Sudden Territorial Aggression

[LoveMyConlan]

My Sun Conure, Mouse, who is about 5 1/2 months old is beginning to show some hefty territorial Aggression. When I first got Mouse she acted more like a human baby, not a bird. Now it seems through age, and me treating her as a bird, she's found her 'voice' so to speak.

She's NEVER acted like this before. Usually she's indifferent when my Gcc is around her or her cage, as the cages are next to one another. She ignores the other bird. Today, after bringing my 2 newbies home after their quarantine, I noticed when the female Gcc got close to the side of the cage Mouse's cage faces, Mouse did the normal Sun Conure anger dance. Bobbing, weaving, snaking, and opening her mouth. I thought it was the fact they were new to her so I brought my other Conure out in my hand, who she's known since she came home, and she did the same thing.

Completely abnormal for her. I'm not sure if this is just get growing up or if me not allowing her to think she's human has changed this. She normal in every other way except her tantrums of grabbing her wings and feet... Which the vet did check out and found nothing wrong. He thinks it's due to her being wing clipped before she fully fledged.

Your opinions on this? Like I said she's normal with people, still a cuddle bug that will crawl into your hands in the cage, but a sudden demon with other birds? I'm scared to even try bringing her out with Conlan for fear of a fight.. Which would be completely abnormal as even out together they would just keep to themselves. No bullying/Aggression.

 

[LoveMyConlan]

A bit of background... Mouse's cage is right next to, with about 5 inches of space between, the cages that hold my gcc's. The Gccs have a stack cage, Conlan on the bottom and the Newbies on the top.
Mouse had been home and around Conlan my 11 month old gcc for about 2 months. Because Mouse wasn't raised around other birds she acted more like a human baby and wasn't sure how to act around other birds. Conlan mostly ignores her and vise versa. Add they are not housed together and were always suppervised when out I'm not sure where this is coming from. Conlan, seeing Mouse's display did the Gcc stand really tall and weave thing back. They've never done that.

 

[LoveMyConlan]

I'm just worried that me treating her like a bird and not allowing her over mushy/attached attitude is causing this. I would feel so horrible

 

[MonicaMc]

This post by Lara Joseph may be beneficial in your situation.


https://larajoseph.wordpress.com/2011/03/12/training-a-bird-to-station-its-importance/

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

Setting limits with your sun is important. Letting them know who is in charge. If you don't, they'll 'assume' they are. I do think that part of this is because you brought some new birds into the picture. All birds seek to find their place in a flock. If a 'new' member comes along it's not uncommon for them to feel threatened. I would make a point to reassure Mouse that she is still a part of the flock and just as important as before. But you also don't want to become a pushover either.

It took me such a long time to get Skittles to where he is today. Much of it was trial and error, research and talking with other sun owners. In the beginning, I could not control him - his screeching was incessant, his possessiveness was out of control and I spent many a day wanting to rip my hair out. Once I tried to understand the situation and put myself in his shoes I started to to make significant progress. I asserted control and began to let him join in the daily activities - he did a complete 180. He still gets pushy sometimes but he is extremely compliant with my commands.

Maybe because Skittles is a male he is more territorial, I don't know. But what I do know is that IF I let down my guard, he has no problem taking over. I find that more than anything he wants to be treated as my 'equal'.

God forbid something should ever happen to me. Here, it's just me and Skittles 95% of the time. No one else. No spouse, no roommate, no kids. I have one other bird, Peaches who is in the other room. She doesn't come out much anymore. She is almost 21yrs old and very unsteady on her feet.

That is sort of a blessing and a curse. It's a blessing because it makes it easier to manage my time with them. It's a curse because with Peaches age, I can't play with her like I used too.

 

[LoveMyConlan]

It's just odd for her. Usually she's cool about anything and very sweet with everyone. She hasn't changed a bit towards me or others in the house. Just the birds. She's never so much as 'fluffed' up at Conlan so to see her react so agitated surprised me. The newbies are on their 'week of observation' to settle in and get used to our routine. I just thought it was the addition of those 2 that set her off, or my not coddling her any longer. THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

 

[Mimsy01]

Might be a mixture of the change-new birds-and just a mood.

Foo is mostly cool with us doing stuff in her cage and Zeki always likes to take baths in Foo's cage.

Most days this is fine, but sometimes all hell breaks loose and she throws a fit..and kicks everyone out of her space. Not that this is the cause of Mouses, but 9 out of 10 times that Foo is like that is when she has sheafs coming in an uncomfortable place. If I can get her to calm her anger and be allowed I'll break the sheaf and all is good again.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I would be more concerned if she had suddenly become aggressive and territorial with you and others as that is more a behavioral or hormonal thing.

It's likely she is just reacting to the changes. I'd continue to reassure her, it may prevent any aggression she could develop towards you or others. If she feels secure, she may be less likely to be aggressive towards the other birds.