AboutChrys Meatyard Expertise I`ve been raising/breeding/handfeeding/selling parrots for over 20 years (parakeets/budgies, cockatiels, 6 subspecies of conures, parrotlets, amazons, lovebirds, etc.). I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England. I can provide advice in raising healthy birds, handfeeding/weaning babies, some health problems (although I'm NOT an avian veterinarian), nail/beak/wing clipping, general husbandry, etc. I also have experience with racing/showing homing pigeons. I cannot diagnose specific illness over this website. If you suspect your bird is ill or if you have an emergency, contact an avian veterinarian or emergency pet clinic ASAP.
Experience Experience: Over 20 years raising parrots and over 13 years raising pigeons. Organizations: Currently, American Racing Pigeon Union and American Federation of Aviculture. Prior member Miami Valley Bird Club, Southern Ohio Pigeon Association, National Cockatiel Society, Miami Valley Sportsman's Club, others. Publications: Monthly newsletters of bird clubs.
Publications I've been published in "Budgies" and "Cockatiels" offered by Bow Tie Productions, and have written avian articles for publication in England.
Education/Credentials American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.
Question Hi,
I have a question about my cockaitel's behavior, let me give you a little history, maybe it will make a difference.
I have 3 cockatiels. I had one of them for half a year before I got the other 2. The other 2 are sisters, I got them from my aunt who bought them, but didn't have time for them. I've had these 2 cockatiels for almost 2 years. Ever since I got them, they have been in the same cage. I never put them together in the other cokatiel's cage. So I have 2 cages, one of them has 2 birds in it, the other one has 1. they used to be in separate rooms, but they would play together a lot.
We moved about 7 months ago, now the cages are right next to eachother. Recently one of the 2 birds is chasing the other one around the cage and tries to bite her. I don't think she hurts her, but all the flapping around might. This happens mostly when I try to cover them for the night. What i use to cover them is light colored. but if I put another cover to make it dark, she'll stop chasing. But if i look in the cage again later, she'll chase again. then in the morning when I uncover them she starts chasing but stops quickly. It seems like she does it when I come around the cage at certain times.
I don't understand why she does this. The other bird, the one being chased doesn't seem to like it, but doesn't chase or bite back. Before we moved, they used chase each other around sometimes, but the one being chased would bite back, and it would end quickly and not happen often. Now I'm worried about the one being chased because she seems stressed.
I can't put the one being chased in the other cage because that bird is laying eggs (they're not fertilized), but I'm afraid the other birds might break the eggs.
I don't know if this has anything to do with it, but the bird that chases, has been lifting her tail up and making mating noises a lot lately, they both have before, but they've never been violent with eachother before. I noticed the bird being chased doesn't make the mating noises at all now and she used to before this started.
This has been going on for about 3 weeks now, can you please help? anything you know would be apreciated. Thanks.
Karla
Answer Hi, Karla. Thanks for posting and for providing all the detailed information. This helps a lot in trying to understand what might be going on in a particular situation.
So, there are 3 female tiels in cages next to each other. This is breeding season, so I'm not at all surprised to read that the one in particular, is exhibiting mating behavior (raising her tail into the air). She seems a bit confused though, since the other in the cage is also a female (if you know their sexes for sure). I'm also not at all surprised to read that the one is chasing the other. She probably wants her out of the cage thinking that once she mates and lays eggs (or just lays eggs), she wouldn't want the other female in the same cage with her eggs.
Since the other bird's eggs would be infertile anyway, why are you reluctant to move the tiel being chased into the other cage with her? I would recommend this, as long as they can get along together. Continual egg laying (without babies) can be detrimental to the bird's health. The one being chased is under a lot of stress, and this can be detrimental to her overall health. Stress can result in compromise to the immune system and result in illness. Not to mention that the "bully" might start pecking at her eventually, causing even more harm. Some are so aggressive, they might even kill another of the same sex, particular female parrots. You might even consider putting them all together in the same cage and connecting the 2 cages together somehow into one larger cage for all three and/or buying/making a larger cage. You could probably solve 2 problems (the infertile egg laying and the bullying) with one action.
Parrots cannot see well at all in darkness (have you ever noticed that the only birds out at night are nocturnal birds). This is why when you put the darker color cover on the cage (and/or turn the lights off), they roost for the night (and the one quits picking on the other). The lighter color cover may still let enough light in that they can see well enough. Also, when you lift the cover, this lets enough light in so they can see. If you ever need to catch a loose bird, just make the room dark and it will be easy to catch!
