Ask Lafeber

Question:

January 27, 2023

Indian ringneck biting


I have two untamed Indian ringneck bird one female and male at 7 months old I have had them for a month they always bite me when cleaning the cage and can’t let them out as there wings are not clipped which makes hard for me to clean their cage. It’s impossible for me to clip there wings without stressing them out


Answer:

Hi,

If you are sure they are male and female, they should not be sharing a cage at this age. They are much too young to breed, and being with a male can cause the female to try to lay eggs when she is too young. This can actually risk her life. Did they come with paperwork that they were male and female? It usually takes 2-3 years for the male and female to exhibit the markings that show what sex they are. If the male already has his full ring, he is at least 3 years old. At 7 months, both of these birds should be a solid color with no ring markings yet. As for biting, all you can do is find a way to keep them away from you when you clean the cage – maybe use an extra perch to hold between them and your hand, or try wearing gloves. You can’t tame them as long as they share a cage and can fly away from you. But if you only got them for breeding, then it’s a matter of getting them to back away from you instead of biting you.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda

Subscribe to our newsletter

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter

×

Join our Lafeber Flock

Enjoy our Pet Birds' weekly newsletter, featuring captivating stories, care tips, and more.
Opt for Small Mammals' monthly edition for delightful facts about rabbits, guinea pigs, and more.
Choose our monthly Backyard Chickens newsletter for insightful information to keep your flock happy.
*