Birds--General/Love birds

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Expert: - 1/11/2007


Question
Hi,

I have a pair of 6 year old peach faced love birds.  Recently, the male has become more dominent and started attacking the female.  As a result, she has a large lump on her head, and he often pulls the feathers out of the lump.  She looked very ill so they were separated for the night and the following day she seemed much brighter, but he has got though the partition and she seems nervous.  Will I have to separate them for good?

Thanks

Answer
Hi, Clare.  Thanks for posting!

If the male is physically harming the female, yes, you'll need to keep them separate.  Perhaps at a later date, he'll be more civil to the female.  Obviously, the female has been under much stress if she was better when the male was removed.

Chrys

Birds--General

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Chrys 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.

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