Beak Wiping

[Corkysgirl]

I notice my fledglings do it a lot. I wonder if they do it because of the changing hormones.

[MiaCarter]

I've heard that too --- that they wipe their beaks to keep them in shape.

But it seems really frequent. If it was a normal keep-my-beak-in-shape thing, I'd expect the birds in the other cage to do the same. (And to be honest, in my years of keeping finches, I've never had them do this much beak wiping!)

@Corkysgirl -- that's odd that your fledglings do it.
I've got the opposite situation.
My fledgling is the only one in that cage who *doesn't* do it! LOL

So confusing!

I think the ritualistic explanation makes the most sense to me.
I wonder if it started as a result of hormones or territorial-ness or whatnot and then just became habit. So now, it's a motion that's just engrained in their "culture."

[Corkysgirl]

It is funny MiaCarter. I wondered when I saw the fledglings doing it if their beak was itching. I guess the beak is like a fingernail so it can't itch but maybe the part that comes out of their face....hey what do I know! But yes, maybe it is a habit. I wonder if one of the moderators can watch the video and give their opinion. It just doesn't look like anything serious, but sort of how animals rub their horns together or scrape their hoofs on the ground., either habit or ritualistic...showing off maybe. I had one hen that used to do it a lot. I don't have her any more. Nothing was ever wrong with her. I just have people want birds sometimes so I will part with 4 or 5 and then they reproduce and they're back. I'd be interested in knowing what they think so if you find out please tag me in case I don't see it.

[KarenB]

Pretty much all birds do the beak wipe thing. I've seen it in my parrots, finches and wild birds, as well. It's a bird thing, and it is done for various reasons. I didn't see anything in the video that would have alarmed me. In fact, I probably wouldn't have even given it a second thought. Birds communicate in many different ways. One thing I thought was interesting that I did notice, when I looked the second time, both the white finch and the other finch (sorry, not sure who is who) wiped their beak in the same spot on that perch.

[MiaCarter]

KarenB -- Thanks for your thoughts!

You're right! I hadn't noticed that, but they do wipe their beaks in the same spot on the perch.
I'm going to look out for that. That would make sense for a territorial thing. Ivy, the white bird, has started a clutch in the nest on the left. Her and Molly Sue "own" the little green perch. But perhaps they own the wooden dowel one as part of their territory too!

The white bird Ivy seems a slight bit aggressive in that video. Not aggressive in a bad way, but she's clearly the in-charge bird, like she "owns" that turf.

In watching that video again, I realized I forgot to put in my new foliage! I'd been waiting so as to not upset them when they were parenting Squeepers. Better pop it in before babies arrive!

[Corkysgirl]

I wonder if it leaves a hormone/smell on the perch...like marking their territory. It's so interesting that they're doing it in the same area!

[Colt]

Or perhaps that particular area of the perch is most conducive to good beak rubbings?

Either way I wouldn't worry too much about the behavior. I don't see anything alarming about it and they appear to be in good health.

[Barb]

Wild birds also do this.

[Justino222]

Ive read that its part of a nesting ritual type thing, that and breeding.

[redhead]

I was going to ask about this same thing! My male flew down by the female on the feeder and very deliberately wiped each side of his beak in turn several times. Then he stared at the female, who was ignoring him (I think). Then he flew off to the highest perch.

[Prism]

I have seen my boys do this right before the sideways look that signals the start of their dance. For one in particular, it his part of his routine. I think of it as a quick grooming to look his best before the song. I've also seen it pretty often after eating and assumed they were just wiping their mouths.