"Breeding Season" behavior long before puberty?

[ImmunoGoblin]

I'd love to hear feedback from some of you who have had Amazons for many years. Is it possible for juvenile birds who have not yet gone through puberty to exhibit some of the "breeding season" behaviors of adult birds?

Our DYH is 1 year old and male. He has the typical "hot 3" personality, but in the past few days I've noticed a lot more aggression related to me approaching his cage. He's always a little grouchy when I'm cleaning his cage, but he's flown at my head a couple of times recently. Usually he's a little more passive-aggressive than that.

Our OWA is 3 and generally mellow, but he has been nippier and more intense the last few days too.

Could they be responding to the days getting longer?

 

[henpecked]

Yes,,, juvenile birds of species like amazons are very "developed" to the point where testing the leadership is normal. Likewise is adult behaviors . Topics like ," survival of the fittest" and "Darwinism" seem to apply. Pushing the envelope, testing boundaries, is a common amazon trait. When it comes to hormonal behaviors,,, i've found the less of a big deal when young,,, the less of an issue when older. " Nip it in the bud".

 

[henpecked]

Oh ,, i could write a book on the differences between OWA and DYH. i raise them both and they are worlds apart. In fact , i've lived with both for over 30 yrs. man, i'm getting old.

 

[ImmunoGoblin]

Is there any way to tell when puberty is starting? Besides the onset of certain behaviors and more volatility/aggression/excitability?

Last night my OWA was making a strange head bobbing motion that didn't look like his normal excited head bob. It looked as if he was going to regurgitate, but he didn't. And he was super bitey, which he normally is not, and very excitable. Usually he flares his tail and pins his eyes when he's just happy or excited, often when he's talking. The last couple of days, it's been more like a typical "do NOT approach this bird, it's a trap!" signal.