Does puberty change things forever?

[entrancedbymyGCC]

Scooter seems to clearly be in his first "spring" of full maturity. He's begun molting again (I hope he does it normally this time, it seems like he'd only just finally stopped being in a continuous stage of molt) and he is expressing more tendency towards territoriality. He's still totally good with me and generally wants to come out of the cage, although there are times he clearly prefers not to, and I've been respecting that by not asking at that time. He is, however, displaying aggression towards my husband when I am around. He totally telegraphs it, fluffs up like a pinecone when he sees him, and I know he's loaded for bear. I have received a few displacement bites when my husband has suddenly appeared around a corner. However, Scooter isn't displaying overt sexual behavior towards me. He does not regurgitate or attempt to shag me or anything like that -- It seems more that I'm a territory he is defending. My husband, in addition, reports that Scooter is OK with him when I am not around.

I have read that "everything changes" when a bird reaches is this stage, and I've read anecdotes where birds have become so hormone driven that they had to be placed as breeders. What I'm wondering is -- did your relationship with your little buddy change permanently when he or she reached maturity? Is it true that a bird is never "the same" again? I'm guessing these are overstatements of the situation. At least I am hoping they are. Scooter still seems like Scooter, he's just Scooter with a 'tude. But I'm wondering what everyone's experience has been.

[Michael]

Kili is still in the tail end of this puberty stage so I cannot speak with certainty, however, I can say what I've observed thus far. Going into it, things changed a lot. However, with continued training, socialization, and interaction we've been able to overcome it and she's as good as ever. So far it seems like things have gotten better since the worst of it.

I think the puberty stage changes the parrot (possibly more aggressive or more fearful, all depends) and this scares the owners away. If the owner does not continue to be an important part of the parrot's life through daily activity and training, then the parrot will lock into that independence and be more reluctant to shed it. Yet if you work through the aggression and other problems, you can shape a brighter future together.

[Mona]

Parrots mature. That can make them easier to work with in many ways (because they also have more self confidence and are more predictable) and it also means that they develop the inclinations and habits of adults.

As far as aggression goes, I think the biggest factor for increased aggression is isolation. An animal that lives in a flock (even if it is a human flock) and has autonomy will tend to be less aggressive. I'm not on top of the research but did read a paper recently that supported the point that isolation (surprise!) increases aggression in most animals. (and people)

As a bird matures, I think you want to develop some empathy for their natural drives. First, they have a drive to nest. Some species look for high, isolated species. Some species like to demolish boxes. That drive for nesting does NOT mean increased aggression, but it does mean that the birds have a natural tendency and desire to find and defend a nesting area. I find that my hens are actually MORE affectionate when they find a place they like because they see me as part of their flock....so when they find a nesting area, they tend to give me "come hither" looks, wanting me to join them (of course, I can't) and they are more than willing to comply with my training.

My strategy for keeping aggression to a minimum is to allow the animal "structured nesting time". In other words, they get an hour a day to "play house". I don't want them to become entrenched in the nest. If they become entrenched, they will be like a "hormonal teenager" and can become territorial and irrational. So...."playing house" is good and beneficial......"Entrenched to the point that it triggers egg laying - not good (unless you want to breed). The nesting spot should NOT be in their cage. You need to be able to remove them from the nesting area.

Second, you want to watch that you are not creating "sexual triggers". Dr. Speers once gave a wonderful discussion to my bird club about "sex and the single parrot". He made the point that you don't want the bird to believe that you can "do more for them" than you really can. Avoid petting a bird in the erogenous zones which can include the back. If you see your bird getting too solicitious, (head low, wings out, panting) just STOP. You are not their "mate" and you don't want to be perceived that way. You are their "friend", their "companion", their "flockmate" and that's what you want them to perceive. That is something entirely in your control.

Other than that, my birds are all over the age of 9 years old and every single one of them is a delightful and incredible companion. Of course, they are independent and sometimes, they are hard-headed and sometimes, they can be a bit aggressive - but that is part of who and what they are....and if you raise them and know them, you learn to take these little "moods" with a grain of salt. If you work to modify problem behavior - mostly by getting ahead of it - your parrots will mature into interesting, dynamic and amazing companions. I enjoy all five of mine every single day.

Yes, they have moods but change is inevitable and change is good. Thanks!

Mona

[Kathleen]

Considering that Kili flew at my face and attacked my face just a few days ago trying to put food in her cage, I'm pretty sure that she's not as good as ever.

[lzver]

Great question enhanced because I'm faced with a very hormonal Red Belly right now.

Thanks for your responses Michael and Mona.

Lucy is far beyond the puberty stage now that she is almost 6 years old, but she is more hormonal this year than any other year. She has one toy in her cage that she cuddles into and starts doing the skirt dance to. When I'm around I try to distract her and give her something more productive to do like shredding or chewing wood ... Its hard to keep up with her lately

So I've been wondering if I should remove the toy that she is cuddling into and doing the skirt dance to or just keep her distracted? Like Mona said, should I let her do this for a period of time and allow her to practice the natural instinct or distract her as soon as possible?

Aside from the increase in hormones she's not displaying any real aggression. She's actually been more of a suck than usual.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

My strategy for keeping aggression to a minimum is to allow the animal "structured nesting time". In other words, they get an hour a day to "play house". I don't want them to become entrenched in the nest. If they become entrenched, they will be like a "hormonal teenager" and can become territorial and irrational. So...."playing house" is good and beneficial......"Entrenched to the point that it triggers egg laying - not good (unless you want to breed). The nesting spot should NOT be in their cage. You need to be able to remove them from the nesting area.

Thanks Mona! I found this idea fascinating and timely. Scooter has been "playing house" when he's on his playtop by burrowing under the paper and making a cave. He'll actually fold the paper so there's a little void in there. He gets quite defensive of it, but he WILL let me pick him up when he's come out if i insist upon it. I was wondering if this was a bad thing, but was reluctant to stop him because he seems to get a lot of enjoyment out of the process. So far he has not "solicited" me at all, but he is expressing a stronger preference for me over my husband than previously.

Is there a sign as clear as egg-laying that a male is getting carried away?

[patdbunny]

He'll try to rub his private parts on you. . . I've heard they can complete "the act" on you, but I've never witnessed it. A prior tiel I had - he was constantly rubbing himself on everything.

[entrancedbymyGCC]

He'll try to rub his private parts on you. . . I've heard they can complete "the act" on you, but I've never witnessed it. A prior tiel I had - he was constantly rubbing himself on everything.

OK, that I knew about. Scotty has tried it once, he's more overt in the nature of his admiration of me than Scooter is. Is there anything they do NOT directly associated with interaction that is akin to egg-laying?

[chantal1955]

Well it is spring time in the Rockies....both my Sennies(3yr old male and an unsexed sennie... female I believe and they dislike each other) are now screaming for attention when I leave the room...attack each other or the poor dog whenever he dares cross in front of the cages, and yes we are regurgitating for mommy and nipping(not to bad...but enough to draw a pin prick drop of blood) and skirting....Lord I hate longer sunnier days.......lol....but I love them and all in all they are well behaved ...Enjoy the readings....

Cheers
Chantal
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Pippa

[sherillynn]

@ Mona-

I really like your idea of the structured nesting times. That intrigues me. I have a 31 year old Blue and Gold macaw that tries to nest periodically throughout the year and I have always discourgaed it but I may go ahead and let her find a spot to play house. I'd be interested in hearing how this has worked for other folks from our group.

Sherill