Trouble in Paradise
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2015 11:41 pm
I got a shock tonight. I went to give the birds a few treats before lights out. I've been treating Rocky on my left and offering Sinbad treats on my right - about two feet apart, maybe a little more.... 61-68 centimeters for you metric speakers, through the bars.
Sinbad's been taking them from my hand, how exciting, large bits of nuts, and retreating. So he can gather his courage to sneak up and quickly grab the treat, but not to stick around. He's not confident; he's not trained. He's making a raid.
In this instance, Sinbad was slow to take his treat. He approached the hand and stopped a few inches away. While Sinbad was thinking it over, Rocky finished his treat and approached Sinbad's treat area. Both birds did wing display for each other, only looking at each other, and then Sinbad reached out to peck Rocky's chest! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Rocky was not pleased and he retreated. Needless to say, I took the treat away and nobody got it.
I don't remember what happened right after that, but I did offer treats again, in the separate places. Both birds got another treat or two, and I put the treats away while they were both in their happy places, munching treats. Then I turned off the light and left the room. It's important to note the living room is separated from the dining room by a double wide doorway, and then it's a straight line into the kitchen - so there isn't much privacy, or much hidden with this arrangement, though not everything is in direct sight because of corners and whatnot.
While I was in the kitchen I heard a definite unhappy squawk, and I immediately went back to the birds and placed the cage divider between them for the night. I placed Sinbad on the less-favoured side of the cage, and he did complain quite briefly, then all quiet.
SOOOOOOOOOooo, what happened here? I almost think I was witnessing a relative of barrier frustration. I don't think it was resource guarding because I have seen Rocky take Sinbad's treat without any fuss from Sinbad. And I saw Rocky take half of a treat right from Sinbad - Sinbad must have not wanted to let it go because it broke in half and they each had some. Or maybe Sinbad has had enough of losing his treat after all.
I think I probably overreacted when I placed the cage divider, but I thought if it turned out to be serious and Rocky got hurt, I would have a hard time living with that. It is true that since the moulting began they are no longer sleeping on the same perch, and as mentioned I did notice that while Sinbad was moulting Rocky chased him (in slow motion) and when Rocky was moulting Sinbad chased him (also in slow motion).
Those who keep more than one bird together, give me your thoughts. I almost never see conflict of any kind between the guys.
Sinbad's been taking them from my hand, how exciting, large bits of nuts, and retreating. So he can gather his courage to sneak up and quickly grab the treat, but not to stick around. He's not confident; he's not trained. He's making a raid.
In this instance, Sinbad was slow to take his treat. He approached the hand and stopped a few inches away. While Sinbad was thinking it over, Rocky finished his treat and approached Sinbad's treat area. Both birds did wing display for each other, only looking at each other, and then Sinbad reached out to peck Rocky's chest! (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Rocky was not pleased and he retreated. Needless to say, I took the treat away and nobody got it.
I don't remember what happened right after that, but I did offer treats again, in the separate places. Both birds got another treat or two, and I put the treats away while they were both in their happy places, munching treats. Then I turned off the light and left the room. It's important to note the living room is separated from the dining room by a double wide doorway, and then it's a straight line into the kitchen - so there isn't much privacy, or much hidden with this arrangement, though not everything is in direct sight because of corners and whatnot.
While I was in the kitchen I heard a definite unhappy squawk, and I immediately went back to the birds and placed the cage divider between them for the night. I placed Sinbad on the less-favoured side of the cage, and he did complain quite briefly, then all quiet.
SOOOOOOOOOooo, what happened here? I almost think I was witnessing a relative of barrier frustration. I don't think it was resource guarding because I have seen Rocky take Sinbad's treat without any fuss from Sinbad. And I saw Rocky take half of a treat right from Sinbad - Sinbad must have not wanted to let it go because it broke in half and they each had some. Or maybe Sinbad has had enough of losing his treat after all.
I think I probably overreacted when I placed the cage divider, but I thought if it turned out to be serious and Rocky got hurt, I would have a hard time living with that. It is true that since the moulting began they are no longer sleeping on the same perch, and as mentioned I did notice that while Sinbad was moulting Rocky chased him (in slow motion) and when Rocky was moulting Sinbad chased him (also in slow motion).
Those who keep more than one bird together, give me your thoughts. I almost never see conflict of any kind between the guys.