Possessive question

[Ashling]

My friend (and member of BB) Laura has a beautiful Alexandrine parrot called Icarus. He is a sweetheart and doesn't bite people, has a huge vocabulary and is obsessed with his parront. Laura is interested in adding another parrot to her little family sometime in the future but is afraid of how Icky will take it. At the bird store the pair frequent, Icky was lunging at any parrot Laura got close to and she is scared he will be aggressive with a new bird. She will not risk his happiness and will give up her dream of having another bird for Icky, but she wants too know if it's possible to get another parrot and for him to be happy. I said that with positive training it should be possible (Icky is verrry smart) but she wants your advice too. Laura is especially interested in male eclectuses but also been looking at regent parrots as well. Oh and she always has her eye on dusky lorikeets. What species get along with Alexes and what are your experiences with possessive birds?

[LovelySydney]

I dont know what types of birds go together well with Alexes so I can only go by Neko's behavior with me since he is the only bird I've ever had who is possessive but from what I've observed NO bird around me is OK. He tried to bite Oliver more than once and would not let him get anywhere near me. I didnt really push the issue that they be OK with one another, its easy to keep both occupied (especially now that O has Emi) but I think that regardless Neko would see me as his mate and not like Oliver even if he spent every day with him for the rest of his life. Im sure he would tolerate him to a point but I wouldnt feel safe with them together, Id feel Id have to watch them both the entire time which, frankly, I just couldnt do.

I think if the bird is already showing possesive behavior, even in the bird store, than it would be a long road to teach it that it has to share mommy's time. I think it can be done, it'd just be tough. Bonded birds can be very territorial birds. If your friend has the time and energy to train them and observe them until they are eventually OK with one another, which could never happen, than I think its worth a shot. I personally, wouldn't risk it.

[xafsmom]

My BHC Alton has issues with other birds. He thinks he owns me, therefore, any intruder is unwelcomed (unless it's a Caique). However, I make him feel loved, give him kisses and attention and put him in his cage while I take out the intruder he's currently fixated upon. After a while, Alton gives up the grumpies and life returns to normal without his aggressive butt all fluffed.

So, it can happen.

[Ashling]

Laura doesn't have access to a computer right now so I really appreciate the collection of advice for her, so thanks guys and keep it coming!

Time for my input! Ashling can be possessive of me and sometimes if Peanut is on me she'll have a go at him. If I have only him out, she will scream at us. Also if he starts hissing at me she'll step in to "protect" me. Usually though, they get along fine and Ash has adjusted to sharing me. I think she is even happier because when I am not there she has someone to talk to and communicate with and he is also a reassurance to her. I think it's about setting up boundaries and letting them know what is and what is not acceptable. If Ash shows any aggression, she is put back in her cage alone for time out and Peanut is put on his cage and I go off and do my own thing. When she is good, everything is dandy. It is incredibly rewarding when they stand near each other and Peanut starts singing and talking to her, telling her she's pretty. Making the time when everyone is together the most entertaining part of their day would make them look forward to being with each other. Like, heaps of treats, toys and surprises. Get really excited when you're all together and make it all positive. Making them eat together would strengthen the "flock" mentality and putting them to bed at the same time etc would have the same effect. One on one time would also be important, a good hour for each bird every day with some "mummy time." I often alternate who I take in the shower with me every day, sometimes Ash, sometimes Peanut, sometimes both. Same with cuddles on the bed and trick training sessions. I think it's good to do things together as well as separate to give them the idea that they are special alone as well as with the other bird and good things happen in both situations. Anyway that's what I think.

[MissV]

Luca is not only a sun, she apparently thinks she IS THE sun. As in, she owns everything and it all revolves around her. Since I handfed her from 6 weeks, she had like...zero socialization with other parrots, so not only was she posessive of me around other people...other feathered creatures were just an insult.

She threw a fit when I brought home a green cheek, but she was still young and so was i and it just didn't work out.

When I finally brought home Karis, she threw another fit, but I researched lots and made sure to do everything for her first to reassure her that she wasn't losing her place. She spent awhile trying to chase down Karis, but I kept my foot down and wouldn't let her. Now, she's still a grumpy old lady and doesn't really want to play with her so much, but she tolerates her....and I've noticed no change in her happiness.

