Sudden serious aggression!

[Mariana87]

One of my lovebirds really hurt the other just a few min ago. Billy was just perched on the side of the tent bed they share and Lily bit down very hard on one of his toes and wouldnt let go despite his screams. I dont know what to make of it, the attack was completely unprovoked. He was just quietly perched by her. Just yesterday i marvelled at how beautifully they get along, it was amazing to see her prene his feathers around his eyes with surgeon like precision and attentiveness...Im at a loss. She bit down so hard she broke his skin and made him bleed quite a bit, hes even got his injured foot tucked into his side.

I decided to separate them, at least for the rest of the night ill see how comfortably billy can walk on both feet before i gauge wether or not to re introduce them.

Cant believe this happened.

Am i right in keeping them in separate cages for the time being? I dont know what else to do.

Any and all help/insight is greatly appreciated.

[Angelsmum]

IMO oh yes, separating for now is a must to avoid any more injury.. Possibly she could be hormonal too. I do know that female lovies can get quite aggressive on occasions but I do not own any.

[Mariana87]

Good lord...They sometimes do get testy with eachother but never anywhere to this degree. Whats even stranger is that she is INCAPABLE of showing any sort of aggression with ME. ever. She is such a sweet sweet bird. Dont know what possessed her. She is now in a very simple cage with a rope pirch with some food and water. Nothing fancy. While he is fast asleep now in their tent.

Hope she learns her lesson.

Good lord.

[Angelsmum]

Maybe if you are too worried now this has happened it may be better to keep them separated with supervised playtime together? I can imagine how much of a shock it was for both you and him. I hope his foot heals well. Cayenne pepper will stop bleeding and act like a mild antiseptic and pure aloe juice, gel or the gel from the plant is a wonderful healing aid for humans, pets and birds. Good luck.

[bronsvingad]

Are they clipped? If they are, maybe you should let the wings grow back. It is easier for the birds to get away from each other if they want to be on their own for a while. Agapornis-girls are often tuff little buggers, hehe.
Good luck to you and the birds. Ihope they will get along very soon :)

[Mariana87]

They are not clipped, Bronsvingad. It was so sudden that my injured lovie just didnt have a chance to get away from her.

Just to update: Billy is doing fine and is walking and climbing around normally. They had a very closely supervised play session that went very well. They are preening and kissing eachother as if nothing happened. The rest of the day has gone by w/o incident.
I am, on the other hand, going to get billy a smaller little snuggly bed for him to have to himself in case Lily is ever in a non sharing mood.

Thank you all for your help and support!

[Lori~D]

Originally Posted by Mariana87

Good lord...They sometimes do get testy with eachother but never anywhere to this degree. Whats even stranger is that she is INCAPABLE of showing any sort of aggression with ME. ever. She is such a sweet sweet bird. Dont know what possessed her. She is now in a very simple cage with a rope pirch with some food and water. Nothing fancy. While he is fast asleep now in their tent.

Hope she learns her lesson.

Good lord.

She wont...Birds dont work that way, esp female lovies,lol. AND if you think she cant show aggression toward you just give her a nest box, LMAO!! Yee do not know the power of a hormonal lOvie bird!! Thats why when ever anyone asks about them for pets I say "get a male" and NEVER ever keep both sexes together. They WILL change and its just their nature. Punishment of any kind for it is non functional. My best breeder female was the sweetest handfed little girl.....until....... sorry