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Hey, we have a female cockatiel called joey and i recently purchased a male cockatiel.. Joey is starting to get more aggressive then her normal self is it normal for the males to change the females attitudes?
Optional Information: Pet's Gender: Female Pet's Age: 3 Type of Animal: cockatiel
It's normal for any established bird to feel threatened when a newbie arrives. Not just a female like Joey, but any bird, any sex. It would be very wise to house them in their own cages and spend an equal amount of time with both, letting them see that you love them for who they are. I know it sounds wonky, but these birds aren't just birds - they are members of an elite group of birds known to be 'self aware'. Sentient. Right up there with dolphins, elephants, apes and of course, humans! Just because we might not understand each others' language doesn't mean we don't all feel the same feelings. So reassure Joey that the new guy is a good thing and that her place remains stable and important. Be kind, be patient and understanding - and go ahead and tell her what's going on. Birds have an amazing ability to understand our tone and our facial/body language. We should be so smart! --- You can see cage set ups for ideal socializing options without infringing on each others' territories here: www.4AnimalCare.org/birds (copy and paste into your address bar) ------------ They'll be fine as long as you lead them in the right direction. Good luck! (I'm off for the night, but if you need anything more just post and I'll be happy to work with you when I come on in the morning)
What if the male becomes dominate over her and forbidding her to bond with my mother? We had a male a few years ago and he wouldnt let her do anything with anyone.
-- It's to work with anticipations of things going wrong before they actually do. It's sort of like having a bad relationship in the past and expecting all future relationships to be bad as well. Chances are they will be - just because you believe they will, right ? If you expect this bird to be like the other one, why did you take the chance and get him? I suspect because you are confident that you won't make the same mistakes as before. Birds only get away with what we allow them to. So when he starts to act bossy or possessive, give him a time out until he behaves. A time out is being put in a different, quiet room away from any activity or anything to do -- for no longer than 5 mins. For a 'tiel. Set a timer because its easy to forget and longer than 5 mins will only create problems rather than help solve them. --
Experience: Cert. Avian Specialist; Int. Assoc.Animal Behavior Consult; Pet Ind. Joint Advisory Council; author