New Bird Dynamics

[TikkiTembo]

Hi friends,
We've recently been attempting to integrate Bismo into the flock of Tikki and Tootie, and have had mostly success until today. Today, Tootie and Bismo haven't been getting along very well. Tootie is pretty grumpy most of the time anyways, but Tikki always backs off and flies away and we've had no issues. But as Senegal owners know, and as I now know, Bismo won't back off! Thankfully, it's a bunch of show for now, but I took the precaution of putting Tootie back in his cage, since he's the aggressor. They're all flighted, so I figured nobody would really bother each other too much, but now I'm worried a bit.
I will not be letting Tootie and Bismo out together without me in the room for now, if even that. But I'd love to fix this problem if I can. What have you all done? Is there any hope for peace? Picture of the angry dinosaur for you

 

[Cynthia & Percy]

Even with separate out times and taking one bird at a time you’ll have to worry about toes they can get each other’s toes through the cage bars

 

[Mizzely]

When Jingo was still here, I ended up putting a mosquito netting type thing around Ripley's cage as he kept flying to the cage and getting his toes nipped.

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[TikkiTembo]

Poor Bismo only has two full toes with nails thanks to a lifetime of landing on cages and fighting birds much bigger than him!

 

[Dartman]

We put a thick wool army blanket on Nerds cage when Beeper, our house Finch was out in the living room. She wouldn't leave the big bird alone and lost the end of several toes as well. She was very stubborn and they grew to hate each other.

 

[Leih]

When Jingo was still here, I ended up putting a mosquito netting type thing around Ripley's cage as he kept flying to the cage and getting his toes nipped.

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Mosquito netting is a good idea. I hate putting a blanket over my linnies' cage during the day so my lovebird can fly but otherwise she pesters to no end. Going to look into netting.

 

[TikkiTembo]

Has anyone actually fixed the problem between birds, or is the general consensus just to seperate them?

 

[Leih]

I'm currently working on getting my lovebird and conure to be friends, I'm trick training them simultaneously so as to encourage a flock mentality. It's been months however lovebirds are naturally so aggressive. And I let them sit one on each hand and eat some treats. So clicker training together may be worth a try. That way they're getting your attention and positive reinforcement while working together.

 

[Dartman]

With Nerd and Beeper they hated and were jealous of each other, plus the huge size difference, so there was no way to safely let them interact. I'm sure some similar sized birds can do it but you still have to be careful as any creature can have a bad day.

 

[TikkiTembo]

With Nerd and Beeper they hated and were jealous of each other, plus the huge size difference, so there was no way to safely let them interact. I'm sure some similar sized birds can do it but you still have to be careful as any creature can have a bad day.

I'm hoping that maybe Tootie was having a bad day today. They're all getting new cages, so maybe I'll move Tootie into the living room. He's a perch potato, so he could sit on his perch in the living room, Chipper in the kitchen, and Tikki and Bismo in the play room. Phew!

 

[Mockinbirdiva]

I can't say you'll be able to change their interaction. Bismo hasn't been with you for very long so it's too early to tell if they'll be able to tolerate each other. I will say, both Ruby and Scarlette were hatched here in the same clutch in 2009. They cannot be out in the same room without me in the room. Crimsons don't give up on a serious fight and these two sisters would fight to the death. Casey hangs out with Scarlette when they are all out. I've had to train Ruby to stay with me but once in a while she'll fly over to Scarlette's cage and try to get some social time with Casey. Scarlette used to stay at a little distance but she's decided to come out of her shy shell with Ruby because she knows how vicious Ruby can be. Scarlette is having none of her invasive sisters advances on her "boyfriend" and now comes at her with intentions of an attack. I'm always watching and before anyone can make a move I'm telling Ruby to get back on me. She may hesitate for a moment because she wants to stay with Casey but I can be very insistent for a quick return to avoid any injuries.

