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, 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 a certified 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. 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.
Education/Credentials American Federation of Aviculture, completed Level I course, Fundamentals of Aviculture. Keeping/breeding parrots and other birds for over 20 years.
Question I have two parakeets (females) that have shared a cage for about 9 months. Everything seemed fine until a couple of days ago when I noticed excessive aggressive behavior toward the younger parakeet by the older parakeet. I quiet them by covering them up. What is happening?
Answer Hi again, Judy,
The extra information you provided in your rating indicates to me that this bird might be getting ready to lay eggs (females can lay infertile eggs without benefit of a male bird). Watch carefully as the older bird may not want the younger bird around AT ALL if she's going to nest!
I would need to know what you consider "excessive aggressive behavior." What you are seeing and what I would consider as "excessive" and/or "aggressive" might be 2 different things. Then you threw in the phrase "I quiet them by covering them up." Does the latter mean they are just being excessively noisy all of a sudden or are these 2 birds actually fighting, any blood being drawn, young bird being injured in/around the cere/eyes/nostril areas, feathers being pulled out, etc.?
It doesn't surprise me that these 2 females aren't getting along all of a sudden considering it's breeding season and hormonal activity might be increasing. Some female keets can be very aggressive, killing "rival" females in the process (I've seen it happen many times). In fact, some overly aggressive female keets can only be housed with other females that can "stand up" to the aggressor and/or male birds. This type of behavior can also be caused by too small of a cage, improper/inadequate diet, not enough sleep/rest, and other stressors. You may need to separate these 2 birds, but I would need much more information from you in order to advise properly.
