Ask Lafeber

New parakeet bitting his right foot

E we just brought home 2 male parakeets. About 5-7 months old. One of them keeps picking up his right foot and biting it, why would he be doing that?

Hi,

This may be nerves, or misplaced aggression. If these birds were just put together, they may not be truly compatible. It can also be a hormonal response if he shows any signs of regurgitating on his foot. Make sure you have two food and two waters bowls on opposite ends of the cage. Watch them for any signs of one bullying the other. Make sure there aren’t any other pets around that could be making the bird nervous. If he is just nervous, he should settle in soon. But if he doesn’t like the other bird, they may start fighting.

Thank you for asking Lafeber,

Brenda