Reader questions and feedback on the behavior of humans and animals. Also refer to emotional, anti-social, uncontrolled, group, mob mentality, rules, laws, motivations, addiction, anger, fear, joy, sorrow, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Answers to Readers' Questions on Behavior:
Hookbills
The following 24 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of first 10 items
- My parrot stopped making noises two days ago
- My parakeet keeps putting food in his water dish
- Have been rescuing parrots
- Where can I get a male lovebird?
- Female Fisher's lovebird is unhappy without a mate
- New bird is not happy
- New parakeet seems afraid
- Lovebird had eggs without a mate
- Do lovebirds aggravate asthma?
- Parakeet changes moods from day to day
My parrot stopped making noises two days ago
Question
March 16, 2008
My parrot stopped making noises two days ago.
It eats well every day but just does not make any sound what so ever, whereas before it screams, whistle and sang a tune.
Is my parrot sick?
Marina - SA
15547
Answer
Sometimes parrots will stop talking for a while if they are upset about some change in their environment. In such a case, try to comfort it and spend a little more time giving it attention. They are very social birds.
But also, check your parrot's eyes and feathers to see if it might be sick. Illness is another reason to stop talking. If you think it is ill, check with your vet.
My parakeet keeps putting food in his water dish
Question
March 21, 2007
My parakeet keeps putting food in his water dish. I have found bread, millet sprays, and bits of apple. We know there has to be a reason why he does this, but have no idea what it may be and can't find anything similiar on the web. Do you have any idea what he is trying to do? He also put a piece of newpaper, that I had rolled up in a ball for him to play with, in his water.
Susan - USA
13410
Answer
Some young birds prefer to have their food soaked in water. That is where they get their liquid instead of drinking it. Crows are known to let food soak in water for a long time. No one knows why.
On the other hand, you parakeet may be trying to tell you something concerning the water. You might try some changes with the water.
Finally, some animals just do strange things. Being bored, he may find it is an interesting activity. I don't think it hurts anything for him to do that. He might even be getting more attention from you, because of his antics.
Have been rescuing parrots
Question
January 29, 2007
i have been rescuing parrot for about 5 years now and i was wondering where i can get a rescue licence .i live in california, and i have saved over 200 birds now. i pay for all the vet visits and when he gives me a clean bill of health, i'll screen the families that want to adopt them, i never ask for any money i just want the birds to have the life they should . so if you could please advise me of what i have to do , i would very much appreciate it. thank you very much... dawn
dawn - USA
12999
Answer
Our website encourages worthy causes, and saving birds--as you have done--certainly is a worthy cause.
There are a number of bird rescue groups in California. Perhaps one of them could give you information on obtaining a rescue license.
http://www.netpets.com/birds/birdresc/birdgrp.html
http://www.parrotsociety.org/
http://www.avianweb.com/Rescue.htm
http://avianprotectors.homestead.com/Rescue.html
Best wishes on your good work.
Where can I get a male lovebird?
Question
November 27, 2006
Hi Ron and thanks for answering my email. I would love to find a partner for her but as I mentioned I was told because Fishers are the most aggressive lovies that she might kill another lovebird unless it's a mature male/female. I just don't know where to look for a mature lovie. I have an extra cage that I could put it in and place it next to her cage till they look like they might actually hit it off. Do you have any suggestions on where I might find a mature bird?
Nancy - USA
12520
Answer
You might try www.craigslist.org and click on your city. You can submit a free ad and check to see if anyone has a male bird available. I think that would be the best way to find a mate for your bird.
Good luck in finding one.
Female Fisher's lovebird is unhappy without a mate
Question
November 26, 2006
I inherited a Fisher lovebird from an ex-neighbor who knew I loved birds and didn't have the time to take care of her 8 month old lovie. I received one bird with cage and all the trimmings. I found out a few months later that my Fisher was a hen and really wanted a family in the worse way. I tossed out 5 eggs. I let her have the run of the house but soon found that my house was becoming full of poop and everything that could be chewed up was.
She is also a very high strung bird who will not stop plucking her feathers on her belly.
I've gotten a really large cage for her, I've included several sizes of perches, a tent bed, a fuzzy green blanket for her to cuddle into tied to the side of her cage, a fountain that runs during day hours. several types of food and clean water and she still hates me. Well maybe not hate but I've never been able to tame her. I was thinking she is very loney and needs a mate but was told she is capable of killing another lovie if I bought one.
I want my bird to be happy but feel she is a lonely bird and it makes me very sad.
I tried to give her to our local zoo that has a huge aviary full of Fishers but they said they had too many already. I would give her to a good home where she would have fellow lovies but am afraid they would only use her as abreeder.
Please any suggestions?
Nancy - USA
12477
Answer
Fisher's lovebirds are very social birds and love to have companions. Although they enjoy the company of humans, they're much happier if they have a partner.
My suggestion is to get a male lovebird to be her partner. An extra bird would not be that much trouble, and then you would have a couple of delightful pets.
New bird is not happy
Question
June 4, 2006
hi,I have had my bird he is a Parakeet i think they call them budgies but anyway i got him at 6:30 yesterday and it is now 5:02 the next day. My sisters also the same kind of bird except that morning hers i very happy and active and mine just sits there and dosent move at all i had him in a very small cage but then today i went and bought him a new bigger one thinking that would help but it didnt and when my lil sis bird like tweets mine will tweet back is this normal for him to just sit there he wasnt eating and i called the petstore where i bought him and they said i could take him back if he didnt eat but then he ate some today but it was when i was gone when i came in the room he just stopped is this normal for him to be like this and will he grow out of this i dont want an unhappy bird that just sits i feel really bad for him i mean i have toys and swings and treats he wont eat them or play with the toys
Please help
__abby
Abby - USA
11279
Answer
One reason he seems unhappy is that he is now in a strange environment. He may even be afraid, because everything is so new to him. It may take several days for him to relax and get used to his new home.
