Lover's Quarrel (bad Griffin)!

[RavensGryf]

I've never had 2 parrots before who were as close friends as Raven and Griffin are. The boys are really a bonded couple. Raven feeds Griffin, they preen each other, they follow each other everywhere. Entirely different species, and Raven my Pionus is over twice the size of Griffin the Ruppell's (Poicephalus).

Tonight I witnessed something pretty distressing. Griffin is over 2 years old now, and I see him 'changing'. Challenging me more, etc., and tonight he really tried to get Raven. Usually when they squabble it will be a bit of squawking for a second or two. Sometimes they beak at each other, but nothing serious.

Tonight Griffin attacked Raven. He wasn't hurt thank goodness, but I wonder if this 'fight' was a warning of what is to come. Griffin didn't let up this time, feathers came out, and when Raven fled, he followed and kept biting him. I never heard Raven scream so loud. Keep in mind they are flighted. Raven is older than Griffin, and has always been gentle with his little friend. I know Raven's temperament, and he would never hurt his smaller friend. Griffin on the other hand is temperament wise pretty crazy. I am now watching carefully, not only because he tries to mess with Robin, which has resulted in Griffin missing toenails, and now he's attacking his bff!

I'm concerned about this, because although Griffin's body is a lot smaller than Raven, his beak and head is not a ton smaller, and I fear for Raven.

I'd really hate to have to clip Griffin, because unlike Raven he loves to fly, and does it often. He has a lot of pent up energy. The guy needs an aviary!

 

[Jayyj]

Sorry to hear that. Was there anything that could have triggered it? When do pois reach maturity?

 

[SailBoat]

Peaking order thing?

 

[Aquila]

What about a partial clip? Just enough so that he can't follow Raven as closely.

 

[gracebowen]

When I clipped my baby tiels I started out very slowly. I clipped about half of 2 feathers. Waited two days and finished the 2 feathers. The next day I only clipped half of one feather. Waited a day and finished clipping. I dont remember how many I clipped but When I was done they could still fly but they weren't as quick to take off.

I didnt towel them or anything. It only took a few minutes each time. Maybe because they were so little is why I found it so easy. I was able to hold with one hand and clip with the other.

I can post a video if you want to see the process I used

It seemed to me like they had to plan their flight better. A light clip might be a good compromise.

 

[Scott]

What a shock, Julie. Thankfully Raven has a great disposition, but you never know if that might change if pressed hard enough. Is this about the age for Griffin to reach sexual maturity? Could this be a factor?

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

I dont really know a whole lot about behaviour problems but Im so sorry this has happened...so glad there was no serious damage done and that both boys are okay...would it possibly be a hormonal thing and the time of year etc that caused them to have this fight...wouldnt clipping his wings cause Griffin to be more frustrated...have you thought of letting them out of their cage at different times or is that possible ?

 

[Allee]

Julie, sorry to hear your resident bad boy is picking on his best friend. I hope this isn't an indication of things to come. Poor Raven, I'm glad he wasn't hurt and didn't get aggressive with his little buddy.

 

[GreatBlue320]

So glad Raven wasn't hurt. Hoping this was an anomaly and not an indication of future behavior!

 

[RavensGryf]

Raven: "Okay, now that we're grown up, I'm the boss between us. I feed you, and I'm bigger than you."
Griffin: "Oh heck no you're not the boss of me!! (little fists come out) You might be bigger, but I'll show you! Yeah, you better run Raven!!"
Raven: "Okay! Stop attacking me you little shrew with wings! Help!!! Mom!!!"

Thanks everyone for your replies . No obvious trigger. They have minor bickering at times, but never like this.

As far as sexual maturity, I don't think Griffin is old enough to breed, but I've seen his behavior change, and he's old enough that I think this could be the beginning of hormones. That on top of his normally mischievous, assertive, and overly energetic personality! Griffin turned 2 in March and has been hell on wings especially this year.

I do wonder if "couples" who grow up together have pecking order disputes like any other flock members when they reach maturity? Possibly only some breeders will know this answer. I've always taken for granted that since they're a "bonded pair" they would never hurt each other. But come to think of it, you hear of mate killers. Then I think that just has to do with the hen having reluctance to mate. No hens here... although Raven does try to 'mate' with Griffin. I'm not sure about pecking order in pairs. I should research to see if I could find some data on that.

Another complication is that they are 2 completely different species from different continents, different environments, and different lifestyles in the wild.

Griffin suffers from a psychological phobic disorder that developed as he got older, and now I can't touch him. It does seem like letting his wings grow out gave him confidence, and he no longer has panic attacks. Trouble is, now he is too full of himself!

To catch and touch him to do a light clip would be more distressing to Griffin than it would be for most birds because of his condition. Also he LOVES to fly. He'll zip back and forth just for fun, and to get rid of a ton of pent up energy. That is probably his problem too. Griffin ideally needs an aviary, but that isn't feasible now. I do think his extreme energy is part of him being so hard to handle. He is of the smallest parrots I've had, but by far the biggest handful! I feel that Griffin in particular benefits from flying, whereas Raven is more sedate and rarely flies, and only when absolutely necessary.

I will have to assess this situation upcoming, and if I decide to clip, it will have to be a delicate balance between keeping him flighted enough that his phobic disorder symptoms don't get worse, but enough that it keeps him more at bay.

 

[Scott]

That is a really tough situation Julie, but I believe you have all the insight necessary to make the situation manageable and safe. I haven't clipped a bird in many years, but it seems to dampen some aggressiveness. Perhaps just a light clip is all that is needed, without totally depriving Griffin of a necessary outlet.

 

[Anansi]

I'm so sorry to hear this, Jules. Griffin is definitely your "problem child". Poor Raven.

I'd suggest letting them out at different times. Within the confines of a room, a light clip might not make enough of a difference, yet flight is important to Griffin. So just letting them out separately would likely be the best answer.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Not sure how I missed this thread. I am so sorry. I can't imagine how shocked You AND Raven were

 

[RavensGryf]

Thank you .

Stephen, that is a point, as the room is 11x18', so not tiny, but not big enough to have a slight clip make much of a difference. Letting them out at different times would cause them so much frustration, since the boys are so bonded that they are always wanting to be together. They will literally call each other's name when they are in their cages and wanting to see each other lol.

I am in the process of cleaning up and rearranging a spare room. This might open some possibilities. I want to paint in there first though, but might not be able to. I will just watch real close and hope that this is an isolated event in the mean time.

I wish I could talk to a Poicephalus breeder about behavior of pairs, or mature males in a pair, but breeders are always so busy, I don't know who will be able to give me (a non-customer) the time. Those breeders who will, are few and far between.

Also remember Robin has to be out here on the stand with me when I'm at the desktop computer, so he won't bite any more of Griffin's toes off when Griffin insists on messing with Robin . Then of course Mink the English Budgie can't be anywhere near the parrots. It's already so hard and adds stress for me being responsible to keep everyone separate as it is with my limited time. I envy those who can keep everyone out as a "flock". Those who ask what it's like to add more birds.. you can never predict how it will go depending on each of the personalities... just like asking how a certain group of people will get along or not. It really depends!

 

[Christinenc2000]

What brand of paint are you using ? I have to paint this fall and already looking.

I read threads about flocks and want another bird. I read threads like this and glad BB is a only child. Well kinda . He thinks he is a dog shhhh

 

[RavensGryf]

What brand of paint are you using ? I have to paint this fall and already looking.

Whatever is left over in the garage from 2 years ago lol. It is all low VOC paint that they sell thee days anyway. We'll see if I have time to do it, but it needs it.