Cockatiel dominant behaviour or playing?

[lisascannell]

Hello - so I'm not concerned, I'm just curious about the behaviour of my feathered babies. I have a new male cockatiel named Drummer. He is very vocal and shows off and whistles. When I have all the tiels (five of them) out for play time he will often approach my other male cockatiel Rocky and he will get right into his face and do his showing off and whistling. It looks cute but Rocky doesn't like it. He runs away but Drummer keeps whistling in his face. The other 3 cockatiels are females and he doesn't act like this with them but the girls will get a bit turned on and stick their bums in their air. Rocky is really spoilt and would prefer to spend time with me and shows little interest in the other birds. Just wondering if little Drummer is trying to assert his dominance, trying to mate with Rocky (which I don't understand!!) or just playing. THanks!!

 

[henpecked]

Within a flock of tiels is a dominate male. he does things like "drum" on branches, perches, sides of the cage, etc. he is also the "song Mister" and the males under will mimic his songs. he's the one who sings first and last at the beginning and end of the day. yes he may try and mount lesser males in the flock, yes it's a dominance thing. Hope some of your questions are answered.

 

[Kalidasa]

That sounds really cute lol my 2 budgies (male) have little "duels" almost very day, but they're best friends and actually pair bonded.

 

[Maria_Metropolis]

Lisa,
You should make a video of that. Sounds cute.

 

[MikeyTN]

It depends on the situation, in your situation he's interested in your other male. I know it doesn't make sense but that's what he's doing is singing to him. Dominance thing they do is by lifting their wings a bit and do the attack stance. Then they would chase to attack. The boys sing to attract mate even to the ones they have interest in.

 

[lisascannell]

Hi Maria I've uploaded a video for you
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yQhjcgx5gY&feature=youtu.be"]YouTube[/ame]

 

[MonicaMc]

I'm half wondering if Rocky might be a hen, and that's why Drummer is showing off to Rocky?

 

[lisascannell]

I'm really starting to think he's a hen too. He must be at least six months now and does not talk or whistle at all
I'm probably being over paranoid but I noticed since late yesterday every time I pick rocky up he opens his mouth kind of like a hiss but no sound comes out! I'm in the process of converting the birds from seed to pellet could that have something to do with it? He still has access to some seed thougg

 

[MonicaMc]

Maybe Rocky is threatening without noise? Keep an eye on her.


As long as a bird is healthy, converting them over to another diet should not result in a decrease in noises.

 

[MikeyTN]

I've been thinking Rocky is a girl too especially no pearl have been molted out so far.

 

[lisascannell]

I've been thinking Rocky is a girl too especially no pearl have been molted out so far.

I think everyone realises it's a girl - except me - I keep calling Rocky "he" - hahaha

 

[MikeyTN]

Now time to change to calling a she!

 

[lisascannell]

Yeah I know I just can't get my head around it yet! He's always been my little baby boy. I know I have to...