Parakeet Fights

[625.elizabeth]

I found a female parakeet - under a bush! Had her for a few months. Her wings are unclipped, but I purposely left them as they are because I also have a dog and I thought perhaps she might need them if for some insane reason they were face to face. (I would never allow it, but just in case - fight or flight) We thought maybe she was lonely so we got another (male) parakeet. He is still pretty young and much smaller than she. I had them in two separate cages, but my cleaning lady thought they would like to be together, so she put the female in the (much larger) new cage. This is only the male's second day with us. The female seems to be kind of aggressive toward the male. Mind you, she is not really very friendly to me either. She will eat a millet spray when I hold it out to her, but pecks my finger if I try to pet her.
I have given them separate water, separate food, etc. But she follows him wherever he is. Right now he is on the very top perch and she is next to him. And they are sleeping peacefully. But when awake she tries to peck at him. Will she ever stop? Will she bond with him? The poor guy is new and just a baby - BTW his wings are clipped.
Thanks for your help!

 

[MikeyTN]

You must be real careful! I've seen parakeet females killing males. I would rather place two males together over a pair! I would separate them until the male matures a bit before placing them together.

 

[Bright Star]

I have two budgies (parakeets) and for a short time they were together in a cage. Even with multiple food and water stations, we had aggression issues. To be honest, I think they should have separate, side-by-side cages unless they're an already-bonded pair. That's the setup we have now, and both birds enjoy having their budgie close, but also enjoy the lack of competition for food. You can't force a bond. Separate them and let them be friends.

What you can do, over time, is gradually allow them out of cage time together so that they can get to know each other in a neutral space. This time should be supervised.

 

[pityu]

I had two lovebirds and they where togehter in over 2 years, they even seemed realy happy but one day the female started picking on the green one, following wherever he went and didnt realy let him eat etc. I thought it might be the hormones but it continued in 2 more months untill i one day came home and found the male with a bleeding awfull scar just above hes eye and with some feathers missing
It broke my heart and i was forced to separate them, so be carefull she might even kill him.

 

[cockatielfan17]

the female is very territorial so first u should quarantine them so they could get used to each other and 2 days is way to early he has to settle in give him a week then try again