athena

I have four birds. I keep them caged up but routinely let them have freedom three days a week to fly about the house for the full day. A little background: Two of my birds are rescue birds. Snowflake is super reclusive and the B word, but Slim is starting to pick on my original bird, Peep. Neither of the rescue birds could even fly well when they came to me. Anyway, Slim seems to have gotten my other original bird, Fat boy, to start picking on Peep now too. Chasing her off the cage, away from certain food (mostly the fresh), and have started either biting or clawing I can't tell which. I woke up the other day with Peep having blood on her wing, so I promptly removed her from the cage but she acts like I'm punishing her or something. She wants back in the other cage and keeps really loud about wanting to be in there, and the other three birds aren't any better. They are all objecting to her being out of the cage too. My question is: Is there a reason why they have started picking on her? Is there any special way other than removing Peep from the cage to put a stop to this? It's really frustrating me and I really don't want to get rid of the bird that started the whole problem to begin with. You see, my rescue birds were kept in a darkened utility room in a way too small, dirty cage and only let outside in the winter here in Las Vegas (which is like 30 - 40 F). I feel so sorry that their life has been so miserable up to this point, I don't want to have to make them readjust to a different home. Any suggestions or ideas would be a great help. Thanks!

She is beautiful!

Thanks again. I will definitely check into it. My babies just love having fresh branches brought in every day to play on, etc. I hate to deny them something they enjoy, but I'm sure they would like some variety even in the branches.

Thanks for your answer. I'd hate to hurt my birds in any way. They've become a huge part of my family.

Hi I'm an American living in Las Vegas. I just wanted to say how much I love this site . . . this place is the most informative that I've found. I have a question about willow. I read here that it is okay for parakeets, but I was wondering if that includes all willow. I have a desert willow tree in my front lawn that I would like to use branches along with bamboo in the back yard. This would be okay? This is the scientific name: Desert Willow Chilopsis linearis

Thanks for your help!

Sorry these pics aren't as clear, but he just keeps moving too much LOL. Anyway, hope this helps and thanks again.">

I would love help sexing my new additions. I was told female and male, but I'm really not sure. Thanks in advance!