GCC Trying to Preen My Mouth?

[AKahle6868]

Hey guys,

Some of you know I’ve recently adopted a GCC named Gracie. She is about 2-3 years old and I’ve noticed a new behavior I’d like to curb.

Normally she just sits on my arm or shoulder and just hangs out. She preens herself, preens my hair, and overall just stays cute.

Yesterday she crawled up he front of my shirt and preened (quite painfully) my neck before nuzzling into my hair which was fine but tonight she took it a bit further. She climbed my shirt, starting preening my neck, and then started trying to preen my lips and inside my mouth.

It kind of scared me so I flinched and she flew to the top of my head. When I had her step up on my arm she tried again and this time painful preened my bottom lip. I tried not to react but when I ask her to step up she nips at my hand until I almost have to scoop her up to discontinue the lip abuse.

How do I curb this? She is one determined little girl and I don’t feel she is being aggressive but all of her skin preening is quite painful.

Any suggestions?

Thank you.

 

[Gazimon]

I normally give a feedback noise instead of staying quiet, but without making any sudden movements. When Moony preens too hard I make a high-pitched sound/cheep that mimics what I notice my lovebirds do when they preen each other. Its meant to tell the preener to be gentle when they nip a pin feather too hard. He's normally a bit more gentle after that. But he doesn't nip my lip, although he's tried to preen around my eyes before.

Is your bird trying to feed you or engage in other type of beak-to-beak behavior?

 

[saroj12]

your saliva is toxic

 

[AKahle6868]

I normally give a feedback noise instead of staying quiet, but without making any sudden movements. When Moony preens too hard I make a high-pitched sound/cheep that mimics what I notice my lovebirds do when they preen each other. Its meant to tell the preener to be gentle when they nip a pin feather too hard. He's normally a bit more gentle after that. But he doesn't nip my lip, although he's tried to preen around my eyes before.

Is your bird trying to feed you or engage in other type of beak-to-beak behavior?

So far no. She doesn’t regurgitate for me or anything like that. This is the first time she has done this so I will keep that in mind next time she is preening me too hard.

 

[AKahle6868]

your saliva is toxic

She didn’t actually make it inside my month just on the outside of my bottom lip. I will make sure she is kept far away from my mouth just in case. Thank you.

 

[Mizzely]

I just redirect, either by petting them or giving them a foot toy