What does this sound mean?

[asrielshaven]

My little approx. 15 week old Ringneck guy makes plenty of different sounds. From loud contact calls, to tiny and adorable peeps. However, there's one sound he makes that I can't quite pinpoint. I've tried looking online for any info about bird sounds, but I can't find anything that sounds like what he's doing.

It seems to happen whenever I get my face close to him (by accident or not). He's comfortable enough with me so that I can sit close and he won't be bothered, but if my face is near him, and pins his eyes and makes this little sound. It sounds akin to beak grinding, but really more like a tiny growl. When I did research on birds growling, it was louder and apparently is only seen in African Greys.
At first I thought it was a positive sign, as he did it at one point while perched on one foot. Figured maybe it was him trying to mimic my kissy noises. But later on he did it when my young niece put her hand on his perch. It seems more like a warning if anything.

I would try getting a video, but it's so quiet and I don't want to provoke him. I'm pretty sure it's negative now, but just would like some further input.

EDIT: I should add that occasionally the sound is accompanied by a very slow head bob

 

[expressmailtome]

Bump.

 

[sunnysmom]

@cassiesdad ?

 

[cassiesdad]

It seems to happen whenever I get my face close to him (by accident or not). He's comfortable enough with me so that I can sit close and he won't be bothered, but if my face is near him, and pins his eyes and makes this little sound. It sounds akin to beak grinding, but really more like a tiny growl. When I did research on birds growling, it was louder and apparently is only seen in African Greys.
At first I thought it was a positive sign, as he did it at one point while perched on one foot. Figured maybe it was him trying to mimic my kissy noises. But later on he did it when my young niece put her hand on his perch. It seems more like a warning if anything.

...sounds like it might be a sound than might be related to relaxation...IRNs don't, as a rule, like human hands...when she put her hand on the perch, she might have startled him...and he made a sound that he was already making...

 

[cassiesdad]

I should add that occasionally the sound is accompanied by a very slow head bob

...that also makes me think your little guy is in a relaxed mood when he's making the noise..

 

[asrielshaven]

...that also makes me think your little guy is in a relaxed mood when he's making the noise..

Thanks for your thoughts!