Mr. Destructo

[Alibluemoon]

Do all Ekkies go through a destructo phase? Or is it standard behavior?

About a month ago, Linus started destroying and biting everything he could get his little beak on. The faster it breaks, the more fun he seems to have.

He's also started to hang upside down in his cage like a bat. Sometimes with his wings stretched out...sometimes wings closed.

This also coincided with him learning how to kick out his food and water dish from their holders (they weren't the locked kind). But those have been replaced by locked dishes--and he hates them.

Does anyone have any advice? Or any toy ideas--he's broken quite a few...

He'll be two in April. Although I don't know if that has anything to do with it...or if it has to do with the change in daylight?

[Amie]

Haha, the fact that he'll be 2 in April probably has a LOT to do with it :) That's puberty for an ekkie.

Just in case it isn't his hormones, has he been getting enough time out of his cage? That can cause them to go a bit crazy. . .But, the destruction is healthy. Buy some shredder toys like the ones they have at Bird toys and accessories. Everything to please your parrot! or some foraging foods like they have at BirDeicious Burly-Bird Toys.

And then, be patient. He's going to be like this for the better part of the year. When he's being nippy and angry, leave him alone. And when he wants to cuddle, cuddle with him. After he's done with puberty, you'll find that he'll turn back to normal as long as you give him what he wants when he wants it.

[Nazir's]

My green guy hasn't yet reached the destructive stage yet.