Getting a bird to share?

[SweetPea]

I have two lovebirds, and one has claimed herself as the alpha bird. She does NOT like to share, and is rather quite mean towards the other bird! She has learned once she is done with food, to unhook the dishes and throw them on the floor to prevent the other from eating it. Even when I'm holding a treat in EACH hand for them, if the other bird attempts to get her share, she chases her away!

This is even true with toys and a favorite perching spot!

Even with me. The other bird sometimes come to me for protection, but that's the only time the *itch will come to me on her own free will, is to chase the other bird away!

If I remove the passive bird from her cage, and keep the alpha bird in her cage, the alpha bird will throw the BIGGEST tantrum.

How can I get her to learn to SHARE?

Thanks!

[Monica]

Sounds like one of the birds might be a male (they are not very aggressive to begin with on a general basis compared to females). You can try putting in two food and water dishes (so alteast 4 dishes total in the cage), and try using the dishes that lock into place (cannot be removed or jossled by a bird).

You can seperate them into seperate cages next to eachother, but atleast an inch apart so that one cannot reach through the bars and hurt the other.

One thing you could try to do is completely seperate them from eachother at seperate ends of the hosue... of course then they might screech for eachother.


You might want to first of all try getting the alpha birds wings trimmed, so therefore she can't take the alpha position as easily. This will take her down a few notches as she wont be able to hold her position and boss the other bird around as easily...

[Skyebirdsmom]

Originally Posted by SweetPea

I have two lovebirds, and one has claimed herself as the alpha bird. She does NOT like to share, and is rather quite mean towards the other bird! She has learned once she is done with food, to unhook the dishes and throw them on the floor to prevent the other from eating it. Even when I'm holding a treat in EACH hand for them, if the other bird attempts to get her share, she chases her away!

This is even true with toys and a favorite perching spot!

Even with me. The other bird sometimes come to me for protection, but that's the only time the *itch will come to me on her own free will, is to chase the other bird away!

If I remove the passive bird from her cage, and keep the alpha bird in her cage, the alpha bird will throw the BIGGEST tantrum.

How can I get her to learn to SHARE

Thanks!

You can't. 'Share' does not exist in bird language. The alpha IS the alpha and that's it. The way of nature. Besides, Lovies are known for that kind of at-
titude...to each other and sometimes to people.
My P'let is so 'Alpha' that he comes down to the table and will chase my cat away by biting him wherever he can reach....nose, ears, tail, etc.
Those 2 birds should definitely be housed in 2 separate houses. For safety's sake. Get used to it, it's the manner of birds. Some are more aggressive and some aren't.
Linda & Skye~

[SweetPea]

lol.

Thanks for all the advice!

I was afraid of this! I was just HOPING I can change her attitude! At night time, the two will settle down next to each other, cuddling and preening each other. It was just this morning I was really exhausted from having no sleep lately, so when I awaken, I was hanging half way off my bed with my head about 2 inches from the cage. I opened my eyes to see the passive bird taking her nap at the same corner right next to me. The weird part is, their cage is pretty darn big and she just happened to choose the lower perch and that corner perch to be taking her nap!

I assume she did that knowing the alpha bird would less likely try to pick a fight with me so close!

They DO have four dishes inside of their cage... And the *itch will gaurd ALL four dishes! Even the dish with just pellets that she doesn't even eat just because she can!

During quarantine, they were in different cages and in different room. Afterwards they decided to be cage mate! Then for a bit, I separated them a bit, but both got really antsy by CONSTANTLY pacing to be let out and be together. I guess for their own safety they will have to be permanently separated for good now!

Oh darn for them!

Thanks!