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Question:

February 27, 2023

African grey getting along


Hello,
I have two CAG. Female is year old and male is 4 months old. We introduced them slowly, they didnt seem to care about each other at first and they currently have cages next to each other in our living room. At first the female was keeping her distance from him and just looking at him. She then tried to very slowly preen him but every time she comes close he automaticly turns to face her and wants to be fed by her (he puts his face really close to hers and does the baby bird voice). She doesnt like that and she will yell and attack him with her beak or feet. But if she is out and he is in his cage (we had her first so she is always first to be let out) she comes to his cage and sticks her beak in and it looks like they just grab each other by beaks but not in aggresive way. But it doesnt really looks like she tries to feed him. Its been a month like this. Is there any method how to get them to be ok with each other and not be aggressive? I dont need them to be a pair at all cost, just friends. Or do they just need time?
Thank you.


Answer:

Hi,

It’s natural for you to want your birds to get along, but the concept of having another bird just as a companion isn’t natural for a parrot. Right now both of your birds are juveniles, and in a wild flock, they would interact. But in a few years, the desire to interact changes to the desire to find a mate. Once that mate is chosen, they no longer have physical interactions with flock members – the flock is mainly for protection. It’s good that they do not hate each other, but on the other hand, it might not be the best idea for them to form a bond, because that can cause them to lose interest in people and only want to interact with each other eventually. As for doing anything to get them to like each other, there truly isn’t a solution. Birds have their own idea of who they like. Some birds take an instant dislike to another, and nothing changes this. The best thing to do is always supervise them if both are out together, and if they start fighting, then separate them and just have them out at different times.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

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