I can feel it coming....

[metalstitcher]

I didn't know P's become so agro when the seasons start for them. Is this usual behavior for them?

 

[Maxsmom]

I didn't know P's become so agro when the seasons start for them. Is this usual behavior for them?

From everything I know, yes for this time of year!!!!!

 

[Maxsmom]

Kobe is still "fiery" on occasion, but I have found that my own reaction either makes it worse or better. I have found that he responds very well to calmness and kindness. I have arranged things so I don't have to walk directly towards him which could provoke him flying at me. I have also noticed direct eye contact (especially when walking towards him) is a no-no. If he does puff up, lunge or fly at me, I will either duck or ignore and asap diffuse the situation when I have passed with a "huh" or other words he says when he's content. His mood mostly instantly calms.

What is interesting is that we have always had a touchy feely session in the evenings when I play and wrestle with him. "Hormones" never affect this time... which proves to me that they can be overcome.

I completely agree they respect and appreciate you for treating them with kindness even when they are grumpy. It helps a lot to stay calm. They are very observant beings and they notice your response.

Great to hear from you @Fuzzy!!!

 

[metalstitcher]

I will keep that in mind when the time comes for us to add another fid to our flock.

 

[Maxsmom]

I will keep that in mind when the time comes for us to add another fid to our flock.

Don't all birds have hormonal issues? My female cockateils did...flying biting attacks on me when hormonal but my best friend all other times. For that matter humans get hormonal too. Part of life and normal. Treat hormones accordingly and move on.

 

[DQTimnehs]

I will keep that in mind when the time comes for us to add another fid to our flock.

Females are much calmer. Tiki is a sweetie and is only a bit territorial when in a nesty spot. Her hormones are more in line with looking for a nest and mate but not aggressive.

 

[Aubrey]

I completely agree they respect and appreciate you for treating them with kindness even when they are grumpy. It helps a lot to stay calm. They are very observant beings and they notice your response.

Great to hear from you @Fuzzy!!!

Kindness and respect are an absolute must! But I've also discovered that I've really got to curb my enthusiasm sometimes! If I'm super giddy and excitable or singing crazing or dancing I think it spooks Leto. He prefers me to be calm and reserved

 

[Wannabird2003]

My female BH (14yrs) occasionally does a clucking mournful noise and she will climb to her cage top playpen area and start shredding the newspaper with a vengeance until I can distract her. She never has done anything else that appears sexual in nature and she is never nippy. This goes on for a month or two and then it is back to normal.

 

[Begone]

I completely agree they respect and appreciate you for treating them with kindness even when they are grumpy. It helps a lot to stay calm. They are very observant beings and they notice your response.

Yes! I was always kind to Eloy when he was angry at me, and try to not react at all more then to go into another room and close the door.
He learn very fast that he didn't get attention and that I didn't allow him to be with me if he was aggressive. And it did work.
5-10 minutes on his own, and after that he was kind again.

Females are much calmer. Tiki is a sweetie and is only a bit territorial when in a nesty spot. Her hormones are more in line with looking for a nest and mate but not aggressive.

My female BH (14yrs) occasionally does a clucking mournful noise and she will climb to her cage top playpen area and start shredding the newspaper with a vengeance until I can distract her. She never has done anything else that appears sexual in nature and she is never nippy. This goes on for a month or two and then it is back to normal.

Thanks for posting information about females.
I don't know what to expect so all information really helps.
How long have you had your females?

 

[Maxsmom]

Kindness and respect are an absolute must! But I've also discovered that I've really got to curb my enthusiasm sometimes! If I'm super giddy and excitable or singing crazing or dancing I think it spooks Leto. He prefers me to be calm and reserved

I agree. I stay calm. When I am not and excitedly chatting with them my two look me like I am crazy. The balanced response to their behaviour garners their respect and a wonderful mutual relationship

 

[Wannabird2003]

I have had my female for all 14 yrs. She is my only bird and she is very bonded to me. She does not like other people. When anyone comes over, she hides in the pup tent in her cage and will not come out. She talks to me, but not in front of anyone else. I have tried to socialize her, but she has no part of that. So I have learned to respect her wishes. Her one fault is that sometimes when I leave the room and she can't see me, she will sometimes start calling for me and if I don't come to her beck and call, she will start screaming this very loud tweet, tweet, tweet.... I have tried everything to make her stop- ignore it, yell at her, whatever and nothing so far has stopped the behavior. Luckily it doesn't happen every day. If I could break that, she would be the perfect bird.

