Grumpy Bird

[Wheeliegirl]

Peachie is about 2 years old now, I figure. The last couple of weeks she has been a real handful to deal with. She does her chirpy-snappy-nippy-beak thing to just about everything, including lately, my arm. It's a quick movement that isn't really a bite, but quite threatening. She does this a lot to things she can see her reflection in and other things she seems not to like (I guess that means she doesn't like me).

She's never been a sweet cuddly kind of birdie, but we did used to at least enjoy playing and she'd come to me and sit in my lap or on my shoulder. Now she has nipped me twice on my neck, so I won't let her sit on my shoulder anymore.

What's happening with her? Do you suppose she is having a hormonal episode? If she is, how long do these last? She seems to really hate being around me, and when out of her cage would rather run away and hide somewhere than share a treat or plate of food with me, or look at birdie pics and videos like she used to.

She also seems tired more often, she seems to want her happy hut earlier than than normal. In the evenings it seems as if all she wants to do is go to bed and seems so relieved when I put it back in her cage.

The other night she got really agitated and once again bit me SEVERAL times on my stomach. Again, I can't feel pain the same way that most of you can, but my body reacts violently to this, almost tipping backwards in my wheelchair, so she's getting the reaction she wants, even though I try not to give it to her. Anyway, all this frightens both of us and we end up going to our corners to sulk, she back in her cage and me not speaking to her for the rest of the evening, hoping the next morning will be better, but lately it seldom is.

What can I do to repair our relationship? It feels like I have a pre-teen rebelious birdie. We need fid therapy.

[graushill]

Hi Holly,

It does sound like you could be dealing with a hormonal and, from what you say about Peachie wanting to spend more time in her happy hut, possibly nesty hen. Spring is a typically a time where hormones just seem to come into overdrive :).

Nesty hens will often look for a dark, enclosed spot to try to build a nest. And then they become shredding machines and will chew up anything they can to make a nest. Some things you could try to distract Peachie would include changing the cage location and the toys and general arrangement of the cage often, offering the cozy hut only at nights and taking it out first thing in the morning, and keeping any shreddables out of sight. If she's really determined then it's not easy to change her mind. As for how long a hormonal period might last, I'm really not sure. My birds seem to be hormonal all year long :roll: . It seems that older lovies are calmer in that respect but none of my mine seem to be there yet (my oldest lovie is about six years old) .

I did want to mention though that sometimes general listlessness can also be a sign that a bird is not feeling well. I'm not sure how long ago you took Peachie to the vet, but if it's been some time since her last check up, a visit to the vet could be in order :).

I'm sure others will give you more ideas about what to do to repair your relation to Peachie. My lovies are not that attached to me, so when my hen is nesty, I do see her less, but I don't really get bitten more than usual.

Good luck!
Gloria

[michael]

I don't know much about nesty hens but I do feel for you. I doubt that she decided she doesn't like you. Most, if not all animals don't hold a grudge like humans do, they react out of fear, distrust, or they're just not sure of something. The possibility exists also that she just doesn't feel good or may not be getting the proper rest. It kind of sounds like she's got a lot going on whether your around or not and this may just be part of it. If you can't spend time with her because she's nippy then I would at least stay close and keep an eye on her even if you are separated by bars. I'm sure its temporary. Sounds like a vet visit might be a good option plus a lot of members here know a lot more than we do about female lovebirds so hopefully you'll get a lot more advice. I hope things get fiqured for you and maybe give peaches a shot of millet or some kind of treat she really likes. Take care....Michael N' Goofy

[Buy A Paper Doll]

Hi Holly!

Aw, I'm sorry Peachie is being so nesty - oops, nasty. I think you're right, it's just hormones and this, too, will pass.

I can relate as my Melody is currently darned near impossible to be around right now. All she wants to do is burrow and nest, and if I try to stop her, she gets angry and bites.

Hang in there!

[BarbieH]

Hi Holly;

How do those nippy birds always manage to find such tender areas? :confused: I hate it when they do that!

You mentioned that you took Peachie out at night. I've noticed that most of my birds are grumpy when they are tired. You might have better luck, for now anyway, taking Peachie out with you as early as possible.

Best wishes,

[Wheeliegirl]

Oh thank you for your words of wisdom! So many good thoughts and ideas. You know, now that I think about it, I have been working late a lot, so sometimes I can't take her out until 7 or even later in the evening. She's so excited when I come home (I can hear her calls before I even get to my front door!) that I can't deny her her out of cage time in the evenings, after being "couped" up all day long in her huge luxurious cage.

Maybe my late working hours are too late for her, and I should just give her her happy hut and let her be.

When I let her out, she does run for all of her favorite hiding spots, and will shred anything she can sink her beak into, including my clothes, the cat's tail and stuff in the trash can. I swear, she's as bad as a toddler when it comes to keeping her away from things she should get into!

She's not a clingy bird, so keeping her near me is really difficult. She's not a big fan of toys when she is out of her cage, but would rather find dark spots to play and hide. She found some holes underneath my kitchen cabinets, and I have had to come up with ways to block them so she can't climb up into them for fear of getting stuck or trapped behind the cabinets or appliances. Again, she LOVES my kitchen drawers, but lately I've been trying to keep her from playing in there because it just makes her behave more naughty if I let her. She runs around my counter-top just waiting for any chance she can get to climb into the drawer if I go for a fork or knife or something. I have to scoop her up, hold her at an arms length away, and then get whatever it is I need from the drawer. Another favorite spot is behind the couch cushions.

Last night while at my computer I could SEE her thinking and trying to figure out how she could get to the top of my computer and into the little cubby holes up there. Once again I was amazed at her thought process and how intelligent these little birds are as she attempted to climb on things that would get her a little closer to her goal.

I guess I just have to come up with ways to keep her from going into these places she may get better with time. She seems to be almost obsessive-compulsive about wanting to find these places!

I'll keep trying to come up with ways to keep her out of the dark spaces and niches of my apartment, and wear ear plugs too. I'll switch her bedtime to 7 PM instead of 8 and see if that helps too.

Thanks for all the advice. :clap: