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Post by christine on Feb 14, 2013 22:42:59 GMT 10
Hi Mike, I just read your post to gfd78 about her Pineapple biting and replied. My Pineapple has recently been biting me. He is about a year old now and steps up fine and then bites me? He will fly to me and perch on shoulder and head and doesn't bite. But, everytime he steps up he bites? I know he is trying to tell me something but I am at a loss to figure it out. The only thing I can think of is that he is jealous of my new Macaw who is on hand feedings although I offer him the feeding also. He doesn't draw blood its just annoying. He and the Sun Conure are still bonded like "glue" so he does have someone? He also has 2-3 hours out of cage time as all my birds do. Any thoughts?
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Post by avinet on Feb 15, 2013 22:42:58 GMT 10
Hi Montana
Well there are a few possibilities. It may well be a jealousy thing with the Macaw; it may be just a temporary "growing up" behaviour that he will get over; and it maybe a sign that the pair bonding with the Sun is getting stronger than his bonding with you, and it is this third possibility that I would suspect. Doe she nip when you try to get him to step up when he is close to the Sun and not when he is separated from the Sun? If so then the third is looking favourite!
How much longer has the Macaw to go before it will be weaned? If the behaviour in the Green-cheek continues once that happens then jealousy can probably be eliminated.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by christine on Feb 15, 2013 23:10:43 GMT 10
Hello Mike and thank you! It doesn't matter where the Pineapple is when I pick him up by himself or close to the sun conure he always bites. 80% of the time I just ignore it unless he is constant with the biting for a long time and continually. My Macaw - Cherry - is six months old and on two feedings a day. She eats well at both feedings and is giving no sign of giving up either feeding. Recently I have been letting the pineapple and sun out in the morning by thermselves to see if this improves the situation. It could be just a growing up behaviour on the pineapple's part but now the sun conure will occasionally bite me - not often - she has never bit before always a very gentle bird. The sun doesn't like to be petted or cuddled but will readily hop on your finger at any time. The sun bites a little harder than the pineapple but its tolerable. So far I haven't done anything negative like saying no or returning them to their cage. My African Grey turned a year old yesterday and he doesn't seem jealous of the Macaw but who knows? No negative behaviour there. Did I mention that at one point they all went back for a tasted of baby formula for awhile but have now stopped. Thanks for the reply. Have a good day. Montana
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Post by avinet on Feb 16, 2013 11:02:31 GMT 10
Hi Montana
Sounds to me that it is more a case of two's company and three's a crowd!
I am not a believer in ignoring biting behaviour - if a young bird starts to bite my finger I will give my hand a shake to make the bird off-balance and hence stop biting. They usually quickly associate that off-balance feeling, which they don't enjoy - with biting and stop biting. Also my experience with conures is that they do tend to go through stages in their behaviour and have periods that they are delightful and other times they are little terrors.
Your macaw is getting a bit old to still be fed 2 feeds a day - Green-wings normally wean between 16 and 20 weeks old. The Blue & Golds we hand raised weaned at around 12 - 14 weeks. Does she eat much solid food yet? There can be a danger in feeding hand rearing mix after the bird should be weaned - these mixes are high in vitamins and nutrients and it is possible for a bird to overdose on things such as vitamin A, or iron if hand feeding continues too long.
I have been hand raising a few yellow Ringnecks this summer with the last two having just weaned last week. After the babies have been fed I have quite a line-up waiting for a taste of the left overs. Even some of the 20 year old cockatiels will have a taste, while my male Grey loves it and the 21 year old father of the ringnecks also loves hand rearing mix off the spoon.
cheers,
Mike
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Post by christine on Feb 16, 2013 22:52:04 GMT 10
Hi Mike, I have taken to blowing in the Pineapple's face when he bites - he stops. I will also try the off balance move. I am waiting on the DNA results of pineapple and sun. Maybe they are male and female? As for my Macaw she eats pineapple, melon, carrots, grapes, egg every day or should I saw she tries to eat these things. She also have avi cakes 50% pellets and seed. She usually picks out all the dried fruit from the seed first. My daughter has a Macaw who is two months older and he just gave up one of his feedings. I agree that Cherry should be off or down to one feeding by now but the breeder said it doesn't matter that she will give it up when she is ready? Is there something I could do to make these feedings less appealing? I agree that conures can be angels one day and devils the next. I love them they are always so busy! Thanks for the advice. Regards Montana
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