Are they fighting or just playing?

[ParrotsParrotsParrots]

I recorded this video of two of my caiques earlier today.

They were sure making a ruckus and I am hoping someone who is familiar with caique behavior can tell me if they are fighting or playing? Do they need to be separated?

It's Turbo and Peaches, a male and a female both are about 9 months old, raised together and caged together along with another male and female. The idea is that they will pair off eventually. I just want to do it safely. The current arrangement is at the suggestion of an experienced breeder. Eventually, each pair will be housed separately.

I'd love to get some opinions before I share my take on it....

Here is a link to video...[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVn74SAWkeE]Caique Argument - YouTube[/ame]

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Echo]

At first I thought "fight" because they are both aiming for each others beak and doing lots of chest and wing pumping. However, by the end, and what I noticed here and there, is that they are play feeding each other and hanging upside down, which is play.

So I would say you have 2 young males playing but also wanting to assert each others virility???

 

[ParrotsParrotsParrots]

So I would say you have 2 young males playing but also wanting to assert each others virility???

Thanks, I noticed the feeding too which made me think practice courting.

It is a male and female. The one who is leaning back is the female. The one with the really ratty tail feathers is the male. I love how he stops and whistles right in the middle of it all.

Any other thoughts?

 

[ShellyBorg]

At this point it looks like they where testing each other, but I would keep a close eye on them.

 

[ParrotsParrotsParrots]

AHowever, by the end, and what I noticed here and there, is that they are play feeding each other and hanging upside down, which is play.

Good point, also I noticed that their was opportunity for Peaches to get away once she swung down under the shelf but she stuck around for more...

 

[ParrotsParrotsParrots]

At this point it looks like they where testing each other, but I would keep a close eye on them.

I will, I also am trying to get the breeder that I got them from to take a look since she has lots of experience with caiques. I hope she has some insight as well.

Obviously, neither of them were in pain or hurt.

 

[Echo]

I do know that Caiques play really hard. My 2 girls used to scream blooding murder when playing and I always ran into the bird room to see what was going on......and every time, they were only playing! They would stop and look at me like saying "WHAT??" and get back at it! LOL

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Their playing ! but I bet one would like a break from the other. I don't know about housing them all together like that though.

 

[MonicaMc]

Looks more like fighting than playing behavior to me.

I've seen plenty of videos of caiques playing together, and I've never seen two "play" like that....


Having said that, I am no expert on caique behavior.

 

[ParrotsParrotsParrots]

Their playing ! but I bet one would like a break from the other. I don't know about housing them all together like that though.

Thanks Pink! The breeder recommended that arrangement until they start pairing off so that they could pick their own mate since they are all unrelated to one another and are intended to be two breeding pairs.

That being said, I intend to keep a close eye on them and appreciate any advice or experience since I am new to caiques.

I also have caging available to separate them at a moments notice. Their current cage is 6 feet long, 2 feet wide by three high so they have lots of room.

Thanks so much for the input, I appreciate it!

 

[ParrotsParrotsParrots]

Looks more like fighting than playing behavior to me.

I've seen plenty of videos of caiques playing together, and I've never seen two "play" like that....

This is why I ask although the feeding looks non aggressive and towards the end there was an easy opportunity to get away if desired and she stuck around for more. Plus for the intensity of the situation there are no injuries.

I have seen them do it before and they seem okay.

I am gonna definitely keep an eye on them.

 

[ParrotsParrotsParrots]

So I said I would share my suspicions on what might be going on...

I am wondering if it might be courting behavior coming from the male and the female just doesn't want anything to do with that sort of thing yet. Which if it is I may separate them just to let the Peaches rest and not feel chased or stressed by an over eager beau.

Does anyone else see that? Again it's hard to say because these guys are new to me. If it was parrotlets I'd know. It's a bit of a learning curve.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

My Greta and Sammy have cages next to each other. When I let them out together Greta would get upset [Sammy was too excited for her]. Now I attach toys on top of their cage and let one out at a time [They love it!!] They visit through the bars . They have built their relationship that way [Gretas much happier].They get along better the times their out together too.Maybe another cage to give her a break.You can see then how they respond to that.