Problem's with my new love bird

[NJSmit]

So I have a cockatiel for years but he never really trusted me. He does trust me when i feed him stuff but he would never sit on my finger or let me get near otherwise with my hands. He was always alone for years after my other cockatiel died (they never really got along either but that one was a tame one). So we thought it might be a good idea to get another bird. We both wanted something else so after some research about what can get along with a cockatiel and we came across with an agapornis.

So we have him for almost a week now. At first he started getting close to my cockatiel out of curiosity i presumed, but from the beginning my cockatiel started blowing and biting to my agapornis. This process repeated it self a few times. We thought they might like eachother after a while but now it doesn't look like curiosity anymore, it now seems like my agapornis is hunting my cockatiel. He knows he doesn't like him but keeps getting close and starting a fight, until my cockatiel retreats.

Getting my cockatiel in the cage was never a problem but since a love bird entered his domain it's almost impossible to get him back in.

This new bird is so curios and energetic I really started to like him and don't want to bring him back to the store but if this goes on I don't have much of a choice. Does anyone have any idea of what i can do.
Sorry if my english is bad, it's not my first language.

 

[Sylvester]

I think it is all a matter of time regarding those two.

Do not put the cockatiel in a position where he has to defend himself, keep the two separated at all times. If you take your love bird out to play, and explore, make sure it is not in the same room that houses your cockatiel.

From everything that I have heard about lovebirds, seems to suggest that they are a very pugnacious bird. How they got 'love' into their name, is beyond me.

They may never like one another, and that's okay, just make sure that they don't get into any kind of fight.

 

[Zara]

so after some research about what can get along with a cockatiel and we came across with an agapornis

Lovebirds don´t really get on with any other species other than their own. They are notorious for biting toes off of and even killing other lovebirds, budgies and cockatiels. I´m not sure what research you saw that suggested they will be a good match.

it now seems like my agapornis is hunting my cockatiel.

You see?

He knows he doesn't like him but keeps getting close and starting a fight

Typical of lovebirds.

Getting my cockatiel in the cage was never a problem but since a love bird entered his domain it's almost impossible to get him back in.

He is most probably stressed. Best put the birds into different rooms or far apart. Does your cockatiel have a big amplious cage with toys etc? A small cage with few toys is not enticing enought to make your bird want to return to it. I have a hen that is not ¨tame¨, but I have never had a problem getting her back in her cage. I always reward her once she goes in. It is important to let the bird out for a good amount of time too, for eg 15 mins is not enough. A good couple of hours is a good time.
Try this, (not first thing in the morning) remove the food bowl (leave the water available), open the birds cage. Let him fly for an hour. Then replace the food bowl. (If your bird is out longer, say 4 hours, then remove the food for the last hour) Your bird will eventually go to eat, once inside, say a cue (maybe ¨bedtime¨) and reward him with something other than his usual food, maybe millet or a small piece of almond or fruit. Eventually you won´t need to remove the food bowl. Just by saying ¨bedtime¨ or the cue you have chosen, the bird will hop in the cage and wait for the treat.

This new bird is so curios and energetic I really started to like him and don't want to bring him back to the store but if this goes on I don't have much of a choice.

I hope you don´t have to rehome the bird, but if you cannot commit to the birds needs then it is best he goes with someone who can.
These two birds should not be housed near each other nor have the same out of cage time. They will have to be allowed out to fly separate. When one bird is out of their cage, do NOT let them and on each others cages.
Those two birds will 99% likely never be friends.

Sorry if my english is bad, it's not my first language.

Your English is very good
Welcome to the forum.

 

[Leih]

I've heard of a few instances of lovebirds being friends with other species, but it's best to assume they won't until proven otherwise. Also, you need to do a slow introduction rather than just stick them in the same room with each other. I'm bringing home a conure this weekend and he will be staying in my bedroom for a few weeks while he acclimates and I will introduce him to my other birds slowly and make sure to positive reinforce with my lovebird especially. Still, no guarantees, but at least I know I'm not forcing them together.

 

[Zara]

I've heard of a few instances of lovebirds being friends with other species

@DoubleTake s bird Loki socialises with other species, but it´s not common. Maybe you could ask him for some tips to help you introduce Aoife with your new conure?

 

[Leih]

@DoubleTake s bird Loki socialises with other species, but it´s not common. Maybe you could ask him for some tips to help you introduce Aoife with your new conure? That's a great idea! He has said that his suns hate her, but that's two against one.

 

[NJSmit]

Thanks for the advise, I'm going to separate them until i know a better solution. We are already thinking of giving our cockatiel away to a friend. So we can focus on the new one. Or perhaps i put him in a new cage in my room.

 

[DoubleTake]

@DoubleTake s bird Loki socialises with other species, but it´s not common. Maybe you could ask him for some tips to help you introduce Aoife with your new conure?

They only thing I've been constantly doing is taking her to the exotic bird store I volunteer at on the weekends. She doesn't interact with customer birds unless I know the owners. But she does interact with a lot of the babies they have there that I know are "clean". Her favorite thing is to watch birds get their beaks and nails done, she's a sadist. She likes baby cockatiels but if there is a cockatiel in the house, she won't like it if it is within 2 feet of her. Since she learned to do "kiss kiss" she will say it when she wants to interact with a bird. I'd like to say I had an influence on her but I think Loki is just a social butterfly. But I think lots of visits to the bird store helped. Even my boys are good around other birds. The important thing to note is that not all pet stores are safe and you choose to try this, you need to know if the birds are "clean".