Another thing is that parakeets are social birds and often like to have another parakeet around. the only problem then is that pay more attention to each other than to their owner.
Let your bird get settled in. Sometimes they like to listen to music. They like attention, but don't try to force it on a new bird.
I'm sure your bird will soon be happy, just like your sister's bird.
New parakeet seems afraid
Question
March 21, 2006
I just got an American Parakeet a few weeks ago, and I have gotten him bundles of toys, but all he does is sit on his swing and sleep. I take him out everyday when I get home from school, and I try to get him to play with his toys, but he won't touch them. I have millet, a cuttlebone, and a honey-flavored block-treat in his cage, and he refuses to eat that too. I don't know what to do. I want him to be happy and cheerful and energetic, because quite frankly, I don't like to watch a bird that does nothing. Another thing, he always acts like he is scared of me. I'll put him on a perch outside his cage, and he will get scared and fly around when I get close...I am afraid he will get hurt. And when I try to get him out of his cage, he runs from me, although I take him out everyday and talk to him and play with him (well, he doesn't, considering he doesn't do anything but sleep).
1) Could it be he's lonely and needs a mate? What if, I get another bird, and when I put them in the cage, they hated each other? Or, what if they were opposite sexes and they started to breed and lay eggs? I wouldn't know what to do with the eggs.
2) Could it be that he's sick? I don't want him to be sick...I want him to be happy and healthy.
3) Could it be that he is still getting used to his new surroundings? If so, what can I do to make the transition better?
I also believe that he doesn't like water. I put him in my sink with lukewarm water, and he flew out and flew into a wall. I felt horrible, I really did. I know he needs to wet his feathers to keep them clean, so how do I get him to like the water?
THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP!!! PLEASE WRITE BACK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! I'M DESPERATE FOR SOME MUCH NEEDED HELP!!
- USA
10540
Answer
Your parakeet feels very unsure because he is in a strange place. It is going to take some time for him to adjust to his new surroundings. Don't try to push him too hard. The most important thing is that he starts eating enough.
Parakeets like to have partners, since they are very social birds. Often pet stores will let you introduce the birds to each other or even try things out or make sure they get along.
Also, pick up a book on raising parakeets, either at a pet store, book store or library. You can get a lot of pointers about what to expect and how to care for the bird.
I wouldn't try to give him a bath. Instead put a dish of water in his cage and let him bathe himself. Putting him in water could get him more frightened than ever. Just have some patience with him. Try to imagine if you were a little kid and put into a strange home with people you didn't know.
I hope these ideas help and that soon your bird (or birds) will become part of the family.
Lovebird had eggs without a mate
Question
January 16, 2006
Hi.I have a female lovebird named Peach.She used to have a mate but he died when I got them.Ever since I got her,she bites when i get close to her.About 3 months ago,she layed 9 eggs without a mate and i didnt know what to do.I've tried to find information ever since i got her about 1 and a half years ago but i couldn't find anything.If you can help me i would really appreciate it.
Maya - USA
9697
Answer
Lovebirds really like to be in pairs. It would be good to get her a partner. But you need to make sure they get along. That might stop her biting, but there may be some other behavior issues involved.
As far as laying the eggs go, the following articles give some information of what to do and about how she may act:
http://www.parrotparrot.com/articles/aa080500.htm
http://www.petplace.com/birds/egg-binding-and-chronic-egg-laying/page1.aspx
I hope that helps.
Do lovebirds aggravate asthma?
Question
November 17, 2005
I am seriously considering getting lovebirds. I have 2 kids that have had some asthma issues. Can lovebirds aggrevate asthma? I have been trying to find out and can't really find an answer. It seems to me, from what I have been reading, that some birds can have more dander than others. Is this true? I would greatly appreciate some help. Thanks.
Paula - USA
8994
Answer
Many birds kept as pets can cause psittacosis (parrot fever), which is a bacterial infection due to dust from bird feathers and cage contents or a sick bird. But in general that infection is rare.
The dust may aggravate asthma in some cases, but it really isn't a major issue since there are many sources of other dust in the house that are worse. But still it might be wise to check with your doctor to see what things to avoid in the house concerning your children's asthma.
Parakeet changes moods from day to day
Question
June 21, 2005
I HAVE A PARAKEET THAT WILL HAVE HER FEATHERS ALL RUFFED UP,SLEEPY EYES, AND JUST SITS ON HER PERCH ONE DAY. THE NEXT DAY SHE IS ACTIVE, FRESH TOWARDS HER CAGEMATE AND HOPS AROUND LIKE SHE HAS ENDLESS ENERGY. THEN THE NEXT DAY SHE WILL LOOK SICK AGAIN. I TOOK HER TO THE VET AND THEY GAVE HER AN ANTIBIOTIC WHICH SHE JUST FINISHED. THEN SATURDAY, SHE LOOKED SICK AGAIN, SUNDAY SHE WAS FINE. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM??
CAROL - USA
7330
Answer
It could be that she is just like some people who are active one day and lethargic the next. It is sort of like a manic-depressive personality. She probably overdoes things one day and then needs to recharge her batteries the next.
I don't want to equate a bird with human traits, but they are highly complex and it could be a similar condition. The big thing is that she isn't always listless. Treat her the same each day, and feed her well.
Summary
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Answers to Readers' Questions on Behavior