Gould With 'Fluttering' Wings..

[alfdtuna]

Every since I have had this one Gould he always flutter/flaps his wings when on the perch. I dont see anything odd with the wings, in fact he is probably the most active. It does not seem to effect anything, he flies fine, eats and is otherwise the same as everyone else, just has a nervous twitch it seems!. Anyone else seen this? does it mean anything?

[CandoAviary]

Is it a small fluttering? I have seen my males do this when breeding. They will use it towards other males in adjacent cages...like saying...I'm bad. Back off.....

Also have seen it when a bird is very nervous.

[Domenic]

Yes I've seen this, especially in small cages. It doesn't go away unless the gouldian is introduced to a larger environment, but otherwise it won't affect the bird negatively in any way.

[alfdtuna]

When he was in quarantime it was a smaller cage and I did consider that a possibility. He is now in a 40x30x70 flight but has not been there for long (couple days). He is with 3 other males (goulds) no ladies to court but again he is the only one that does it. It justs seems his wings are never still.

[Domenic]

My male gouldian Judah and my deceased male gouldian Carl both did this, even when put into my aviary. They especially did it when they were nervous, almost like they were looking for a perch to escape to. It may also be a neurological disorder, but I think it is probably just the behavior of overly nervous birds. I can't say for sure though.

[alfdtuna]

Everything you have both posted adds up, he is not quite settled (even though the others didnt do it) AND did come from a smaller cage. As long as he eats and and carries on like he is.. I suppose there are no worries! thanks!!

[CandoAviary]

I have paired a hen and cock up for breeding and no wing flutters. I have then added another pair of breeders in a cage on the rack next to the first pair. Then the first male will do this toward the new male that he sees. That is why I think it is more of a claim for territory. Usually the behavior stops one the first male realizes the second male isn't coming over to his space. Though sometimes I have to place a towel between the 2 cages so that they cannot see one another. I have also seen the hens do this. I am sure it is a threat posture over territory or mate.

I have also seen hens do this to males before they chased them. Like it is a warning to back off. Much like a dog raising his hackles. They do this in agreesion or fear.... depending on the circumstance you should be able to determine which case it is.
Are the other birds chasing him? then it may be a fearful, nervous reaction. Is he holeding his own? Could end up being a dominant male.

[Domenic]

Candace I think the wing fluttering you're thinking of is different from the one he is referring to. I've seen my green singer do this all the time, he lifts both wings up in the air to scare another bird off. The wing fluttering I believe he is talking about (or at least the one I see in my gouldians) is more like hopping around the perch and their wings tick a little. They sometimes go into full fledged flying motions right on the perch but they never go anywhere. This isn't directed towards any other birds (my gouldians don't even have other goulds to fight with.

[CandoAviary]

Maybe, that is why I asked in my first post if it was small fluttering.
I'm just sharing some of my personal observations of my birds as I know he does not have his set up for breeding. Either way I am sure it is harmless and will work itself out. Maybe his bird is just so happy to have space to flap in that he is making full use of it
Enjoy your gouldians Alfdtuna

[alfdtuna]

It appears today he is doing it less..I think the confinement had a lot to do with it.