Your poicephalus during puberty

[Jaz27b]

Hi hi,

Can anyone please share their experiences when their fid is going through puberty? Did u notice much changed in their behaviour and personality etc? a fellow member advised me that it is common for them to change quite bad to the point of lots being 're homed due to the puberty stage.... And changing from you to someone else as their new mate.

Thanks in advance!

 

[thekarens]

Mine are only a year old, but I'm sure Julie will pop in soon and speak up. Her red belly is 20.

 

[RavensGryf]

Like Karen said, I can tell you a thing or two about mature male Poicephalus aggression unfortunately! :52:

Robin is nearly 20, but I think he reached puberty late? LOL, at least the hormonal aggression didn't start until he was around 10? I can't really remember, maybe younger. He's not quite as bad now days. When he was hormonal (winter time for a few months), he wouldn't just do a normal 'bite'... He would clamp on with the grip of death like a Pit Bull and would not let go. His whole face and body would appear possessed These hormonal bites were even deeper and harder than a normal hard bite, and once he dug in so deep in my hand that he took a chunk of flesh OUT, not just skin but flesh too! It took a surprising amount of finger muscle to pry him off! Poi's especially the males, do have oversized beaks for their body size, and are known to be very hard biters. One other Poi trait is that they don't really show (noticeable) and obvious body language before striking.
"They say" Senegal and Red Bellied males are notorious for being the worst offenders regarding hormonal aggression. They are literally possessed. I hope Griffin doesn't get as bad.

I LOVE Poi's, and they are my absolute favorite genus regardless!!

 

[SennieSlave]

There is much less of me now, due to my male Sennie's hormones. My Ri started puberty at round about 2 or 3 I think - and he has stayed in that terrible teen tantrum phase (he's now 10). When the hormones hit every year - there are certainly times I feel like rehoming him.

Like RavensGryf says - they also tend to give no warning. Mine can be a love bug, really chilled and then ..... bam, he's latched onto me and grinding his beak until he parts flesh. He's like a can opener with wings.

I've lost count of the amount of scars I have on my hands, arms, legs, stomach etc. He's also got my face a couple of times and has had the end of my nose off (literally), pierced my ear, lip and tongue (that wasn't fun - blood pumping everywhere). He will grab on, in a vice grip and twist and bite deeper.

After, he will blow me kisses and ask if I'm alright.

Oh - and the screaming. I could cry some days.

Unfortunately my Ri went through a hormonal stage last Winter (because it was mild here in the UK) and then is going through another one now. So, it's been months of fun. :/