Head pressing in Eastern Rosellas

["Stephen Ambrose" <>]

While I agree with Philip and others that this is probably a response to mites or other ectoparasites, head-pressing in some birds and mammals can be a result of a neurological disorder. It is often seen in animals experiencing lead toxicity, so if the rosellas have been chewing wood that is coated with lead paint, or consuming food polluted with lead, they may have neurological damage.

 

Stephen Ambrose

Ryde NSW

 

 

 

From: Birding-Aus <> On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: 3 September 2019 2:53 PM
To: 'Geoff Ryan' <>;
Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Head pressing in Eastern Rosellas

 

That was my initial suggestion. Partly because it is a simple explanation: Got an itchy head? – scratch it. That does not require a complex thought process. I suggest that the other suggestions all required a complex thought process of steps of logic as to why the idea might become useful. Sure they could have been possible if it was a thought out process but only if the bird was amazingly intelligent and that seemed excessive to me. However if it was instinctive and beneficial for those reasons, then I would expect all members of the species, if not genus, if not family, if not order, as well as many other hole nesting birds to do it.

 

Head scratching an irritant just makes sense by itself.

 

Philip

 

From: Birding-Aus On Behalf Of Geoff Ryan
Sent: Friday, 30 August, 2019 6:26 AM
To: m("birding-aus.org","birding-aus");">
Subject: [Birding-Aus] Head pressing in Eastern Rosellas

 

Thanks Mike for doing the HANZAB Vol 5 search. I am now of the opinion that mite infestation is the most likely explanation for this peculiar behaviour. 

Geoff

 

Wed 28-Aug-19 7:06 AM

 

Once again we have Eastern Rosellas nesting in a box next to our lounge room wall. This year we have again observed a puzzling behavioural pattern by the nesting couple. The lengthy process of nest selection (we have two boxes in the backyard) involves much 'head pressing' where the bird presses its forehead on the box, around the box, around the house walls near the box and particularly on the awning strut, near the box, where they perch. This behaviour is mainly done by the male but both are involved. Now they have started laying the male still head presses when he perches on the strut awaiting the incubating female to emerge.

 

In my ignorance I think that this may be some sort of territorial marking - such as smearing some substance from glands in the skin of the forehead and by doing so laying claim to the nesting area.   

 

I would appreciate your considered opinions. 

 

Thanks   Geoff 

 

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