Trouble in Paradise

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MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Trouble in Paradise

Post by MissK »

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.
-MissK
Wessel Gordon
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Re: Trouble in Paradise

Post by Wessel Gordon »

MissK

Fortunately I rarely see violence between my flock either so not sure what kind of advice to give.

The only violence I ever had to deal with was between two males fighting over a female in breeding season. I ended up having to separate them out of sight of each other to save the underdog's life. In retrospect I should have been more aware of that kind of issue and prevented it before it ever went to a physical fight.

Wessel
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: Trouble in Paradise

Post by MissK »

It's a bit hard to know what to think. I would have advised someone else to separate the birds for safety when unsupervised, so that's what I've done. Not sure it's needed, really. Waiting for Donovan or Sunny Dai to chime in, since they have multiple males..... Sigh. Must pretend these are someone elses's birds in order to think more simply.
-MissK
InTheAir
Posts: 2040
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:24 pm

Re: Trouble in Paradise

Post by InTheAir »

I think you need to chill out a bit, parrots do squabble. It's not the end of the world! Honestly, every creature I can think of squabble occasionally. The important things are that they respond to each others body language and that they have space to get away from each other. If one bird is really aggressive and constantly picking on another, they should be caged seperately.
If feeding them nuts in that manner encourages them to squabble, don't do it that way. Maybe Rocky should be out of the cage while you work with Sinbad or something.

If I read your post correctly, your birds were just acting like normal birds. Even pairs will squabble sometimes... I watch wild parrots squabble all the time, they don't live in some socialist utopia where everyone is always of best friends. :mrgreen:
MissK
Posts: 3011
Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2012 3:46 pm
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.

Re: Trouble in Paradise

Post by MissK »

I agree. My biggest concern was that they're trapped together. I've take two days off so I'm going to pull the divider and just keep an eye on things in the "morning".
-MissK
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