Cockatiel behavior question help please

[Sylverlilly]

Hi all. This is my first post here. About 2 weeks ago I brought home a new male cockatiel. He is on the scared side but not aggressive just hand shy. I let him out every night he comes out onto his own on a standing perch we have. My other cockatiel named Buttons is older. He is 7. He is much more tame but is still a timid bird even after all this time. Buttons lost his old cage mate in an accident with my daughter crashing into the cage. His old friend, Smokey sadly was hurt and passed. Buttons and Smokey were never cuddles but they talked and always were companions. When he passed I noticed how lonely Buttons became and now we have my new guy, Powder. They are currently in separate cages next to each other but visit every night. Powder has begun going into the cage with Buttons or sometimes just climbing Buttons cage. Buttons has one eye he is blind in, and is a nervous flyer due to this. He prefers to stay in his cage usually though I leave his door open and perch nearby in case he wants to come out. Now that Powder is going in he will go up to Buttons and fun his head on his belly. He will also nip at Buttons feet. I can't tell if this is friendly or aggressive? It makes Buttons nervous though and I don't want Buttons to hurt him. I never let them stay long and always put them to bed in their own cages. If I can upload a video of it I will. I do have one. Can anyone offer me some advice? I know I'm not a perfect riel owner but I'm doing my best to see to their best interests. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

[YoYo]

Hi and welcome to the forum . From what you have told me this is aggressive/territorial behavior between the two birds. A way to help them make a bond is to put their cages next to each other (which you have done) but also to not let them get into each others cages. doing this for about two weeks should get them used to each other. After this you should take them out and put them together while supervising. I hope this helps, good luck.

 

[Sylverlilly]

Ah ok. It is about two weeks. Can they try sitting k. The out of cage perch together? Buttons needs help getting there. They have been next to each other but they haven't interacted until this episode of belly rubbing/toe nipping. Buttons will whistle and call yo him he is vocal. The new bird Powder is not vocal, he is very quiet. Thank you

 

[SilverSage]

Are you saying that powder puts his head in buttons belly? I was confused by the language. If that's what is going on it is actually social behavior, not territorial. He is asking to be preened. He could be nipping the feet more because he is not getting his way than for any other reason. If it is powder nipping buttons toes in buttons cage I doubt it is territorial. However, allowing a bird to enter another birds cage is a recipe for heartbreak as parrots are naturally territorial. Please prevent this from happening anymore. Also, are you sure they are both male?

 

[Sylverlilly]

Buttons I was told was male by a vet. Once an avian vet and once our regular vet who is just much closer. Powder they told me was a male when we got him. The man looked under his wings to check for markings I think. Powder rubbed his head on Buttons' belly, yes. When I let them out I will close cage doors so they only interact on perch but Buttons is wary of the out of cage perch because of his blind eye. I do not mind two cages but is that something I should plan for permanently? Thank you for the responses. Also I will see if I can find a way to put my video into YouTube and link to it. It shows them interacting.