Conure meeting lovebird

[alastair]

I have a Lovebird that is about 8 or 9 months old, and recently I purchased a 10 week old Green Cheek Conure. I kept the two birds in separate cages for a while but close so they could see and hear each other. I eventually let them both out to meet, as I was hoping eventually at some point I could have them living in the same cage. However my Lovebird prances about nipping at the Conures feet. The Conure tends to back away as if its scared, but the Lovebird is persistent and follows. The Lovebird will also look like its preening the Conures feathers, but then the Conure will squawk, turn around and attack the Lovebird so im guessing the Lovebird is biting its neck. They had a fight the other day and Separated them quickly. But was just wondering, is this behavior because they dont like each other and never will? or because theyre just new to each other? Maybe the Conure is just scared and attacking out of panic? Because it looks like the Lovebird is just being nosey and just being a bit of a devil, the Lovebird doesnt seem to bite it hard, just little nips.

 

[stephend]

The Lovebird will also look like its preening the Conures feathers, but then the Conure will squawk, turn around and attack the Lovebird so im guessing the Lovebird is biting its neck. ... Maybe the Conure is just scared and attacking out of panic?

All I can say to this is that sometimes when I move my hand up to my shoulder to pet Bob he will squawk and even bite me. The bites seem to be warnings. I am prety sure that I just startle him as after I quickly move my hand a short distance away, I can slowly move it back to him and he will allow me to pet him.

 

[Lauren]

Lovebirds do what your lovie is doing. Feet biting is a notorious lovie thing.

Unfortunately, even if you have a bonded bird with a lovebird, feet biting will still occur.

Time is the key to determining if your two will eventually get along. Even then, its is NOT wise to plan on housing the two of them together. Each bird could do serious damage to the other and I don't think it would be worth risking that.

It took Skittles and Marley (Peachie & fischer's lovebirds) almost a year to get along and all of a sudden, one day, Skittles was FINALLY letting Mar groom her without reacting with toe biting.

 

[rochesteralexk]

Yeah i have a lovebird and conure that are bonded and stay in the same cage. He bites her feet all the time. Usually she ignores it but will sometimes squawk at him and he will stop.