I do make sure to still do all the great bonding things we could when she was the only one--showing, taking naps, hanging on me when I'm (literally) running around the house doing things. I haven't noticed a change in our bond and if anything, she's become better behaved for having someone else to entertain/bother/driverhernuts when I'm not there.

[Jag]

Originally Posted by MissV

Luca is not only a sun, she apparently thinks she IS THE sun. As in, she owns everything and it all revolves around her.

...other feathered creatures were just an insult.

Rayne in a Sun body!!

Mel, you're a seriously good friend for posting this to help!

Rayne was crowned 'princess' from day one. I honestly didn't know I'd have to ever deal with splitting my time or attention from her. She's possessive, snotty, and flighted. Not to mention she thinks she's a big ole mac! I handled her most of the time when I first got Rico. My wife held Rico. I spent a very small amount of time handling him at first. I was SO afraid that Rayne would try to rip him apart...and get hurt in the process...

I waited a long time (we thought) before allowing them to interact. I thought they'd hate each other forever. However... they have come to an agreement. Rayne wants to be preened. When she wants to be preened... Rico had BETTER preen her. She will preen him, too..if she feels like it. Rayne is allowed in Rico's room to eat, drink, check out his toys. Rico is NOT allowed in Rayne's room. Rico isn't to touch Rayne's toys (even outside of her room). I have to fufill Rayne's want for cuddles/scritchs, etc. before handling Rico. If that's done.. then she doesn't have an issue with him. Unless (of course) she changes her mind. Then she simply flies back to me and chases Rico off. He's good about it, too... he leaves FAST!

I was actually proud of him when she took his ball right out of his mouth, and after making moves like he was going to take it back several times then backing off... she ran up, grabbed it, and flew off with it! However, my 'big bird will hurt the little bird' went right out the window in the case of these two. Rico simply doesn't have it in him to challange her. They do talk to each other. They will 'meet' in an area where their cages come together, and Rayne will actually 'call' for Rico by name! He's also responded with "What, Rayne?!" When she comes out of her room, and Rico hasn't been let out yet (because he's not being quiet yet) she will ask for him...by name. She won't cuddle, fly, or play until he's out, too.

Ziva is also a 'clinger', though. I don't know what will happen when she comes upstairs. I can tell you that because she isn't handled as much it shouldn't cause a problem..but they will NEVER be out together... because of Rayne's belief that she's a macaw, and Ziva's attitude which tells me she won't put up with her stunts. Rayne has never acted depressed or put off by the others, though. For one... she sleeps in the bedroom with us so she probably feels 'special'. Two... she IS special. Thankfully my wife has always been as involved with the handling of the birds as I am.. she's getting used to Ziva...so I don't have to try to manage the issue alone.

I agree that they seem to be happy with other birdie to talk to and interact with. I've spent a lot of time trying to correct aggressive behaviors with Rico and Rayne...but quite honestly they kind of worked it out between them. When Rico realizes he's been caught messing with Rayne's stuff and she heads towards it he does what any good little boy does... he flies away! LOL!!

[debbielabella]

My Alex Sophie is devoted to me only. She is OK with other birds as long as they don't try to go into her cage or interfere with our one on one time. Our personal un-interupted one on one time is important to her, as long as she gets that she is OK with me handling other birds. She isn't buddies with any of my other birds but is flighted and has good social skills as long as they don't go near her cage or near me when she's on me.

Tiki, my amazon is very jealous/possessive. Even though he picked my son he is very jealous of me with other birds. The important thing to him is for him to always be first, he eats some of my cereal in the morning before anyone else, he is greeted first and let out of his cage first, if I forget to put him first he is a terror and goes after my other birds and me for hours, shrieking and terrorizing everyone, so I try not to forget him

Sophie's sister is still in the birdstore, she is also very good with other birds. She was very attached to a male eckie, they were good buddies, she'd take food from him mouth and taught him to talk, was always with him, it was sad when they sold him I felt sorry for her.