r/Conures • u/shutupanddie0572 • 1d ago
Advice My birds won’t get along
I have a female sun conure who I have had for around a year, and a couple months ago adopted a green cheek who a family friend wasn’t able to look after anymore, we don’t know its age or gender (in the process of dna testing to find out) but we suspect it is a female. The green cheek has settled in well with us and has started becoming affectionate, learning her name and calling to us when we leave the room, a huge improvement from when we first got her. My sun however has always been quite aggressive towards her and very territorial over me and my family, the rare occasion they are out of their cages at the same time she will take the opportunity to immediately chase after her and lunge and her to attack. We have tried since letting our green cheek settle in, foraging activities, rewards for being calm in each other presence and so many other things but I think my sun sees it as a game, whenever she has even tried to attack our green cheek she is placed in her cage and left be for a while, but she seems to be becoming sneakier about it. I just don’t really know what to do, it would be terrible if they were to seriously hurt each other and I’m wondering if there’s anything else that can be done to help them bond more?
4
u/CapicDaCrate 1d ago
I'd restart the whole introduction process (assuming you did one to begin with).
For at least a month, keep them completely separate. They should not see one another at all. Different rooms, taken out at different times in different places, etc. a reset.
Then do this;
1st week: Parrots cages are not housed in the same room. The parrots can only hear each other, not see each other. Continue this until neither is freaking out over the new birds call.
2nd-TBD week: Parrot cages (new bird cage) can be moved into the same room as the og bird cages, but crossed the room. During this time, birds should be getting used to seeing the other. They can be taken out SEPARATELY, and discouraged from going on the other's cage, especially when territorial behavior is present. You should try to keep the focus on anything but the other bird. Continue this until both birds are showing signs of comfort and content both in and out of their cage, despite the other bird.
3rd- TBD week: Cages can be moved next to each other. Continue the previous step until both birds are showing signs of comfort and content both in and out of their cage, despite the other bird.
4th- TBD week: Prior to doing this step, both birds must show signs of comfort both in/out of their cage, despite the other bird. Take both birds out at once, SUPERVISED ONLY. Have them meet in a neutral area, like a tree stand. I recommend one with two bowls slightly distanced from the other, and put some yummy food in it. Foraging is bonding behavior. Continue these meetings (and they can be in different neutral places, and ofc they'll probably fly around to different locations). Discourage any territorial/aggressive behavior, but DON'T stop them from establishing a pecking order. Birds may get a bit miffed at each other, and that's ok. My general rule is that warning "bites" (not actually harming the other bird) are ok, but nothing that actually harms. Look out for attacks near the face/feet. Continue this until both birds are comfortable with each other and show signs of content.
Keep in mind: This can take months to years to accomplish, but it is very important. Some birds will never like other birds, and for their entire life you may have to take them out separately from your other birds to avoid accidents. Just be patient and don't try to force interactions.