Strange behaviour. Love or???

[mabdewn]

It's been a while, since I was here. Sitting here with an observation that I am hoping that someone could shed some light on.

 

I've had my CAG, Charlie for 2.5 years now. Poor thing was so attached to me, he would chew his feathers and generally be quite nervous. At length it was too much for me, so I bought him a female, Amanda, and their relationship has blossomed. Charlie stopped chewing his feather and has assumed the role of a "real man", which makes me happy.

Of course my relationship/connection to Charlie is not the same, as Amanda is now his numero uno. However, when I come near the cage both of them will come to greet me and do their mating dance. In conjunction with this, this is what I don't quite understand.

Charlie will do his mating dance, and he will twist and turn his head all excited, and if Amanda gets close (because she wants to greet me), he will bite her or lash at her lightly to keep her away. However, he will not let me pet his head, he will try to grab my finger and then bite, not viciously but enough to draw blood.

Is this an "overexcited" type of love? or is he just being coy and wants to bite me to keep me off his turf?

[danmcq]

This sounds like normal behavior to me. Charlie is jealous and wants t be first in the line for attention and lets you and Amanda know it by his nips and body language. Our grey will chase our conure away and has even bitten him a few times when he wanted my wife's attention first, then sometimes bites my wife for paying attention to Jake as well. Then wants some scratches afterwards.

[kins2321@yahoo.com]

You satisfied Charlie's needs! GREAT job! You should see an improvement in his behavior. Now you must let know Charlie, your expectations of him. The goal should be, to remove Charlie from the cage to play. Eventually Amanda should come out and join you. You are introducing " flock" mentality. Nancy

[mabdewn]

It's good to know that there is still a bond between me and Charlie. Though I am not happy with his biting.

 

I am having a bit of trouble with socialising them into "my flock". Charlie will come out, but he will not step up. He will stand on top of his cage, when I put my hand up to him, he will shy away, and let me know if the hand comes to close he will nip.

When Amanda comes out she will always fly to me. This in turn makes Charlie go crazy, and unfortunately Charlie can't fly still, so he does his kamikaze jump

Moreover, Amanda hates my wife with a passion, despite her attempts to give her treats to gain some favour with her, while Charlie "tolerates" her. I do tease my wife that she is like Elmyra from Looney Toons.

My wife tells me, the parrots are quiet throughout the day when I go to work, and 10 mins prior to my arrival, they will start whistling and move about restlessly in their cage.

 

I am not really sure how to integrate them. What would be the proper next step?

[danmcq]

Integrating them will basically be on their terms. Charlie is protective of what he perceives as his mate and this will continue unless at some point he just gives knowing this is how things are going to be in your home. Amanda is obviously smitten with you and that just pisses Charlie off.

 

You are right in stating that your wife is second banana and will always treat your wife like that to one degree or another. It could improve, but you will always be the favored. Only time and patience with everyone accepting their respective roles in the flock dynamics will eventually get to where it will always remain.