Bully Bird

[Cariloo]

I've written about this before. I have 2 budgies: Charlie, male, 1 year old; and Pipik, famale, 9 months old. When I purchased Pipik, as company for Charlie, I wanted another male, but inadvertently selected a female because the lighting was poor. When Pipik was a baby, the connection between the 2 birds was awesome. But as she matured, she became an outright bully. Whatever Charlie is doing, whether it's eating, playing with a toy, or just sitting on the window perch, she is pecking at him to get out of the way. I have separate food and water dishes, and even started buying 2 of the same toy; her behavior hasn't changed. With 2 of the same toy, she runs back and forth between both, just so she has dominance over everything. Pipik 's bullying is worse in the morning when I first let them out. (They are free flying all day) The bullying subsides in about 3 hours and by suppertime, she becomes sort of mellow; she comfortability sits close to him and listens to mumbling. They don't groom each other anymore either Pipik always gives him a peck or threatens to do so if he comes near. At bedtime, she has to be in the cage first, immediately occupying the largest swing.

I want to separate them during the night and then keep Pipik in the cage for the morning, So, Charlie can enjoy his time out of the cage on his own. But it was very difficult to "trap" Pipik alone in the second cage. (I've set up the smaller, second stage as another play station in the room.)

I'm worried about Charlie. He's a sweet bird, much friendlier, and more easily trainable which Pipik interfers with. However, she rarely, actually nips at Charley, I've only caught her nipping at his feet twice. Usually, she's just threatening.

Also, I was thinking of finding a new home for Pipik. I'm not sure if they're bonded. As I said, they don't ever groom each other anymore. Perhaps they would both be happier if permanently separated.

I'm very distressed. I'm 82 years old, I'm home all day with the birds in the livingroom and don't want to watch this going on indefinitely.

What do you think?

 

[Rebel]

Also, I was thinking of finding a new home for Pipik. I'm not sure if they're bonded. As I said, they don't ever groom each other anymore. Perhaps they would both be happier if permanently separated.

I have a bonded male and female that are caged separately because of mating reasons. They have had 2 sets of babies together that they raised.
I let them out of their cages every evening to be together. They dont preen each other either. She nips at his feet on occasion and lets him know whos the boss. Even though they appear not bonded, they very much are. They have to be in seeing distance of each other at all times or she’ll just keep peeping non stop.

 

[Cariloo]

I have a bonded male and female that are caged separately because of mating reasons. They have had 2 sets of babies together that they raised.
I let them out of their cages every evening to be together. They dont preen each other either. She nips at his feet on occasion and lets him know whos the boss. Even though they appear not bonded, they very much are. They have to be in seeing distance of each other at all times or she’ll just keep peeping non stop.

Luckily, my pair haven't mated. When you describe your bonded pair, it sounds like mine; so I guess they are bonded too. I just feel so badly for Charlie; he really is "hen pecked". I must admit, that I also feel badly for myself. Pipik is so skittish, she prevents my bonding with either one. I can see Charlie would be easy to train, as he comes when I call him for a treat. But as soon as Pipik sees him fly to me, she busts in. After reading a few other posts, I can see that I will need to buy another, identical cage, so they both can have identical cages for sleeping.

 

[Rebel]

Luckily, my pair haven't mated. When you describe your bonded pair, it sounds like mine; so I guess they are bonded too. I just feel so badly for Charlie; he really is "hen pecked". I must admit, that I also feel badly for myself. Pipik is so skittish, she prevents my bonding with either one. I can see Charlie would be easy to train, as he comes when I call him for a treat. But as soon as Pipik sees him fly to me, she busts in. After reading a few other posts, I can see that I will need to buy another, identical cage, so they both can have identical cages for sleeping.

My boy (Pip) is severely henpecked too. Like you i sometimes feel sorry for him. He sings to her while she eats only to get run off. If hes sitting somewhere she wants to be , he’ll get chased off. He doesn’t seem to mind. He really loves her.
Now if my girl (B) comes to me for a head scratch or whatnot and Pip sees her he’ll come over because hes an attention hog. He wont get mad at her, he gets mad at me.
But anyhow im glad you decided not to rehome Pipik. I was afraid you might have been misunderstanding their bond.

 

[NEVRM0RE_]

I've written about this before. I have 2 budgies: Charlie, male, 1 year old; and Pipik, famale, 9 months old. When I purchased Pipik, as company for Charlie, I wanted another male, but inadvertently selected a female because the lighting was poor. When Pipik was a baby, the connection between the 2 birds was awesome. But as she matured, she became an outright bully. Whatever Charlie is doing, whether it's eating, playing with a toy, or just sitting on the window perch, she is pecking at him to get out of the way. I have separate food and water dishes, and even started buying 2 of the same toy; her behavior hasn't changed. With 2 of the same toy, she runs back and forth between both, just so she has dominance over everything. Pipik 's bullying is worse in the morning when I first let them out. (They are free flying all day) The bullying subsides in about 3 hours and by suppertime, she becomes sort of mellow; she comfortability sits close to him and listens to mumbling. They don't groom each other anymore either Pipik always gives him a peck or threatens to do so if he comes near. At bedtime, she has to be in the cage first, immediately occupying the largest swing.

I want to separate them during the night and then keep Pipik in the cage for the morning, So, Charlie can enjoy his time out of the cage on his own. But it was very difficult to "trap" Pipik alone in the second cage. (I've set up the smaller, second stage as another play station in the room.)

I'm worried about Charlie. He's a sweet bird, much friendlier, and more easily trainable which Pipik interfers with. However, she rarely, actually nips at Charley, I've only caught her nipping at his feet twice. Usually, she's just threatening.

Also, I was thinking of finding a new home for Pipik. I'm not sure if they're bonded. As I said, they don't ever groom each other anymore. Perhaps they would both be happier if permanently separated.

I'm very distressed. I'm 82 years old, I'm home all day with the birds in the livingroom and don't want to watch this going on indefinitely.

What do you think?

Your Pipik sounds like quite the character!
In my experience female budgies are generally more assertive and MAYBE....a little bit bullies. My gentlemen was...the gentlest sweetest boy, but his partner is.... a force to be reckoned with. They weren't always super affectionate with each other, that sort of cycled but they did deeply care for each other even when the misses was extra spicy. I would try the 2nd cage first for sure! You might be surprised how bonded they are!!

 

[Finchbreed]

The degree of affection displayed will correspond with the hormone cycle.
Feeling frisky? Love you lots. Not feeling frisky? Still love you, just don;t feel inclined.
Female budgies can be sweet, it's just no where near as common as sweet boy Budgies are.

 

[Cariloo]

The degree of affection displayed will correspond with the hormone cycle.
Feeling frisky? Love you lots. Not feeling frisky? Still love you, just don;t feel inclined.
Female budgies can be sweet, it's just no where near as common as sweet boy Budgies are.

I guess that's true. My experience with budgies was only with single, male budgies. They were all very sweet and so easy to train. When I think back, I don't even remember having to train them; once they would hop on my finger, they were ready to fly out of the cage. So, the behavior of this female has been a complete shock to me.
Thank you for helping me understand the male-female dynamics. However, even though I now understand, it still doesn't make it easy watching her treatment of him. And because of this bossiness, I've also found it difficult to warm up to her. She seems to be hormonal all the time.

 

[Finchbreed]

My mother has over 100 Budgies - and as I talk to others, I realise that it is almost always the boys in the breeding stud that get friendly and names.