Preening around the eyes and new behaviour.

[cml]

Twice now I have caught Stitch preening Leroy around the eyes, and I mean really around them and actually on the eyelids. Leroy doesnt seem to object, his only objection is when Stitch preens his neck, I think he pulls to hard sometimes (it looks a little violent) and it makes Leroy a little scared and he then wants to get away. During theese preening sessions Ive also noticed that they tried to feed each other, or at least taste the other parrots beak, which I believe to be a good thing.

Is this normal behaviour?


Also, while they have started preening eachother, they are not as nice towards each other as they have been for the last week. Stitch now sometimes lunge for Leroy for what to me looks to be no reason at all (Leroy doesnt invade his personal space, quite the opposite). Stitch can follow Leroy around for a short time, trying to get to him.

EDIT: A little more info, Leroy never bites back, he always just try to get away. He is the sweetest bird, and has since arriving never bitten either me or my wife once. I wish he WOULD defend himself, but he is to nice to even defend himself aginst Stitch.

Most of the day though, about 90% of their time awake, they are friends though. Any ideas?

My first idea is that they have gone through 2 phases so far, the first when they decided on what was okay and what isnt. Then they have had their calm phase (like the honeymoon-phase when you get a new parrot), and are now testing each other again. Its playing out just as the first time, with Stitch being the agressive of the two.

Last time it went on for 2 days, after which Leroy told Stitch to go to hell and bit back, and since then they have been the best of buddies. They have even chosen to be with each other rather than with me ^^.

Atm they are eating calmy together being the best of friends, but about 15mins ago they had one of their little "episodes" lasting for about 5min.
Thoughts?

[cml]

Another question that popped into my mind, just how worried should I be when they bite each other? I know how it feels to me when I get bitten, but I have no idea how it is between birds.

Information we found when researching before introducing them said that it usually looks worse than it is. Whats your opinion on this?

//Fretting parot dad.


PS. I was so happy that they were really starting to like each other, even if Stitch ditched me for Leroy which he did a few times, and now I am really worried that its going downhill. Its only been 2 days of this new behaviour, but I worry! I dont want to separate them, as soon as we do they start calling for the other parrot and act nervous until they are united again or at least the same room. Depsite the aggression they really dont want to be without one and other!
DS

[liz]

Mine don't preen each other but they are getting along better. They seem to get along the best when they don't know I am with them.

I think Stitch is just trying to establish his authority over Leroy.

When mine call to each other it makes me hope that they will be friends. No one has gotten hurt. I don't think they want to hurt each other.

Feeding each other is common. Myrtle has fed Rambo but he is not willing to give in that much yet.
It is just a sign of love. Myrtle tries to feed me.

[cml]

Mine don't preen each other but they are getting along better. They seem to get along the best when they don't know I am with them.

I think Stitch is just trying to establish his authority over Leroy.

When mine call to each other it makes me hope that they will be friends. No one has gotten hurt. I don't think they want to hurt each other.

Feeding each other is common. Myrtle has fed Rambo but he is not willing to give in that much yet.
It is just a sign of love. Myrtle tries to feed me.

I think that you are spot on with the "they get along better when they dont know i am with them". If we leave them alone in their bird room/my office, everything is calm. Its when I sit at the computer I notice them quarrelling. Maybe they do it to get attention, because I dont think its jealousy on Stitch's part, Ive been making sure to let him know he's still dad's favorite!

Thanks for your reply Liz!

[laducockatiel]

I think stitch is doing it to see if Leroy is trustworthy cos it isn't comfortable, but friends do anything for each other

[cml]

Today they have been nicer again =).

I caught Leroy actually defending himself this morning and since then things are back to normal. During the day they are the best of friends again, playing together in their cage, eating together and generally beeing a bit goofy.

I think Stitch isnt sure how to behave and actually needs Leroy to tell him to piss off sometimes, otherwise he gets to cocky and annoying.

They are still a bit grumpy about going to bed though, but as with all children, thats directed at the parents and in this case that means me ^^.

[Cage Cleaner]

Ok

[cml]

Yeah I know, Ive been letting them figure it out.
Everything has calmed down again, it was just a 2 day episode of figuring out the boundries again, or maybe rearranging them a little. Now they are back to being the best of buddies, and they rarely fight. If they do, its only a quick get off me bite, and then its back to being friends.

Thank you for your insight regarding the eyelid preening!

They are not the same species, but a whitefronted amazon and a bronze winged pinous, but all opinions I was able to gather as well as my own research pointed to them being compatible, and if not it would be down to individuals not liking each other.

To my great relief and hapiness so was the case, they are best buddies and wouldnt ever want to be with out each other now ^^. But I was fretting a little when they were introduced into the same cage (after a long period of me observing their behaviour when sitting in different cages, next to each other). Everything went well though, and we are all a happier bunch for it =)!