a * Constant change is here to stay!
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