Beak clicking sound?

[FinchFan09]

Hi. I purchased two Florida Fancy Zebra males today and have them in a quarantine cage. I noticed one of them making a clicking sound with it's beak. I am about 100% sure it is not air sac mite because the beak isn't open, it isn't related to breathing and he has no other symptoms, and I've seen his beak move when the clicking sound is made. The sound is definitely coming from the beak. I'd never heard this before so I was curious if anyone could tell me what this behavior meant and if everything is ok. Thanks!

[dfcauley]

I wouldn't worry too much right now. If you just got them they may be nervous or making warning sounds.
It is rare for zebras to have air sac mites anyway. I would just keep them isolated and watch them for a while.

[GOULDYGIRL]

My female Gouldian makes this noise. I've had my pair for almost 5mos now and couldn't figure it out. After reading your post and Donna's response it's making me wonder.

At first I thought she might have airsac mites although she didn't have any other symptoms I treated them as a preventative. She only makes this noise when lights go out and I walk into the room afterwards. I'm wondering now if it's a warning noise or something. She's more jumpy then my male and since they can't see too well in the dark she might get nervous when she hears me. I don't hear this noise during the day.

I bet that is what's going on with your Zebra's as well, especially that they are new.

Renee

[dfcauley]

Renee,

Do you treat your gouldians with any type of air sac med as a precaution?

Even if I didn't think it was mite, I would treat them to be safe.

[GOULDYGIRL]

Yes, I treated them with Iverlux from Morning Bird as a preventative and also treated my Societies as well just in case.

Renee

[Finch Fry]

I have Zebras, this is one of their warning sounds. Anytime I need to handle the hen, upon being released, she will stare at me with her beak open and click at me until I walk away.

The hen also did it without me handling her when she has eggs/hatchlings and is sitting on the babies or just out for a minute to grab a quick bite to eat.

[rubian77]

I know this is an old thread, but it's pertinent to my current situation... my hand-fed zebra finch Paddington (2 months old) has been clicking her beak when we have her out of her cage for her daily dose of interaction.

It's almost like she's chewing food that isn't there, and she doesn't always do it. My husband thinks she's mimicking us as we make "kissy" noises with our lips (Paddington's "cute trick" is that she likes to give kisses on our lips...and then nip them in the process. Quite endearing.).

Any thoughts? I'm not sure if the "warning signal" is her rationale, since we've been her parents since she was kicked out of her nest on her first day of life....why would she be afraid of us when she otherwise flies to us readily, nuzzles our necks, and snuggles down into our palms? (Granted, she's never thrilled about going back into the cage....)

Thanks in advance!

[lovemyfinch]

I don't think WE have anything to worry about. My little handfed society will click his beak and purrr (without the purring sound), but just the sensation he makes when he hops in my hand. I would like to think that this is their little way of showing contentment. He will do this for about a minute and then start singing.