Problem - Squabbling Birds

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Okanairda

Hey jenseits,

The lady who writes the Good Bird magazine has an article called "One bird chases another" for free download under the Digital Media section of her website. In the article they talk about how they picked apart the antecedents of the problem behavior and then redirected the birds towards a replacement behavior. I thought it pretty interesting b/c I see some parallels between my Grey and sun conure squabbling with each other. Maybe you'll find something in there to help you?

That was excellent, thanks! This systematic approach is great - I'll start doing this with Stewie.

The resource Okanairda mentioned is located here: Good Bird Magazine - Back Issues

[Astrid660]

My birds squabble sometimes, but nothing serious. I keep a close watch on them most of the time, and usually rotate them in and out of their cages depending on their moods. I try and gauge who is getting overstimulated and needs to be separated for a bit
I have 5 birds, but only the four smaller ones are 'friends' right now, since the Rosella has just been added to the flock, per say.

[Sashagirl]

Jenseits

I know from personal experience that White Capped Pionus are not aggressive
parrots.I had a similar situation with a Senegal and a White Capped Pionus.The Senegal escaped from her cage one day and it wasn't a happy ending.

Marcia

Originally Posted by jenseits

Mika is a White Capped Pionus.

I just got lectured by my bf about taking things too fast [sheepish]. I know if I were the one giving advice I would say that I need to exercise much more patience and not rush things. I know, I know, I got carried away by dreams of a happy flock.

I'll keep giving them separate out of cage time for a while. But, honestly, if this is a permanent thing, I don't know how tenable that is for me. There just isn't enough time to give them each all of the attention they deserve if I have to constantly be fighting with one or the other of them to get back in their cage.

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Sashagirl

Jenseits

I know from personal experience that White Capped Pionus are not aggressive
parrots.I had a similar situation with a Senegal and a White Capped Pionus.The Senegal escaped from her cage one day and it wasn't a happy ending.

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that!

[Sashagirl]

Thank you.That's why I don't trust my Senegal around any of my other parrots she doesn't just squabble.She can't be trusted.But she did come from a crazy cage where all the unmanagable parrots were thrown in together.All she knew was to fight to survive.Which is really sad.She's strictly a people person bird.

Marcia

Originally Posted by jenseits

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that!

[jenseits]

Ughh! Stewie flew onto her cage while it was his turn out and grabbed onto her toe. He did break the skin and there was some blood and she's favoring it a little bit. It's not so bad that I think it warrants a trip to the emergency 24 hour vet but I will take her to my avian vet in the a.m. to get looked at and for antibiotics.

I'm really stressed out. I can't believe I let this happen. It's hard for me not to be mad at Stewie, but it's not his fault - for whatever reason it was his instinct to attack her - I only wish I could have prevented it.

She's such a sweetheart - she's probably wondering what she deserved to be put into this awful place...

I think I overestimated my abilities to handle bringing in a second bird

[Sashagirl]

If possible can you place them in separate rooms or cover Mika's cage or something while Stewie is out flying free?Since Stewie is so determined to get Mika.I'm so sorry to hear about Mika.

Marcia

[KimM]

I can't speak for your particular breed of birds, however I just successully bonded two male macaws in my house. And not just any macaws - a Scarlet and a very hyper Harlequin. I did take it rather slow though. I made sure each one got "mommy" time.

When I brought the new one home (Elliot), I let him settle in his cage for a day or so (in quarantine of course). then I took him for a "tour" of the house. As we passed Newt's cage, I let them see each other from a distance. They eye balled each other, but did give a nice loud "ack" to each other, nothing threatening,, just kind of a "Hey, You're a bird too". I rewarded this behavior with "Goood Boooys!" and kisses and pets.

When I talked and played with Elliot in the other room, if I rewarded Elliot for good behavior (climbing on my arm, talking parrot talk to me, making progress adjusting to his new home).... basically "anything" positive,,If Newt joined in,, HE was then rewarded with "good boys" from me.

I tried to stay very calm but in control and made a "really big deal" out of good behavior from either of them.

It seemed to work. When I finally put them together in the same room on separate play gyms, Newt saw him and started the regurgitation "thing". The next night Elliot did the regurg thing back. This means they've accepted each other as part of the flock.

My suggestion is just "start over". Be patient. You'll have these two for a long time. Give them the time to adjust. Some birds are more sensitive than others regarding change. Just my humble opinion

[jenseits]

Even with his partial clip (four primaries trimmed, but the outer two left in tact), Stewie still flies across the room to harass Mika and to try to knock her off her perch if given an opportunity. Sigh. Amazing how well he still flies - he can make a full loop around the living room, not as fast or graceful as before but surprisingly strong. I think I'm going to have to clip another one of the outside flights at least, if I want them to get used to being outside at the same time.

[ndeben]

I have 3 parrotlets, and Buddy the newest trys so hard to be friends with the other two, they live in a flight cage together. When its Buddy turn to be out he always goes over and always gets fussed at. Hopefully one day this will end.