Darwin is getting hormonal!

[darwinparrot]

So Darwin is usually a pretty chill eclectus parrot. No biting or behavior problems. But as of the past 3 weeks he has taken up a love interest in my hands. He tries to feed them and rubs his vent on them. I have been trying to keep him in check but this usually results in attitude. Any advice for dialing back his hormones a bit? I've got two in my house right now that are hormonal. Him and the mini macaw I'm fostering.

 

[sunnysmom]

You can try increasing his hours of darkness/sleep by 2 hours for a couple weeks.

 

[darwinparrot]

I moved his cage out of the computer room in hopes that he will get a little less light at night in the bird room. I also made him a very dry chop this time so he's not eating mushy foods. He was very moody last night. When I tried to put him away for the night he tried stepping on top of his cage and when I stopped him he got really angry. He will be fine. This is our second year of hormone season. He will calm down after a month or two hopefully.

 

[EkkieLu]

I put up blackout drapes in their room. My ekki female seems to do better with the same bed time year round. Lack of sleep made her grouchy!

 

[EkkieLu]

Sergei rubs regurgitated food on my cheek a couple times a week. He likes to sit on my shoulder and watch tv before bed. If I have a bowl of popcorn and share some with him, he returns the favor. I've always heard that was his way of showing affection. He is the most gentle cuddly guy ever.