HELP NEEDED in Canada!

[Kiwi!]

Hello everyone!

We are a 1 bird family. We have a 12 month old green cheek conure named Kiwi! (sorry, I couldn't resist that adorable smilie!) Kiwi dances and says his name and we love him to pieces!

Kiwi was a happy bird and I a happy owner up until a month ago. I bought "him" when he was 3 months old at which point I was told he was probably a male. The breeder determined this by feeling his tummy, his pelvis I'm assuming?

Long story short, sexual maturity rears it's ugly head and I now have a loud, irritable, randy, FEMALE green cheek. What do I do? I wanted a male so I could have a nice, pet bird. I'm not interested in breeding Kiwi. I just want my buddy back! More importantly, I want my bird to be happy and healthy! He/she seems to have 1 thing on the brain now and as a human I obviously can't fill that need! Of course I may be wrong, it may not be a female. All I know is when I pet him (or her!) down the back like I always have he crouches down with his tail in the air and wings slightly open making clucking noises. I'd rather provide my bird with a mate than rehome him/her to a breeder but is this really my only option for making Kiwi happy? Do I need another bird?

ANY and ALL opinions will be appreciated!

Thanks from Holly & Kiwi!

[Kyle]

I think they are supposed to get over it after some years.

[lzver]

I would actually be pretty surprised if she has reached maturity at 12 months. They generally reach maturity around 2 years old. Others on the forum can certainly correct me if I'm wrong.

I can tell you that the hormonal phase doesn't last all year. Right now I have a very hormonal female Red Belly and she's looking for somewhere to nest (although I don't give her anywhere to nest). Try keeping your GCC busy and occupied. At this time of year I need to provide lots of things to chew and keep her busy.

Unfortunately, you could have had the same problem with a male parrot as well. Its all part of owning a parrot.

[patdbunny]

Male or female, you shouldn't be petting it the way you describe - stroking it down its back (you might even be curling your fingers under the tail/vent when you get to the end of the body). That's very sexy and sensual.

If you get another bird and Kiwi bonds with it and goes through the motions of having babies, even if they don't succeed, you will get a huge increase in screaming and aggressive behavior. If they're stimulated/simulated to breed they scream all day, will lunge and bite you. You probably won't be able to handle either bird.

Best thing to do is to stop encouraging the sexual behavior - stop petting Kiwi the way you're petting him/her (head and neck scritches only), move the cage to another location in the house, move the toys and stuff in the cage around, decrease the number of lighting hours, remove any boxes, happy huts, or other dark cozy areas.

[greymatter]

Welcome to the forum!

12 months does seem a bit young for maturity, but you never know.

I agree with pp, and do advise to stay calm and quiet while you're around her, so as not to rile her up. Definitely watch her body language - you will shortly learn what means, "Play with me and love me," vs, "I'm NOT in the mood!" I found the first hormonal rush with our Caique, Rosco, was a mix between hormones and an unfortunate bad experience with a trusted friend's mate & his friend. It may be a month or longer before she's back to her normal self - just don't give up, and be persistent.

It happens to the best of them - but with time and patience, you'll make it through this adjustment period

Good luck and I hope she's back to "normal" soon!

[Kiwi!]

Thanks, guys!

I will not be petting her that way any more! I watched the breeder handle her and that's how he was petting her, so I figured it was acceptable! Wrong! lol! Poor thing.

[Kiwi!]

Thanks again, everyone! I wanted to let you all know that I'm enjoying a quieter, friendlier conure after only 2 days of following your advice. I really appreciate it! It will be a while until she's back to "normal" but I feel like I have more tools in my tool box to work things out!

Kiwi thanks you, too!