Blue Crimson Rosellas - Male Pestering Female

[steevwatson]

Hi
I was given a pair of Blue Crimson Rosellas yesterday. I got them from someone who is moving abroad and can't take them with them. Today the male is chasing the female round the cage and trying to mate with her. She is getting stressed out and has a few feathers missing. I know I need to separate them for a while but I have only one cage. However I have an aviary in the garden with cockatiels in it. Would It be OK to put one of them in there for a while? Also would adding a nest box to the cage make the female more receptive?

Thanks

Steve

[meandem]

Sounds like you have your hands full! The female would be OK in with the quarrions, but like all things - keep an eye on them. I guess depending on where you are, it is not breeding season at the moment (in Australia) so I wouldn't be putting a nest in with her, and especially if you are thinking about putting her in with quarrions. Rosellas can be quite nasty when it comes to breeding season. On her own she should be fine, but together they might gang up on the other birds.............Good luck.

[steevwatson]

Hi. Thanks for the reply. I have spoken to the previous owner and they say that the Rosellas were in an aviary before and the female didn't like it at all. Would it be OK to put the male in the aviary and keep the female in her cage in the house? I'm in the UK so I think it's the breeding season just now not sure if that will make a difference.

Thanks

Steve

[meandem]

Are they a bonded pair for sure? Usually they like to stick together, rosellas pair up and then gang up on everything else, (more so when it is breeding season). There definitely would be no harm in putting the male in the aviary and keeping her inside. If it is getting close to breeding time over there I would not put them in the cage with the cockateils unless they have plenty of room to get away from one another. I have mine in flights during the breeding season becuase they become quite aggressive to EVERYONE. As far as them being separated, I guess like human nature though, they will - in time - long for each other's company.

This is Rah, he is my male Crimson and he is the boss of all my Rosellas except for when it comes to breeding season, then the female takes over. She is REALLY BOSSY.

[Ashling]

Congrats on the newbies- never heard of blue crimson rosellas? Do you have pics? Since they're new- DON'T put them in with the tiels before they are quarantined, or you could get your whole flock sick. You'd better get a place to put the male quick- are you able to buy a new, temporary cage- or borrow one from a friend?

[steevwatson]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not 100% sure they are a bonded pair. I know the people we got them from bought them as a a pair and they've been together for at least 2 years. They get on well except when the male is "in the mood" then he chases her around the cadge until I put my hand in and stop him. Not sure whether separating them is a good idea or not. will they miss each other? Especially if they've been together for so long.

Ashling I don't have any picks at the moment but I'll try and get some. Good point about the quarantine. I Don't have an other parrot cage but I do have a large tiel one I could put him in for a while.


Been spending some time with them over the last few days and they are getting quite tame. they are eating out of my hand now. The female is the most friendly she even eats from my hand when it is right inside the cage.

Thanks

Steve

[meandem]

Absence makes the heart grow fonder - don't they say? I think they will be fine, ultimately it is your decision, but if you are anything like me, I always seem to be so unsure, that is why it is good to have sites like this to refer to. I'm sure the teil cage would be fine for a brief period, as they often cram birds in petshops for long periods of time in smaller cages. It is lovely they are eating out of your hand, it is such a satisfying feeling. You will know when they are going to bite, they usually make a clicking sound and they bend their head and lift their shoulders up at you. Good luck with them, hope all goes well.