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Posted by Nikki on Sun, 06/20/2004 - 07:35 :: Reducing Problem Behaviors
I've had Echo CAG for 2 months and for the first week she ignored my small birds now she lunges at them. This is how it started, Bucky(tiel) who is terrified of the budgie and parrotlet was fasinated with her and kept touching her toes with her beak. It was ok with Echo at the time so I allowed Bucky to do it and that turned out to be a big mistake on my part. After a week of this Echo lunged at Bucky and now lunges at all 4 of my small birds whenever they are within 24 inches of her. Luckly they are flighted and much faster than her and have been able to get out of the way. Three of them keep their distance but Bucky because she's jealous just keeps going around her. If I move Bucky away I would be reinforcing the behavior because she's getting the attention she wants. What I have been doing is crabbing Echo in mid lunge. Ive also been giving Bucky more attention by do things with her that only she gets to do with me.

Because I work full time, they only get about 3 1/2 hours out of cage time during the week, so I don't want to limit that time by taking them out separately.

Any ideas? Is Bucky the problem or is Echo? Or both?
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Posted by Lisa Phoenix on Sun, 06/20/2004 - 10:35.
It seems to me that Echo should be allowed to establish and protect her boundaries with the little guys, especially if they can easily avoid her or get out of her way, and even moreso if Echo is not going after them but just defending her space... are you worried about this though, like maybe Bucky wouldn't move fast enough and get hurt?
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Posted by Nikki on Sun, 06/20/2004 - 14:05.
Maybe Echo wanting her space is all it is and she's learned that little birds are toe biters. She doesn't chase them, just a step or two towards them then the lunge. I could just be over re-acting because I'm scared for Bucky's life. Gosh, I hope thats all it is!!

Nikki
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted by Parrotdragon on Sun, 06/20/2004 - 14:43.
Nikki, I think you may be right. You know what it's like to have a pesky bug buzzing around, you can put up with just so much then you just gotta swat at it!
Sounds to me like Echo has had enough of those 'pesky' feathered 'bugs' that annoy her. :)

Debbi
NZ
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Posted by Nikki on Mon, 06/21/2004 - 15:46.
Thank you Lisa and Debbi for giving me a diffent perpective, after observing last nite and today I think Echo is just defending her territory. I quess my fear overwhelmed my logic.

Nikki
Phoenix, AZ
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Posted by NateW on Mon, 06/21/2004 - 22:19.
Darwin will chase Phoebe every once in a while, but it's usually only when they're close (within a couple feet) or she just happens to be on a perch that he wants. I let them out at the same time whenever I'm home and it's really not a problem. If Darwin scares Phoebe off I leave him a alone for a minute and give her a treat so she's not too traumatized by it.

The one time I've seen Darwin really chase Phoebe, from perch to perch, started when I was focusing all of my attention on Phoebe. If I divide my attention equally and don't focus on Pheobe for more than a minute or, it's not a problem.

I hope this helps...

Nate Waddoups
Redmond WA USA
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Posted by Nikki on Tue, 06/22/2004 - 16:13.
Yes it help a lot. I been letting all of them out when I get home from work, I handfeed Echo and let her stay out of about an hour, then return her to her cage for about 15 minutes. During this time I give my attention to Bucky and it seems that it's helped. Echo hasn't lunged at Bucky for 2 days. Now if I could get the that stinker Louie (budgie) to quit buzzing the tiels I've had it made. He has earned the nickname osama bin Louie.

Nikki
Phoenix, AZ
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