 

[zoo mom]

Kindness and respect are an absolute must! But I've also discovered that I've really got to curb my enthusiasm sometimes! If I'm super giddy and excitable or singing crazing or dancing I think it spooks Leto. He prefers me to be calm and reserved

I agree. I stay calm. When I am not and excitedly chatting with them my two look me like I am crazy. The balanced response to their behaviour garners their respect and a wonderful mutual relationship

Maybe that is why all my birds are generally mellow even during hormonal times. One of my coworkers once told me that if I was any more laid back, I would be comatose. This was following a horrible 1st half of a shift when I worked ER.

 

[metalstitcher]

Gracie is using my lunch pail for her nesting area and it doesn't matter that I need it for work. So yeah the season is coming in my house. I think I need more shredables right about now like a phone book or something of that nature. She is becoming more aggressive towards my husband and lunged at him but gave me kisses so yeah batten down the hatches.

 

[Aubrey]

Maybe that is why all my birds are generally mellow even during hormonal times. One of my coworkers once told me that if I was any more laid back, I would be comatose. This was following a horrible 1st half of a shift when I worked ER.

Lol! I'm glad you're not comatose But I'm sure your mellowness is a well appreciated trait (in many ways)

 

[Maxsmom]

Maybe that is why all my birds are generally mellow even during hormonal times. One of my coworkers once told me that if I was any more laid back, I would be comatose. This was following a horrible 1st half of a shift when I worked ER.

Wish that were enough to make Max mellow in hormonal times and for Charlie never to scream

 

[Maxsmom]

I have had my female for all 14 yrs. She is my only bird and she is very bonded to me. She does not like other people. When anyone comes over, she hides in the pup tent in her cage and will not come out. She talks to me, but not in front of anyone else. I have tried to socialize her, but she has no part of that. So I have learned to respect her wishes. Her one fault is that sometimes when I leave the room and she can't see me, she will sometimes start calling for me and if I don't come to her beck and call, she will start screaming this very loud tweet, tweet, tweet.... I have tried everything to make her stop- ignore it, yell at her, whatever and nothing so far has stopped the behavior. Luckily it doesn't happen every day. If I could break that, she would be the perfect bird.

Sounds beyond lovely. Hugs

 

[Maxsmom]

On average from this thread it sounds like the female reaction to hormonal surges in pionus is a bit easier, less aggressive, some nesting, some loud mating noise

Any egg binding or laying issues with females?

 

[DQTimnehs]

Thanks for posting information about females.
I don't know what to expect so all information really helps.
How long have you had your females?

I have had Tiki 4.5 years and she was estimated to be about 9 or 10 at that time so about 15 now.

On average from this thread it sounds like the female reaction to hormonal surges in pionus is a bit easier, less aggressive, some nesting, some loud mating noise

Any egg binding or laying issues with females?

Tiki laid at least 1 egg before I got her but hasn't laid any since. They get about 11 hours of quiet darkness (with night lights) on work days and 13 hrs on weekends and holidays. I find this really helps reduce the nestiness. Quack (TAG) was shredding pretty much ALL of the paper in her cage every day before I moved them to a room with darker curtains. She still shreds but (*knock on wood*) none of my girls have laid any eggs since I've had them.

 

[Wannabird2003]

No egg action here. I also will scratch her head and neck as much as she wants, but don't pet her body as I was informed that it could arouse her into sexual behavior. She displays none. She likes her sleep. She demands to be covered when it gets dark (currently 6:30) and doesn't get uncovered until I wake up around 8 or 9am. She is absolutely quiet in her cage. So she gets around 14 hours of sleep. Her cage is located in the living room so she does have the first 5 hours where the tv is on.

 

[camelotshadow]

How is Loki been doing?

So male pionus can have grouchy tempermental hormonal aggression?

Females are more even tempered?

I guess that would make me lean towards a female but then again I'd rather not have egg issues.

F pionus can certainly lay eggs but from the few I've read about it seems they are not abundant/chronic layers.

Still a male can never lay an egg but would have to deal with months of hormonal distance/ aggression....