Ticked off Galah

[SallyQZ]

Tiki Bird and Gator have been living together since they were 8 wks old. They share the same hatch day, although they have different sets of parents. We got them at 8 wks old and put them in an aviary that is 8 ft long, 4 ft deep, and 6 ft tall. For the first year, they lived rather harmoniously with Tiki Bird only knocking Gator off of a perch occasionally. He gets a bit possessive of "his" food and toys.

In the last four months, it's been getting worse. He's getting very aggressive with her and she seems more subdued and withdrawn. He hasn't drawn blood, but he's caused broken blood feathers when he knocks her off of perches and playstands. When we went on vacation last week, we brought the galahs with us. Each bird had a small travel cage and spent a good portion of each day sitting on top of the cage, or with us. Gator suddenly regained her appetite and ate with enthusiasm. She played with her toy, and seemed very content. Tiki seemed jealous of her cage and spent most of his time checking out what Gator was doing.

When we returned home, and put them back in their birdy McMansion, Tiki Bird suddenly got really aggressive with Gator. Now he wouldn't let her come to me, he'd attack her and drive her back - even pursing her around and around the aviary while she screeched. He'd bite her feet and pull her backwards by her tail. I was shocked because he's never been that aggressive with her before. Poor Gator would only come out if she was closest to the aviary door and could get to me before Tiki noticed. He wasn't letting her eat as much either. She dropped 15g in one week.

We were planning on separating them when they turned 2 yrs old as we didn't want any baby galahs, but decided to do it now to restore poor Gator's quality of life. Put a divider in the center of the aviary, and installed another door on Gator's side. So they are still in the same aviary, just now they each have their own 4 ft x 4 ft x 6 ft section. Tiki has gone nutso now that he's not able to get to Gator. For the first day, he clung to the divider and screamed at Gator while she cowered in the corner of her half. Today he has been yelling a bit less, and Gator has started making happy little peeps while she eats & plays with her toys, but I can tell he's ticked off. I took Tonka, my CAG, out of his cage this morning and Tiki screamed the whole time that Tonka was gone, even though they hate each other.

I know that this will ease up in time, and I'm ignoring the screaming. But I was wondering if anyone has any tips on making this transition easier for Tiki? Gator is already much happier, but Tiki looks absolutely furious. They have a large outdoor macaw-sized cage and I was planning on still putting them out together (supervised, of course). Is this a good idea? Or should I give them separate cages outside too?

Here's a pic of their vacation homes...

[Abby]

Would it help if i said I'm going through a similar thing with my lorikeet pair except they are meant to be breeding.

Sounds like hormones have kicked in with Tiki before Gators have. He wanting to have his wicked way, she's having none of it. I think you are going to have to separate them if you're not wanting to breed at least during breeding time anyway. BTW are you in Australia? I can't remember off hand. The season has started here.

The situation with Olly and Pip is that Pip will get Olly to the ground, she'll lie on her back then he sits there next to her saying, "ok Olly, Olly ok?" Stupid bird, you just beat the crap out of her, what do you think. I'm just having to let it go and hope that they'll sort things out eventually. Olly is coping and the lieing on her back seems to be a good defence mechanism. Just wish she'd give in and get it over and done with. <big sigh>

[SallyQZ]

Yeah, I suspect hormones are playing a big part in this. Although I think Tiki is confused about WHO he wants ... he loves me big-time, I think he's trying to keep Gator away from me. When we chose the birds, I chose Gator and my hubby chose Tiki Bird. But over the months, Tiki has shown that he prefers me.

I live in Southern California. Tiki is only 16 months old, so he's prob. still a bit young for breeding, but I'm sure that the hormones are waking him up in preparation. We never intended on breeding them, that's why we bought two doors for the aviary, and the center divider. If it happened, it wouldn't be the end of the world, except that I'd want to keep all the babies and we'd have to buy a separate house for all the birds!

I used to live in Melbourne, Australia many years ago (1990 to 1992). Maybe I've brought back from aussie hormone stimulator with me.....

ps: I absolutely LOVED Australia. I was heartbroken when we moved back to Canada and pined until we moved to the US. I'm done with snow!

[Abby]

After I posted I realised you were in the US now. Tiki could also be stretching his wings a bit too. The whole I'm a big bird now thing. He is young but then I've noticed with my 3 human boys that at around the age of 4 they all went through a testosterone surge. Everything becomes a weapon, if they weren't already on the go enough it increased further. Settled down after a year, now going through teen boy hormones with the oldest. I'm thinking if our kids do this then maybe it can be the same with young male birds. No scientific evidence to back myself. Just pondering. The other thing I guess is to try and pull in boundaries with Tiki. Praise and reward when he decides to play nice. Exclusion from Gator when he doesn't. Need to keep her safe so she doesn't end up with fear issues from him.

[SallyQZ]

Yes, Tiki has always been a bit over the top. Very boy-cockatoo'ish. He has tantrums, rolls around on the floor with his toys while screaming at them, and is trying to learn to speak at least twenty words. He never allows Gator to play with toys while he is playing. I try to make sure that he gets a lot of time outside of the aviary. We have bird stands in every room, plus he gets at least two hours outside in the back yard every day.

He's actually quite gentle with us. He will nip but it's seldom harder than a pinch. He's only drawn blood on me once. He's also finished a moult, and is bristling with pin feathers so I'm sure he's a bit touchy. He loves me to groom his new feathers and I'm using this as practice for when I attempt to get him to accept his Aviator harness. Gator is rather hands off. She loves to sit on my hand or arm, and will do it all day. But if you try to give her a head scratch or touch her anywhere, she bites.

I totally agree with your theory on boys!! I only have one son, and he's like his Daddy - easy going, relaxed, no worries mate! He's 14 now, so I keep waiting for the hormone thing to change him into Godzilla, LOL! I can't imagine having three boys and trying to keep the peace in the house. No wonder you don't mind the noise/mess/aggression of cockatoo's .... you're used to dealing with boys!

[maggy]

Sounds like you've got it sorted at least in your mind...but had to say how gorgeous your birds look in the picture!

[SallyQZ]

Thanks Maggy! I think galahs are such gorgeous birds and I love to take pics of them.

Tiki Bird is subdued and pouting today. I gave him 30 mins of feather preening and head scritches, so he doesn't feel totally unloved. Gator is bustling around, filled with energy & enthusiasm for her food & toys. I went to say Hi to her and she broke off a piece of wood from a toy and carried it over to me. So cute!