Sky, my new parrotlet. But...

[sky_parrotlet]

I bought a blue parrotlet yesterday at a local petshop near my place. I named it Sky because its blue and I believe its a male because of the brilliant blue on its rump and wings.

Before I got Sky, I actually picked out another parrotlet (slightly younger and smaller). It was crying for food like a baby, and I thought that was cute. But then realized that it didn't really stand properly and its feet were sooooo far apart from each other. I asked the shop keeper about its legs and he said that it's due to the fact that the bird is still young. I didn't want to have to bring home a really young bird, and from the looks of it, it still wants to be handfed? Just to avoid any tragedy, I decided to pick out an older bird instead.

So anyway, I got Sky because he was bigger and older than the earlier one I chose. The shop keeper said Sky is about 2 months old. He still needs to work on his balance and jumping from perch to perch (he misses a step or two once in a while).

He's a nice little bird, chirpy and eats alot! Its super nippy too and took a nice bite out of my arm earlier, ouch! But nipping is the least of my problems (I have a 11 month old lovebird and it took it almost 3 or 4 months before it totally bonded with me). My concern is its crazy trashing about the cage, wanting to be let out when I am near the cage or walking away from the cage or when it sees me (is it scared of me maybe?).

When I am near, and I say "hello" or speak to it softly it will chirp, but when I stand up to walk away it starts trashing around the cage and getting angry and clamping its beak on things, even its own feet.

I got a shock . Didn't know what was wrong because it was in an awkward position when it clamped its beak onto the cage bars and didn't move, so I quickly opened the cage to check what is wrong with it. The moment the door opened, Sky quickly scrambled and perched on the door opening and quickly flew to my shoulder.

So I thought maybe it wants to be handled (thats when he bit me hard on my arm because I was doing something else). When he was out, I talked to it, stroked it, scratched its head and all (he enjoyed himself). And I thought it was long enough for it to be out, so I put him back. Then took my lovebird out, played with it as long as I did with Sky and put it back.

About 5 or 10 mins later (after putting my lovebird back) I was walking about the house, and Sky would start trashing non stop in its cage. I didn't take it out or do anything because I thought it was best to ignore it and not make it a habit. I don't want Sky thinking trashing around the cage will help him gain some time out of its cage...

So my question is, what is wrong with Sky? Or is the problem me? I don't want him hurting himself though...

Another thing I thought you guys should know, my lovebird gave Sky a nasty bite on its beak yesterday when Sky flew on to my lovebird's cage (it happened so fast I wasn't quick enough to prevent it)...could this be why Sky is trashing?

Btw, my and my are housed in separate cages from the start and I didn't have any intention of housing them together.

Help please

 

[Dj tweet]

1stly the young bird in the shop sounds to have splayed legs
a problem that does not correct itself and perhaps you could suggest that to the owner as it relativly simple and cheap to fix

2nd your baby is only 8 weeks is he eating ok and all it's right on the edge of weaning and he may not have been totally ready iv he was hand raised that is ??? Which it sounds like if he let you scratch him etc
if he is eating properly and all then perhaps it's all the upset from being moved around so much breeders home pet shop your home all in a week or so would be very unsetteling for a little one
just leave him in his cage for a week or so talking with him and offering treats
once he seems at ease with your voice and company you can open the door and let him come out ( if he chooses )
remember how long they live for you have plenty if time
good things are worth the wait and you will be rewarded

 

[sky_parrotlet]

he eats and drinks really well. I have switched him to a full pellet diet (Zupreem), which he eats plenty of.

Now I notice that he is sleeping at the base of his cage. I picked him up to check him, he looks fine. His anus is clean...is Sky ok? I'm rather upset...I hope Sky is fine...

 

[CrypticDelirium]

I would recommend that (even since they've been close together) quarantining in separate rooms for at least 30 days and getting a vet check. Unless his beak was cracked or seriously injured I wouldn't think that's the issue, but if he is angry about it the quarantine would fix that anyway.
It doesn't sound to me like a health problem that's causing the thrashing, the vet check would just be for any new fid to overview and make sure everything's okay.
He probably just needs some time to settle in and become acquainted with you and the new surroundings. IF he doesn't mind having part of his cage covered, you could try that for a few minutes when he goes back in his cage to calm him down as long as he doesn't see it as a punishment! It seems to be a coin toss between the two as how different birds feel about that. Also, you might want to wait a bit on letting him on your shoulder, they can see this as a dominant position and take advantage of the situation. Try not to worry too much, He's probably just fine and experiencing the "new everything" jitters.
Congrats on your new pal, it sounds like you'll be a great parront to him, especially as observant as you are to his behavior. = )

 

[sky_parrotlet]

Thanks for all the help and advise. Sky is doing fine, a friend recommended a nesting box so sky can sleep in it instead of the cage bottom. I made him a fabric home, material from old clothing, he seems to like it and sleeps in it.

I have observed that his trashing is actually trying to open the cage doors to get out. But he doesn't do it very often now or that violently. He seems to also have stopped nipping at us...I love him so much (I love Ace, my lovebird just as much), just love the way he let's us preen him.

The remains of the bite he got from Ace is a dark dot on his beak (blood clot?). Looks just like a hard nip that you get from a parrot and your skin heals to a dot and then it disappears...hopefully his does...