I'm not sure how big your room is but you may be able to make a divider from one wall to the other with a long pole you can hang sheer curtains to close and open as you need to keep them from flying to each others cages. Even then... you would still have to supervise... those little stinkers can be determined! Years ago, Ruby flew over to Scarlette's cage when I wasn't in the room and she plucked her sisters face bald. It took months for those feathers to grow back in on Scarlette. Against my desire, I clipped Ruby so she could have some out time. Knowing she couldn't fly across the room. The little bugger made it to the floor and was still able to fly up to Scarlette's cage and do it again... naked face again! Ruby is the strongest flyer I have. I let her flights grow back out but she is no longer allowed freedom unless I'm with her.

 

[Mockinbirdiva]

Fun facto.... since I am Ruby's main companion. She's always on me when I'm in their room. She's the most lovable bird. Loves being kisses on... her back, her tummy... razzies don't bother her in the least, she loves it all. She even lets me kiss the top of her head when she's eating. She demands my attention, wiggles into the crook of my arm so I feel like I'm carrying a tiny pocket book while I'm wiping the floor up. Now she has an obsession with climbing down my leg to check out my socks and shoes. Must trim those sharp toenail tips.... it feels creepy.... like a tiny kitten climbing up and down my leg!

 

[iamwhoiam]

Some birds just don't get along with one another. Even birds that were originally close friends can decide that they don't want to be buddies any more. The best thing to do is monitor and supervise when they are out and make sure they stay separated.

 

[Mizzely]

In the wild, some parrot species are really gregarious and can be seen in multi species flocks. Other species, like African Greys, do not tolerate the presence of other species. Flock Behavior: How It Affects Our Companion Parrots

Even then, if they have issues with a specific bird, they can put dozens of birds between themselves so they don't have to really worry about it. They also have more to do... Flying, searching for food, mating activities... Things they don't often have in our homes.

I believe Pois tend to be less accepting of other species just based on this forum, sadly!

 

[TikkiTembo]

Update... I brought Bismo out this morning for a while by herself and she happily helped us make breakfast and coffee. Then she and Tikki played in the bird room while Tootie angrily sat in the living room and Chipper enjoyed his usual spot in the kitchen. Tootie was so upset to be without Tikki that I put Bismo in Chipper's huge cage and let Tikki and Tootie have their usual play time. Now Bismo has been out for an hour, and I'm a out to get Chipper out for one more hour too. It's a bit of a juggle, but it's worth it!

 

[berries]

Sometimes you just have to juggle like that to avoid fights. Definitely stick it out and expect the process to take a long time with getting everyone to get along or at least tolerate each other. But also be prepared for the possibility of never having a cohesive flock if they truely can’t coexist without close supervision or physical boundaries.

 

[Nobirby]

It breaks my heart to have to keep the terrible trio in their cage more now. But if I want to spend time with the new kid, I have to make sure they are safe. Okay, to make sure they are not getting into/onto places they shouldn't when I am in the other room with Beau. I love it when they call to him/me, and Beau calls back to them. I left my sound machine on with birds singing for Beau yesterday. Soon I heard him singing. Gosh, I love my birdies!

 

[fashionfobie]

I think all birds are unique. Some birds just have bad days. On very hot days my guys can get pretty crabby.

I have also notice the time of days makes a difference.

You just need to be vigilant. Some birds will not get along, and that needs to be accepted. The sanctuary near me keeps a wide range of sizes together but they are in a double story massive aviary. I am not sure our houses are always big enough. Even in the sanctuary some more emotionally damaged parrots live with the doves. This poor Quaker with a questionable background was so needy to some of the parrots, they got annoyed with him and beat him up. poor guy. I just visit the sanctuary, so I don't know the whole story.

 

[TikkiTembo]

Update! We've had no more aggression, and if there has been any, I haven't seen or heard it! Tootie and Bismo now can pass by each other without incident, eat in the same area, and today, they were in seperate cages bathing at the same time. So it seems promising