2 males doing what they shouldnt be doing.

[angelo]

Greetings all, hope everyone is well.

So this is a weird/disturbing one for me. (to say the least)

I have 2 male peachfaced monsters and for the past few weeks they have been sorta trying to do bad stuff to each other. One will chase another around, and then try to mount!! :omg: they seem to take turns attempting this and its beginning to worry me a little. Keep in mind this only happens when their in their cage.

Pita about 9 months old (got blue guy first)
Pepper about 4 months old (got green guy 1 month later)
Both are living in the same neutral cage i introduced when i got Pepper.


Any comments would be appreciated.

Thx!

[linda040899]

In the lovebird world, it's not unusual to have this kind of relationship between same sexes. Sometimes, males prefer males over females. I will admit that 4 months is a bit young to see this kind of behavior. Are you sure of age? Have you had both birds DNA sexed so that you are sure of gender?

[angelo]

I may be off on their age by a month or so, and yes I have
had them sexed as well.

[Chickobee]

Your birds are really pretty together.

Two birds together will mimic the behaviors of a male x female pair even if they are both males or both females. That's one reason why DNA tests are suggested, so you are sure what you have.

I had two hens who behaved like that until they started to mature more. Then all they did was fight. At least with your two males they probably will remain friends and can share the same cage. And, you won't have to worry about eggs!

[linda040899]

At age 5 months, the behavior you are seeing is perfectly normal. The younger one is kind of playing at it but he's very close to being sexually mature.

[LauraO]

This behavior has been a pretty common occurance in our flock over the years. Mostly, it is just playing/exploring at this age, and often happens with youngsters who end up pairing up with the opposite sex birdy. Of course, I've had some same sex pairs in our flock in the past. I personally don't have a problem with it especially if the two birds really care for each other.

[angelo]

I had two hens who behaved like that until they started to mature more. Then all they did was fight. At least with your two males they probably will remain friends and can share the same cage.!

Well for the most part they are friends. Pita (blue) i think since hes a little older and was around 1 month before tends to bully pepper in the cage, ie: food dishes, position in the cage, etc. He often chases him around and they each bite at each others feet often which result in little mini scraps. No serious damage has been done. But its weird, one minute their grooming each other and best friends and the next their at each others throats. I think Pita gets mad when Pepper eats from the food dish, since Pita always likes to feed Pepper on his own, I hope this changes soon.

[Mummieeva]

I would try adding a second food dish to see if it helps. Many times it can defuse some of the fighting about the food.

Steph

[angelo]

Oh there's been 2 dishes in there from the beginning, and i have tried to keep them both dishes at opposite ends of the cage. Sometimes he chases him off one, and then pepper just goes to the other.

[kimsbirds]

May I ask what method of sexing you used?

[angelo]

The vet did it, i believe they took some blood. Called us 5 days later with the results.

[kimsbirds]

Females will always be females through blood testing.
However, you can get false tests on males...perhaps do both birds again (especially the bossy one) using a different vet/dna clinic.

[angelo]

hrmmm, well they are pretty pricey, and they are pretty accurate no?
The VET had mentioned some percentage of accuracy but i cant remember.

[jen]

My two males do the same thing.. and yes it is disturbing.. am trying to find girlfriends for them ;)

You can get DNAing done for 20$ or so. I used these guys... http://www.healthgene.com/avian/dna_sexing.asp

[alifess]

I hate to bring politics into a bird forum, but I have to say that I don't think this is in the least bit disturbing. Many species of animals find mates of the same sex, and there is nothing unusual or abnormal about it. Has anyone read "And Tango Makes Three"? It's the true story of two male penguins in the Central Park zoo who pair up and start sitting on rocks in the hopes that one will hatch. Eventually they adopt.

I hate to think about the heartbreak that lovebirds would suffer if their owners separated them from a same-sex partner who they are in love with because they disapprove of homosexuality.

[michael]

.........I hate to think about the heartbreak that lovebirds would suffer if their owners separated them from a same-sex partner who they are in love with because they disapprove of homosexuality.

Or are they transexuals?......Perhaps it might be easier to leave out politics by refering to same-sex fidmates as "homoiogous's"..... Then again, that kinda leaves out all the other inanimate (yet seemingly well endowed) objects such as, shoe's, socks, fuzzy toys, happy huts, couch cushions, perches, lampshades, etc, etc, etc. ... Wonder who'd stand up for those?!...........:)

[alifess]

Excellent point -- my lovie greatly enjoys an occasional roll in the hay with tissues, the dirtier the better :)