On a separate note. My friend that has Penelope, Loki's proclaimed lesbian girlfriend, she has a cockatiel and although they do not share a cage. They are civil with each other and can be in the same travel cage. Penelope being female, she will sometimes bully the cockatiel for just because. If I remember correctly, their introduction was a slow process that took months of just being in the same room.

 

[Leih]

That's what I was planning. Eventually I'll bring Galahad, the conure, into the bird room, probably while in a cage, let them see each other from afar, then eventually progress to either Aoife or Galahad being out and with me in front of the other, while giving Aoife especially a fantastic treat. Alternate this for a long time. Taking Aoife to the parrot shop is a good idea, which I've definitely considered just haven't done it yet.

 

[Zara]

We are already thinking of giving our cockatiel away to a friend.

I´m a little saddened that you had this bird for years, and after getting a new bird a week ago, the older bird is given away. Like the older dog who is given away when a puppy id brought home.
I can only hope he goes to a good home where he will be loved and included in the family.

Her favorite thing is to watch birds get their beaks and nails done, she's a sadist

hehe, yes but a cute sadist

Aoife or Galahad

Please forgive my lack of knowledge should these be from a VG or television, but where do you find these names? They are very unusual. I like them a lot!

 

[DoubleTake]

That's what I was planning. Eventually I'll bring Galahad, the conure, into the bird room, probably while in a cage, let them see each other from afar, then eventually progress to either Aoife or Galahad being out and with me in front of the other, while giving Aoife especially a fantastic treat. Alternate this for a long time. Taking Aoife to the parrot shop is a good idea, which I've definitely considered just haven't done it yet.

Just to reiterate what I said earlier, just make sure you trust the bird store and the people's bird you potentially let them interact with. I would say more than not, people don't test their birds for diseases. Even though their bird is completely fine, they can be a carrier or have something that does not affect that species in a fatal way. I've been taking my boys to the same store for 3-4 years and Loki since I've gotten her but am still cautious with them being around customer birds I do not know.

 

[Leih]

PS @DoubleTake I taught Aoife "kiss

I´m a little saddened that you had this bird for years, and after getting a new bird a week ago, the older bird is given away. Like the older dog who is given away when a puppy id brought home.
I can only hope he goes to a good home where he will be loved and included in the family.

I was thinking the same thing. It seems that most birds can learn to interact more if their humans teach them with patience.


Please forgive my lack of knowledge should these be from a VG or television, but where do you find these names? They are very unusual. I like them a lot!

Yeah I'm a weirdo! Mainly just a history nerd. Aoife is just an Irish name that struck me as her name right after I met her. Galahad is from Arthurian legend and the nights of the round table. My cats are Percival and Matilda, Percival being Arthurian. My linnies, Caspar and Emrys, I just like Caspar, and Emrys is another name for Merlin, more King Arthur stuff. Plus I just like old names. Sound the alarm I'm a huge nerd!

 

[Leih]

I didn't post that right, I meant to reply to Zara also that I'm sad about the cockateil and that from what I've seen most birds can learn to be more interactive, if their humans are willing to put forth the work and be patient.

 

[Zara]

Aoife is just an Irish name that struck me as her name right after I met her. Galahad is from Arthurian legend and the nights of the round table. My cats are Percival and Matilda, Percival being Arthurian. My linnies, Caspar and Emrys, I just like Caspar, and Emrys is another name for Merlin, more King Arthur stuff. Plus I just like old names.

Very cool. I love them all.
I tried to give my birds unique(ish) names for birds.. Sydney is the least unique. I know other members on the forum have birds called Syndey. I don´t think there are other members with birds that have the same names as my others... (maybe there are but they are inactive)

 

[Leih]

Very cool. I love them all.
I tried to give my birds unique(ish) names for birds.. Sydney is the least unique. I know other members on the forum have birds called Syndey. I don´t think there are other members with birds that have the same names as my others... (maybe there are but they are inactive)

I really like Aldora, and she's soooo pretty it fits. I met a girl and her baby sun conure over the weekend and she named him Mango. Probably the #1 name for a sun hahaha When they ask my conure's name people look confused!

 

[Zara]

Probably the #1 name for a sun

I think it is also number 1 for green lovebirds too
Nothing wrong with that, but it is not for me.
Aldora and Adelie took me the longest to name.


Sorry for derailing the thread a little there.

 

[DoubleTake]

Very cool. I love them all.
I tried to give my birds unique(ish) names for birds.. Sydney is the least unique. I know other members on the forum have birds called Syndey. I don´t think there are other members with birds that have the same names as my others... (maybe there are but they are inactive)

I have rarely met a bird named Loki but since I did. Seems every bird is named Loki

 

[DoubleTake]

I really like Aldora, and she's soooo pretty it fits. I met a girl and her baby sun conure over the weekend and she named him Mango. Probably the #1 name for a sun hahaha When they ask my conure's name people look confused!

Mango, sunny and skittles

 

[Leih]

I have rarely met a bird named Loki but since I did. Seems every bird is named Loki

Loki is popular right now because he's the Norse trickster god and vikings are popular right now. Skittles..... Ugh!

 

[tka]

Loki is popular right now because he's the Norse trickster god and vikings are popular right now. Skittles..... Ugh!

Also a character in the Avengers movies.