Jealous or overbonded?

[Angrybird]

Hey guys,

I'm trying to figure out if my male parakeet is jealous of or overbonded to our female or us. It's quite a big problem for her and for us to live with. I don't really know where to start describing. They are both Ringnecks, he just turned 3 and she is half his age. The problems started in spring this year. I'll just list

1. He started feeding her in spring and he dances to her and his toys and even to our broom.
2. He makes funny loud but not screaming noises everytime we talk or play with her.
3. He doesn't let her play with her toys and he always wants what she has. When we give them both a peanut then he drops his and goes for her.
4. When shes just flying around the house, he follows her looking only at her tail, making that funny noise again n again. This happens even when she is just foraging. She doesn't return this calls at all.
5. If he is in the kitchen with us and she is in the living room, then he seems to be happy and makes no noise. He screams as soon as one of us leaves. (If it is flock calling, why doesn't he call her?)

We can't train or play with her or she with us because of him following her and making those loud noises. If we were to play with him, he doesn't make any noise but he isn't interested (he was before). He used to listen to commands but not anymore. Step up doesn't work. He just takes off. Turn around or put your toys back doesn't work anymore either.

We are not sure if he is jealous of us or her or overbonded to anyone or if he is just in 'heat' but its been going on for too long.

Thanks for reading,
Leo

 

[paulhanlon]

From what you have described it sounds like your male ringneck is showing signs of wanting to mate with your female if he's started feeding her and dances for her I'd take that as a sign of him getting ready to mate how old is your female as I would surgest splitting them up unless you are wanting them to breed of cause then leave them to it depending on your females age.

 

[Angrybird]

No I don't want them mating anytime soon. She is 1 and a half years old. He dances to other objects too. Is it normal for him not to do what we want either? Like step up etc.. I don't mind seperating them but I can't do it on a long term basis. That would mean only put them together to mate. I thought he was jealous of us spending time with her. We had him first but she was hand fed as her parents didn't want to so she's easier to train.

 

[paulhanlon]

It is possible is he been more snapy towards you in a aggressive way and if he is in breeding mode you will most likely have to split them for the period of time until he comes out of season I'm not saying move him into another room etc just put him in another cage beside her so they can still communicate with each other but if he is calling out in a high pitch scream and he's dancing etc showing of to her in other words chances are he is in breeding mode give this link a look it tells you all the behaviours to watch for so you know when your bird is ready to start the breeding cycle breeding keep us posted on his behaviour.

 

[Angrybird]

Well he did bite us a lil harder on our lip and on my nose instead of giving us a kiss. That may be the only sign of aggression he has showed. They've been in different cages since yesterday evening. I didn't want him bugging her too much. She seems to be enjoying the time alone but he just screams for no reason. Well lets see if it stops. I'm hoping that when fall brings shorter days he will stop. I don't really want them in 2 cages for long because 1 bird does get the larger cage. I hope you're right and it is breeding behavior. I don't know how to teach a bird that the other needs some space.
Thanks for your replies!!