Need advice on introducing new conure baby

[reckless73]

Hello everyone. Need advice, suggestions and thoughts. I have 2 male conures, 6 months and 3 months- both male. The 3 month old is the new addition to our house and after a quarantine and vet check-up was introduced to my older male. Separate cages but supervised playtime in neutral territory. Half the time all is great- mutual preening, cuddling, food sharing and my older male even tries to regurgitate and feed the baby. The other half is not so great- not sure if I'd call it beaking or fighting as I'm unclear of the difference- but nonetheless, I intervene quickly so no one gets hurt. they are going at each other with their beaks while making these awful noises, feathers ruffled, tailed fanned out and neither back off. What is going on here? I understand they may never be buddies, but after days of lovey sessions of preening and feeding, there are days they can't be out together as they immediately go after the other and start fighting.
Please offer any insight and advice on helping with their interactions. Thank you.

 

[weco]

Who initiates these jousting matches? Sounds like it might be either a display of pecking order or maybe it's a play for top dog position...hard to tell without actually seeing it.....

 

[reckless73]

Actually, it seems that they take turns daily being the instigator. One day it's the older male who seems more aggressive. Other days it's the 3 month old who seems to start the trouble. They are able to eat side by side with each other but anywhere else in the house and trouble brews. How can I help them along?? Do I let them fight it out as long as no one hurts the other? This seems rough because they do seem like they are out to really fight and I couldn't forgive myself if one or both became injured.
Should I put their cages in separate rooms in the apartment for a while and then reintroduce? Right now they are side by side.

 

[weco]

I've never really had any of my birds fight, though a couple have lost toes, from landing on someone else's cage and usually only when a hen was sitting eggs...the male was very protective of the cage, but I think, that because your guys are young, it's probably just something like sibling rivalry.....

 

[thebirdnerd]

I would give them some time. Once pecking order is established things should go a bit smoother. Keep them side by side for now and be consistent with the out of cage play time. These things take some time. Best of luck!