Ask Lafeber

Keeping a breeding pair pionus as pets?

Dear Lafeber. We own a pair of Bronzewinged pionus parrots. Initially they were quite tame and interactive with us, however of the last three years they have become increasingly difficult to handle as hormones soar. They spent most of their days outside the cage, have good nutrition, we limit fruits and nuts but give them plenty of vegetables. The problem now is that the male has become agressive and nearly impossible to handle and the female in permanently searching for a nesting area in the house and is preoccupied with mating. We have no intentions breading with them, but our relationship with them have deteriorated to a point of non-existance. Is there any way to salvage this situation?

Hi,

When you have a bonded pair like this, they are not going to remain tame. It is their instinct to only interact with each other. Juvenile parrots will interact with each other in a flock. But once they are mature and find a mate, other flock members become rivals. This is why most parrots end up only liking one person or sometimes one gender. If hormone triggers are avoided, the parrot will have fewer behavior issues. But with a pair, hormones are pretty much impossible to avoid. The male’s instinct is to protect his mate. By allowing them free roam during the day, this mimics searching for a nest, so the desire to breed just gets stronger. It’s highly unlikely that this dynamic is going to change at this point. Since they are now a bonded pair, it wouldn’t be right to separate them. The best option might be to find a reputable pionus breeder to place them with so they can do what pairs do. You could work out an arrangement to get a single chick in the future. Parrots are best kept as single birds if you want them to be pets. That doesn’t mean you can’t have more than one. But if you have other parrots, especially a male & female of the same species, you shouldn’t let them share a cage or interact all day if you want them to continue to be a pet.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda