Love Bird - Is She Happy or Is She Mad?

[bissobudgie7]

I currently have 2 Love Birds in the same cage. One is Peach-Faced, and the other is a Black-Masked, with the yellow neck (little bit of orange, too) and green body. While the peach-face is sooo bonded to humans, the black-mask I've been working with, diligently, at taming him. When I pick him up, he begins making these very short, grunt-like noises. Does this mean that he's not liking the idea of my holding him, or is it something else? Anybody have any thoughts/suggestions on taming this little girl? (at least I think it's a girl because the Peach-face, "Picasso," re-girgitates food and feeds the Black-mask, "Spooky")

[LMPego]

I'm not sure what that grunting is - I've never heard my lovebird make a sound like that. Maybe he/she doesn't like being held.

I strongly suggest, however, that you do not house these 2 in the same cage. I would put them next to each other, but not where they can reach. Lovebirds have a nasty habit of becoming territorial and possibly killing their cage mate. Also, if you don't know the sex of these 2, you do not want them to breed especially since they are different species and you don't want hybrids.

[bissobudgie7]

Originally Posted by LMPego

I'm not sure what that grunting is - I've never heard my lovebird make a sound like that. Maybe he/she doesn't like being held.

I strongly suggest, however, that you do not house these 2 in the same cage. I would put them next to each other, but not where they can reach. Lovebirds have a nasty habit of becoming territorial and possibly killing their cage mate. Also, if you don't know the sex of these 2, you do not want them to breed especially since they are different species and you don't want hybrids.

Thanks for the suggestion. They get along just fine. . They have their moments, but they will be fine. Nope, don't plan on breeding them. You're correct, I don't want hybrids.

[Monica]

Well, if it DOES so happen that you have a male/female pair, then there will always be the possibility that they will breed. If this happens then you would have to seperate them into different cages and destroy any eggs laid...

As far as the noise, I have only heard peachfaces make this noise and its usually a noise of not really liking what's going on (though once you tame the bird down and get her used to things, she'd make these noises less and less.... budgies have a similar noise as well).

[bissobudgie7]

Originally Posted by Monica

Well, if it DOES so happen that you have a male/female pair, then there will always be the possibility that they will breed. If this happens then you would have to seperate them into different cages and destroy any eggs laid...

As far as the noise, I have only heard peachfaces make this noise and its usually a noise of not really liking what's going on (though once you tame the bird down and get her used to things, she'd make these noises less and less.... budgies have a similar noise as well).

I kind of thought that the noises might be those of disliking the current situation. I think this is the case, as well. I just wanted to see what others said about it. The "only" time she does this is when I'm holding her.

I have no intentions, whatsoever, to "ever" breed these two, together. Now that raises a question in my mind. If breeding two distinct species of Love Birds is such a bad idea, then why do I often see hybrids in "some" pet stores? (not all, but some)

[Monica]

I'm not really sure why people hybridize birds, atleast in America. Maybe it's to create a new bird, or to create a bird that has the 'best' characteristics of both of its parents, however many of these birds are so rare in the wild, it's not a good idea if we hybridize them in captivity.

In New Zealand, there is a breeder there hybridizing lorikeets, and it's a quick and easy way for her to make money because these birds look 'new' and 'different', yet she also says she's against creating hybrids. New Zealand is having a very rough time with birds and so many are becoming inbred because there is not enough fresh blood to breed to (since they restricted the possibility of bringing in new birds to keep the blood genes clean from hybrids and from being inbred).

[Skyebirdsmom]

YEah I agree with others, 2 in the same cage is just asking for trouble. Sooner or later one of them is gonna get it, and 'it' can get nasty!
I'd move them to 2 cages for their safety.
I think it is unconscionable and unethical to hybridize birds or any creature. No reason is a good reason. Period!
Linda & SKye~