Bird Relationship

[JamesC]

A while ago, my old girl Tootsie was attacked by my Senegal and she lost a toe as a result. She is starting to return to her normal self but one thing hasn't returned to normal. Her relationship with Rosco, my other Blue Crown. Before the attack, they were pretty good buddies. Lots of mutual preening and bonding between them. There was the occasional squabble but not often or serious. After the attack, it seems like Rosco wants to drive her away. And Tootsie does not want to be with him. As an example, earlier this evening, she was on her cage and I saw him charge at her all puffed up and beak open as if to bite. She took off and came to me. The result of all of this is that she is spending a lot more time with me than she used to. Which I'm perfectly happy to have her spend more time with me, which is what she used to be like when she was an only bird in my home. But not because she is scared.

So I'm trying to figure this one out. I have been told about something like this before by a vet. How a flock might drive out a member that is perceived to be weak. Because of her age and frailty, Tootsie always has been the weakest member of my flock. She still has the scab on the stub of her toe and she still tucks that food often but I'm hoping that this next week will see the last of the healing and she can put this behind her. And I'm hoping that Rosco will give up this aggression when he does not see her showing weakness.

Fortunately, I've probably taken the worst of it from him so far. He is still very protective over Tootsie and does not like me messing with her. He bit my finger after I brought her back from the vet after our first visit. And last week he lunged and bit my nose after I moved my arm and Tootsie made a protest noise. Which HURT! Darn brat!

So I'm curious if anyone else with multiple birds have experienced such a thing.

 

[isybee]

I have not had that problem with my birds. My Quaker was hurt pretty bad. I'm not sure how he mangled his wing, but now he either has a dislocated or broken wing. I"m leaning more toward dislocated (so did the vet), but he is def weaker now. My conure has not treated him any different. They get along just the same now as they did before this happened. Although, my Quaker is the more aggressive vs. the conure. That may be the difference between your situation and mine. I'm hoping after Tootsie recovers, things will get back to normal for you and your family.