Cage Aggression

[MissyMe83]

I was wondering if many of you have issues with cage agression to an extent? I never had an issue with this with in my dealings with smaller birds, so I question whether it is a species issue or just based on the individual bird? I only have an issue with Tate when it comes to cage cleaning. On any other occasion I can reach in his cage to have him step up, offer food, change water dish, give a head scratch, etc. I have a stable cleaning routine...every Sunday I will remove the food dishes and any perch or toy that's soiled and needs cleaning. Then I will move his cage out to the middle of the living room, so I can sweep and clean any droppings from the carpet. Then I'll get to work on the grate and cage bars, etc. I normally take him out and set him on top of the cage, so I can get in there and get what I need to done, but I've noticed him getting more and more annoyed each week when I'm doing this. He climbs down and gets back in the cage, puffs up and nips at me. Last night he actually got me pretty good. I've never had a real issue with him biting me (he will occasionally nip my boyfriend pretty good) but I've always accounted that to him just not being as close w/ Tate as I am. I tried not to take it offensively, but admit it did kind of hurt my feelings. So, I guess I'm looking for an explanation that would make it less offensive to me, such as him just being territorial with his "house."

So, anyone else deal with this and if so, what do you do to limit it from happening as often?

 

[Spiritbird]

My TAG Rosie has been cage possessive since her birth. If I put my hands into the cage I get a lunge bite. This is the only time she every bites. I have learned to live with it now.

 

[roxynoodle]

Rowdy is very cage territorial as well. She doesn't like me being in there cleaning her cage and toys and perches, which I do every couple of days. It's easier and safer for her to be out of her cage when I'm doing it. Although a couple of weeks ago when I wanted to disinfect it good, I took her into the bathroom with me to do it and she thought that was great fun. Usually I like to do that outside due to the sizes of the cages, but it was really cold that day.

 

[KellyH]

Yes, both my previous Quaker and the Amazon I have now are cage territorial. In order for me to do any cleaning or rearranging of toys/perches, I have to take them away from the cage to another room.

One time I put my amazon on a playstand while I was cleaning. He got so upset that he flew a good 4 feet over to the cage, crashing into the bars on the outside and fell to the ground. And he is clipped! Luckily he wasn't hurt.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to take them and put them on a stand so they can't see their cage and what you are doing to it. Less stressful for all involved and something we just have to live with for some birds.

 

[BillsBirds]

I can tell you that even the little ones can be cage aggressive. I had a budgie that would try to tear your hand off if you put it into her cage. Also, other little guys have been that way. I avoid cage aggression by getting most of my birds to meet my hand at the cage door. Then, I take them out to do things inside the cage.

 

[suebee]

i just don't do much to nuts cage when she is on top of it! it causes tension or attacks!

if she is off her cage its ok, to do a full clean, but i prefer her in another room, as she is flighted, she does fly to attack lol

if she poops, an i go to wipe it off, she feels she needs to protect that poop an attacks the tissue, and my finger in the tissue

i just put it down as one of her quirks lol

 

[MissyMe83]

Suebee, now that you mention the poop issue i realize that Tate does this too. If I see him poop on the couch I'll go grab a poop off wipe and clean it up real quick and if he's still in the area he gets angry when I clean it up and will go for the wipe or my hand! He generally doesn't bite hard though. Odd that they feel the need to defend their poop! lol

 

[roxynoodle]

Sometimes Rowdy defends her poop, too. I thought it was just because she wanted the paper towel or tissue. But, maybe you guys are right and she is actually defending the poop instead.

 

[BillsBirds]

Well....it IS their poop!