Need advice Incompatible hanging parrots

[indobird]

I have two blue crowned hanging parrots who have shared their aviary home for about four months. I didn't buy them at the same time and the female has lived in the aviary about three weeks longer. It's a mixed bird aviary, but they are pretty much the biggest birds and they get along well with the littler birds but they don't seem to enjoy each other very much.

They always sit in nearby branches and sometimes sleep, hanging upside down, side by side. But if the male, who obviously wants to be friends, tries to get too close to the female, or tries to share the fruit she's eating (which might be as big as half a mango and he just wants to stand on the other side and eat with her), she tries to bite him. Why is she so unfriendly? Will this ever get any better? I thought she would get used to him eventually but I'm starting to think she never will. Is there anything I can do to help them along?

[vankarhi]

Well that doesn't sound too bad. My alex's all get along together very well but will squabble over who is sitting on who's branch and they all try to take food from Takoda (my pet male alex) ....... Shrekie will bite others if it takes her fancy ........ as long as your birds are not actually damaging each other and not causing serious injury ........ then I would let them be and just keep an eye on them.

[vankarhi]

p.s I will also add that I know absolutely nothing about hanging parrots.......but didn't think it sounded like your birds were doing serious damage to each other .......

[avinet]

Unfortunately there are no Hanging Parrots in Australia - at least not legally! I have only seen them in UK birds parks.

So I know nothing about Hanging Parrots, however it isn't that unusual for a pair of parrots to stay pretty remote from each other at first, and it often takes the start of breeding season and the flow of hormones, before they see much use for each other.

cheers,

Mike

[vankarhi]

Indobird might not live in Australia??? ;D

[indobird]

Thanks for the advice. It sounds like I should just give it time.

Here in Indonesia, small blue crowned hanging parrots are bred very successfully and in large numbers. I don't know how they fare in the small cages that most people keep them in but mine are very happy and healthy in their aviary. They often hang upside down during the day, which I've read is a sign that they are relaxed and contented in their surroundings.