Why is Phoenix....

[luluxoxo83]

Whis Phoenix only going after Lulu. I know for sure that lulu is a female. I believe that Phoenix is a male, unless she is a 4 year od female that has never layed....is that possable? Phoenix does ok with Sky and Sunny but anytime LuLu gets close he chases her and tries to bite. What can I do?

[bookworm0550]

Don't know. Maybe you should switch lulu with sunny?

[Chickobee]

We have had our birds DNA tested to determine males and females. So, knowing that, we observe all sorts of interactions between the various birds during flock out playtimes.

Sometimes a female is chasing a male, or two females are talking and allo-feeding, or two females are fighting... There is every combination of interaction you can imagine. Trying to figure out their communications or reasons for doing what they do sometimes is mind boggling. If they do something one day it doesn't mean they will act the same the next day. And, getting along for a few minutes during playtime does not mean they should share a cage.

At least if you have them DNA tested you will know whether two females are acting like a couple or possibly know why they are not getting along. When I read that lovebirds can be promiscuous, even though they have a bonded mate, it changed a whole lot of my assumptions about how I should expect them to behave.

I have one hen who will spread her wings for any passing male...

[bookworm0550]

sorry i couldn't write more earlier. the Itouch isn't exactly the perfect tool for responding to someone. do you have phoenix caged w/ anyone? does he snap at lulu all the time or just sometimes?

[StormyMom]

Lizzy chases after Stormy every once in a while. Are you sure that Phoenix isnt a girl?

I would think its very possible for a female to not lay eggs up to 4 years old.My moms TAG is 7 years old (DNA'd female) and has never once laid an egg. I think it depends on the individual bird. Unless lovies are different?

[Enko_chan]

Dynamics in lovebird relationships aren't necessarily linked to gender.

Are they housed together or do they only play together?

[michael]

We have had our birds DNA tested to determine males and females. So, knowing that, we observe all sorts of interactions between the various birds during flock out playtimes.

Sometimes a female is chasing a male, or two females are talking and allo-feeding, or two females are fighting... There is every combination of interaction you can imagine. Trying to figure out their communications or reasons for doing what they do sometimes is mind boggling. If they do something one day it doesn't mean they will act the same the next day. And, getting along for a few minutes during playtime does not mean they should share a cage.

At least if you have them DNA tested you will know whether two females are acting like a couple or possibly know why they are not getting along. When I read that lovebirds can be promiscuous, even though they have a bonded mate, it changed a whole lot of my assumptions about how I should expect them to behave.

I have one hen who will spread her wings for any passing male...

I think this pretty well sums it up........Also as mentioned, while it may be unusual, even at 4 years you may still get a little surprize! :omg:

[luluxoxo83]

phoenix is caged with sunny.....they all get out of cage time together!

[luluxoxo83]

Sorry bookworm I forgot to answer one of your questions. Anytime LuLu want to come any where near Phoenix he chases her away and snaps at her.

[LauraO]

I would just keep an eye on them. If they are only together during out of cage time and Phoenix isn't really attacking Lulu then they should be able to work it out. The tough part is knowing the difference between a lovie just chasing another lovie away and one that is trying to injur another bird. Frankly, all my birdy fights outside of the cage have to do with territory and hidey places, and over 90% of the time it's females fighting with one another. However, there is a bunch of posturing that goes on within the entire flock throughout the day. A birdy who just wants another bird to go away will do an attack move with the beak and body that looks like they are trying to bite the bird but the bird doesn't continue the chase once the unwanted bird goes away.

Hope this helps:)