Aggressive Cockatiel

[texsize]

This is not the sort of birthday posting I had in mind for my 3 Amigos.

Popeye the male Cockatiel has suddenly become aggressive to his cage mate and Father Cheeky. I moved him into the other boys cage (Lucky and Baby) but he started chasing them around also. For the moment I have him in a small transfer cage. I can’t think of any other option.



He will be 1 year old in about 3 weeks. Could he be going through puberty? That would be my guess. Will he calm down? If so how long will it take?

 

[thommo78]

I'd leave him in with the other boys they will sort out the pecking order. He could be the dominant one. As long there's no blood drawn all is good. A video of aggressive behaviour would be helpful. Ours argue all day.

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[LordTriggs]

I'd leave him in with the other boys they will sort out the pecking order. He could be the dominant one. As long there's no blood drawn all is good. A video of aggressive behaviour would be helpful. Ours argue all day.

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NOPE!

This is not a good idea. If he is picking fights with the others then they need separating. Things can go ugly extremely quick. Birds don't fight for dominance as it's not a thing with birds, dominance is more of a predator/pack trait where as birds will more work in a communal way to assist the flock. Naturally they bicker and younger ones push their limits but it's rare that a straight up fight will happen, in the wild when one bites in an attempt to push their boundaries the others will go away and leave them. Of course in captivity they don't have that option so it's more likely that it will turn into a brawl.

It sounds like puberty, also probably frustration at being housed with his father. When they fledge birds leave the parents so it's not normal for him to be with his dad. He may need to have his own cage from now on. Naturally if he bites you just enforce bite trying, put on the floor pointing away from you and ignore for a couple seconds to a minute. Should let him know the fun stops when he bites

 

[thommo78]

I'd leave him in with the other boys they will sort out the pecking order. He could be the dominant one. As long there's no blood drawn all is good. A video of aggressive behaviour would be helpful. Ours argue all day.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

NOPE!

This is not a good idea. If he is picking fights with the others then they need separating. Things can go ugly extremely quick. Birds don't fight for dominance as it's not a thing with birds, dominance is more of a predator/pack trait where as birds will more work in a communal way to assist the flock. Naturally they bicker and younger ones push their limits but it's rare that a straight up fight will happen, in the wild when one bites in an attempt to push their boundaries the others will go away and leave them. Of course in captivity they don't have that option so it's more likely that it will turn into a brawl.

It sounds like puberty, also probably frustration at being housed with his father. When they fledge birds leave the parents so it's not normal for him to be with his dad. He may need to have his own cage from now on. Naturally if he bites you just enforce bite trying, put on the floor pointing away from you and ignore for a couple seconds to a minute. Should let him know the fun stops when he bites

I have an aviary with 19 cockatiels in it. Some are breeding age others are babies from last season i have recordings of beak fights all over the place. They are all still living happily with each.

Not even so much as a drop of blood spilt. They have settled their differences and quite happily together. My partner has raised birds for 20+ years. It can happen I'm not saying it can't. But more likely than not they will settle it peacefully. Our parents were still huddling with their babies from last year until we put the nest boxes back in.

In the end you need to do what you think is right at the time of the incident. Watch and see if they stop as quick as it started.

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[clark_conure]

My aunt gave me my first cockatiel from "santa" and she had the same stories as thommo78. Cockatiels can be wonderful with humans but they do bully each other at times, even their mates. Mostly feather plucking etc. It seems to be males that are breeding or ready to breed that are being the most aggressive....this kind of has to do with mother nature, survival of the species etc. not so much training a bird to live with humans.

This bird is at a baser level, not a lower level, but his programmed nature. If he was raised with just humans he probably wouldn't react this way at all; but pheromones and hormones he's trying to be dominant breeder.

It's up to you but everyone in all their cages is doing what comes naturally, My best guess is he will continue to be alpha no matter where you put him. I don't know what advice to give after that, some breeders just use bird like this as studs...and then separate...I don't know what the right answer is.

 

[Anansi]

I think both LordTriggs and thommo78 have points. Given the housing scenario thommo78 describes, allowing them to sort it out is indeed a viable option. because in an aviary setting, there is enough room to allow for flight rather than fight. Things can still go awry, of course, but it's not nearly as likely as in a more confined space.

Given the smaller confines of a cage, however, the chances of things getting ugly are greatly increased. The flight response is largely removed as an option, which can easily lead to an escalation in hostility.

Is it possible that 2 or 3 birds in a cage might sort things out themselves? Most certainly. But considering the increased risk of severe injury involved, I wouldn't risk it.

 

[texsize]

Thanks for the response guys.
Been too busy for computer time.

I have a video of Cheeky and Popeye but haven't had time to edit and upload it. Believe me it's more than a little "beak wrestling".

I separate them when Popeye starts chasing Cheeky around the cage but I am not home all day and I worry what might happen if left unsupervised.

My son can separate them if he notices but IF is the the key word.

hope he settles down soon.

 

[LordTriggs]

Thanks for the response guys.
Been too busy for computer time.

I have a video of Cheeky and Popeye but haven't had time to edit and upload it. Believe me it's more than a little "beak wrestling".

I separate them when Popeye starts chasing Cheeky around the cage but I am not home all day and I worry what might happen if left unsupervised.

My son can separate them if he notices but IF is the the key word.

hope he settles down soon.

yes being a full on fight requiring separation warrants a different cage to me

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I obly know one 'tiel Wes...but I agree...separation until things blow over. Rather be safe than sorry!





Jim