It thus seems that in the development of the pair-bonds, allopreening precedes allofeeding . . . T he females may be even more selective in choosing a mate than females of smaller parrots . . . It is therefore likely that my female A. albifrons did not find a desirable male in the aviary and that she will remain unpaired until a suitable male is introduced. Allopreening . . . A llopreening in A. Albifrons is confined to the head and neck region .
Solicitation is common by both members of a pair.
The soliciting parrot lowers its head and assumes a ruffled appearance. Once allopreening is initiated, the parrot being preened often alters the position of the head to indicate which area is to be preened. Solicitation of preening is apparently also used to appease or calm an excited male. This behavior, which should not be confused with allofeeding, consists of two birds gently locking bills while flicking their tongues in a manner similar to feather nibbling. The birds were fed daily on a parrot mix, apples and oranges.