Problem - Squabbling Birds

[jenseits]

I feel like a brand new bird owner all over again. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but for some reason I didn't think it would be twice as hard bringing a second bird into the flock.

Stewie and Mika do not seem to get along. If one of them manages to get onto the others cage (which Stewie does a lot, since he's fully flighted), the other tries to bite the offender's toes. Not surprising, since I imagine cages are very personal space.

I made the foolish mistake of trying to rush things a little and had them both out at the same time - trying to gauge how they reacted if they could both observe each other uncaged (I did that for a few minutes over the weekend, and it seemed to go fine). They eyed each other for a little while and seemed interested. Then, quick as lightening, Stewie jumped on top of Mika and a fight ensued.

There was squealing, flapping, beaks everywhere.... so, because Stewie was the instigator, he went back into his cage. If she had any doubts before, I think she's pretty certain now that she doesn't like him.

They are both fine, but have I ruined the chances of them ever coexisting peacefully by rushing it?

Anyone have birds who didn't get along initially but ended up being buddies?

I have to admit I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I'm not sure how I'll handle having two birds who try to attack each other.

p.s. I'm thinking I should get Stewie partially clipped again, so that he can't go on the offensive as easily. He could fly with some effort with one or two flights on each side, but now that he's got all his flight feathers he's a little too good, and it makes him cocky. Not smart considering how much bigger Mika is than he. So maybe at his next well-birdie vet visit, I'll have them clip a few flights -- at least until they learn to get along better. Would that help?

[jenseits]

Anyone got any reassurance for me?

[Sashagirl]

I'm dealing with the same thing with multiple birds and it has gotten
worse with each new addition.The one that was bullying(Rosie one of the Eclectus)is now being bullied.And one of the newest members(Barney one of the Eclectus)is now bullying a number of the birds.So I find myself being the referee a lot.The Bullies find themselves in their cages more and it keeps the peace.I can't be the one keep continuing to break up the fights.I think in your house the solution is easy give them separate play time.In my house that would take forever.I know Stewie is a Sun Conure but what is Mika?

Marcia

[Icednova625]

I find it hard as well. Our larger birds all seem to be agressive to each other and the rest of the flock. We have seperate playstands and 2 different rooms. It helps some, but it don't totally fix it. I have to referee at all times when the larger birds are out of their cages.

[Sashagirl]

I wish mine was a size situation.Our birds are kept in 4 parts of our house according to size.The ones that are kept upstairs are about same size.
There are some of the Greys,all the Eclectus except for one and the Yellow Nape Amazon.Sometimes it's a big headache and it hasn't always been this way.Barney and Rosie-Lyn(Eclectus)have been with us for a little over 3 months and Barney is trouble.

Marcia

[jenseits]

Originally Posted by Sashagirl

In my house that would take forever.I know Stewie is a Sun Conure but what is Mika?
Marcia

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.

[Ashling]

Get a huge bowl of the best treats ever and put it on the floor and let them be distracted by that. Everytime they are together have heaps of treats- like, over the top. They'll realise that whenever they're out together, treats come! ...it's a start? :)

[Tom Lawless]

Ashling, that just might be genius.

It would work with me.

[rockybird]

I had my gcc for 2 yrs. when I got my baby male caique. All the caique wanted was to be buddies with the conure. He would so gently and gingerly reach out and try to preen the conure who wanted nothing to do with him. I felt so bad for the caique. Over about 3 yrs., they now tolerate each other now and will snuggle against one another and preen each other. I take them around the house with me, and if I put them down on a table or counter, I will usually turn around to find them grooming each other. I think this is a good thing as it is a natural bird behavior. When I first saw them preening each other, I lavished them with praise and it seemed to work! I also feel so much better when I go to work, as I do think they get some comfort from being near each other (cages are against each other). I used to bring them to a friend's when I went out of town and she said that they were inseparable when I was gone. Lastly, the caique is so funny as he will copy the conure and do what he does. If the conure willingly goes in his cage, I know the caique will. He follows him everywhere and calls to him when they are separated. Still, I know that the conure would like nothing more than for the caique to leave for good and for it to be just the two of us again. There is hope, but it may take years.

[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?