Temper tantrums?

So my Patagonian conure (Peanut) is really being a brat, and it is getting worse. He had 3 bowls in his cage, 1 for water, 1 for fresh foods, and 1 for pellets. We try to keep pellets in the cage at all times, and he gets fresh stuff twice daily along with my eclectus. He normally does not eat the fresh stuff, which I believe he never had before I found him. Anyway, he will get underneath both of the food bowls and push them up and out of the holder and onto the floor of the cage. It's really aggravating. My husband is home most of the day and says it happens 2-3 times during the day, and then when I come home at 4 they are already down again. What can I do? He also has these weird temper tantrums where he gets really aggressive with his toys. He never plays with the toys, just throws them around aggressively. I have changed out the toys multiple times, and tried different types. I think this bird has an anger problem. Any suggestions on how to keep the food in the bowls and the bowls in the holders? I'm not looking for perfection, I know birds are messy but this is crazy.

LOL. Your conure thinks it's a game. Each time he does it he knows that his dishes will be filled, again. Try some of the quick lock crock type of feed dishes or go buy some heavy ceramic dog dishes, I find they work a treat. I place all my dishes on the floor of the cage right in front of the door. The birds may push them around but they are to heavy to tip over.

When he realises your not playing that game anymore he should tire of it.

I agree he's playing games. Merlin also uses heavy crock dishes, but she likes to eat on the bottom of her cage. They also make stainless steel dishes that lock onto the bars.

Merlin usually lifts her playtop and slams that down a few times a day for fun as well, from inside the cage. Noise is fun, too!

Rowdy sometimes beats the heck out of her toys as well and scolds them like they are naughty children. I think conures like to do that. Later she will kiss them and tell them she loves them. This behavior made me suspect she was a female even though the vet thought she was male. She reminds me of a nagging mom. Sometimes she shakes them really fast as well and yells at them.

"Rowdy sometimes beats the heck out of her toys as well and scolds them like they are naughty children. I think conures like to do that. Later she will kiss them and tell them she loves them. This behavior made me suspect she was a female even though the vet thought she was male. She reminds me of a nagging mom. Sometimes she shakes them really fast as well and yells at them"


LMAO, ROXY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

She does, lol! I always tell her, that toy didn't do anything to you. Actually as she has gotten older she isn't as abusive them anymore, lol!

Thanks. I will buy some lock on crocks for him. I can't help but laugh at him when he gets all angry at his toys and slams them around. I have never had a conure before, but I am starting to realize that they can be very naughty birds. LOL.

Conures are VERY energetic, and sometimes they just need to take some of that out on something, and better toys than us, lol! Make sure he has a lot to chew. They chew like crazy. Yesterday Rowdy went through 4 balsa wood blocks. Of course balsa is pretty soft.

I've actually been surprised to learn that Greys are so energetic as well. In many ways Merlin reminds me of a conure. But, she doesn't seem to get as wound up.

Clifford throws his toys when he wants to be left alone, If one of the dogs is within 2 feet of his cage he throws his toys and rings his bells. its his way of saying "go away". The dogs have already caught on to it and obey as Clifford commands. If he is tired of me talking to him, he throws things at me. He does throw his food and laugh, which I have figured out he will not do if I play peek-a-boo with him instead.

Like all the bird books say parrots will act like a 2 to 3 year old child and this is a good example of how they burn some of that energy. Conures seem to never be still. I would not let it bother you. He sees the attention he gets from you when he plays like that. He loves it.