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Birds--General/tiel behaviour

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Expert: - 1/7/2007


Question
I have 2 tiels. both males 2 1/2 yrs old. One grinds his butt on the lettuce I put on the cage. Is that sexual behaviour?
One more, why does one pursue the other, following him so close he steps on his tail. He does not let up and is clearly irritating the other bird. Is this mating behaviour or "power tripping"?

Answer
Hi, Lisa.  Thanks for posting!

The butt grinding on the lettuce could be the bird masturbating with the lettuce or the bird is getting itself wet with the lettuce, if you put the lettuce in the cage wet.  By the way, if this is iceburg or romaine lettuce, it has no nutritional benefit for your tiels.  Offer kale, mustard greens, spinach or similar.

The following around is most likely power tripping.  Parakeets often do this to tiels when they are housed together.  Is the one following also the bird grinding it's butt on the lettuce?  This might help explain what's going on.

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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