Ask Lafeber

Aggressive Green Cheeks

I have 4 green cheek conures total. (1 male and 3 females) Mango, pebbles, Sunny and Turkey. Ive had them all for well over a year now and 2 of them have become bonded. (Mango and pebbles) This is their second clutch of eggs that they have laid now and i haven’t been keeping the eggs just because i do not have time for babies currently. Again, everyone has gotten along but now ive been seeing mango mate with my other two girls. A few weeks have gone by and now im noticing that one of my girls sunny has been attacking my other female turkey! I dont know what to do cause they have always gotten along and sleep next to one another every night since i got them i just dont know how to stop the behavior! My guess is shes being like this because of the hormones because they are on a healthy diet, have more than a large enough cage and plenty of toys and enrichment. So i don’t know. Im stuck and i need help! I love all of my babies and i don’t wanna get rid of any! (I have sunny (the aggressive one) in a separate cage as of now to keep her from hurting turkey or anyone else for that matter)

Hi,

When parrots are mature, they choose a mate, and other flock members become rivals. Having a single male with 3 females is most likely causing the problems. As long as hormones are involved, this fighting is not likely going to stop. Possibly the aggressive female is interested in the male, also, and doesn’t want the other female as a competitor. If she eliminates that one, she might then go after the female that is bonded with the male. All you can do is keep her separated and see if she settles back down. But there is nothing you can do to make birds get along.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda