Hi guys!
I got two young (seemingly) female budgies about two months ago. For the first month they seemed incredibly happy. They ate together, preened each other frequently, sang for each other, and regurgitated for each other. They seemed like they had bonded!
In the past 2-3 weeks things have taken a slight turn. One bird has become increasingly protective and territorial over food, causing the other bird to do so as well. I put two bowls in the cage some distance away to try and combat this, but they still try to eat from the same bowl and get into little squabbles over food constantly. They’ll squabble over little things like trying to move down a perch when the other is in the way, or one trying to preen the other but the other not wanting it. They haven’t had any violent fights, just the little squabbles. They do still preen each other and regurgitate, just not as frequently as they used to. Instead they often preen while sitting next to each other. One bird, the less territorial one, has also started to make sort of low frequency growling noises while trying to get underneath the other budgie. I’ve seen her try to nip the other one’s feet while she does this, but she hasn’t caused any injury or pain.
Around this same time they also changed the spots where they normally sleep, and now tend to sleep near each other on the same perch. They are also incredibly afraid of humans and will freak out if a human hand gets too close, so they haven’t stepped up or left their cage willingly yet, despite me leaving the doors open.
This is so confusing. They’re not hurting each other or fighting, but the territorial squabbles happen many times a day. But, give it some time and they’ll go back to regurgitating and sitting with each other. I don’t know what caused the sudden change in behavior, and I’m afraid they now like each other less. They have two food bowls, plenty of toys, and some space to get away from each other if needed. I just want to make sure that they are happy and their behavior is safe and normal, or if I should be doing something to correct it. Could they just be hormonal, and if so how long would such a period last? Thanks!!
I got two young (seemingly) female budgies about two months ago. For the first month they seemed incredibly happy. They ate together, preened each other frequently, sang for each other, and regurgitated for each other. They seemed like they had bonded!
In the past 2-3 weeks things have taken a slight turn. One bird has become increasingly protective and territorial over food, causing the other bird to do so as well. I put two bowls in the cage some distance away to try and combat this, but they still try to eat from the same bowl and get into little squabbles over food constantly. They’ll squabble over little things like trying to move down a perch when the other is in the way, or one trying to preen the other but the other not wanting it. They haven’t had any violent fights, just the little squabbles. They do still preen each other and regurgitate, just not as frequently as they used to. Instead they often preen while sitting next to each other. One bird, the less territorial one, has also started to make sort of low frequency growling noises while trying to get underneath the other budgie. I’ve seen her try to nip the other one’s feet while she does this, but she hasn’t caused any injury or pain.
Around this same time they also changed the spots where they normally sleep, and now tend to sleep near each other on the same perch. They are also incredibly afraid of humans and will freak out if a human hand gets too close, so they haven’t stepped up or left their cage willingly yet, despite me leaving the doors open.
This is so confusing. They’re not hurting each other or fighting, but the territorial squabbles happen many times a day. But, give it some time and they’ll go back to regurgitating and sitting with each other. I don’t know what caused the sudden change in behavior, and I’m afraid they now like each other less. They have two food bowls, plenty of toys, and some space to get away from each other if needed. I just want to make sure that they are happy and their behavior is safe and normal, or if I should be doing something to correct it. Could they just be hormonal, and if so how long would such a period last? Thanks!!
