Smokey is "over preening."

[Smokeyandjake]

I'm not sure how many people will already know about my birds but Smokey is my 21 year old african grey congo and Jake is my 23 year old blue fronted amazon. They grew up together and have always got along, however did not get along with their owner my boyfriend's grandfather or any human for that matter after they hit maturity. Smokey has come so far and he sits on my shoulder gives me kisses I pet his head for hours,he lets me pick him up right out of his cage and he even regurigates sometimes when I come home from work. He's my baby. My boyfriend's grandfather recently passed away and left us Jake. I've come pretty far with jake he lets me hold him, he talks to me all day, and is so excited when I come home from work. They still get along really good but anytime Jake is on his cage and he talks and I talk back Smokey starts preening really angry like and obsessively. His bottom feathers are starting to look a little ragid and I'm worried. Whenever I train Jake and I'm intenionally spending time with him I take him in the bedroom away from smokey and vice versa. but I don't want to ignore him when he's on top of the cage talking to me and I'm around the house doing things. I try to look at Jake respond, and then look right back at Smokey but he gets so mad he won't look back at me. He just aggresively preens. I love Jake too and I don't want him to be unhappy, nethier of them seem to really want much of my boyfriend's attention. I think they just prefer women knowing his grandfather didn't have much luck after maturity. I still give him all the attention maybe even a little more because I'm worried sick he's so jealous he will start plucking..how do I prevent this? I don't want to give away my other baby, I've come so far with him in such little time and he's hasn't been held by anyone in a long time . What do I do?

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I don't know what to tell you..But I also had a "Smokey" she was a Timneh AG..and about 1.5 years later, I got Amy,the Blue Front. Smokes was the "1st bird" in the household,and she was VERY jealous of Amy..to the point where she'd sneak up to Amy,and yoink on her tail,then run off back to her house.
One time,they were out together,and Smokey walked up to Amy,and they went beak to beak. I thought that Smokey was finally going to make up with Amy,but she BIT Amy's tongue, requiring 5 stitches!
After that, I never let them get near each other. And if I paid attention to Amy,Smokey would purposely get into trouble! Tearing up stuff...going places she wasn't allowed,just so SHE would get the attention and not Amy
Pure jealousy is all...Maybe now that your Smokes and Jake are "mature" that is the situation.


Jim

 

[GaleriaGila]

I have no expertise to add, but I do have empathy and support.
I'm glad you're here and I'm glad you're reaching out.
This place will always be here for you (I'm discovering)!