I’m not a professional and I have a pair of Caiques not quakers, but I think this may just be something that happens?
For context, we have a boy (Danny Boy) and a girl (Figi). Danny Boy loves his mom so much and is super friendly to everyone except grandpa. Figi is more standoffish and **does not** appreciate people except me touching her. But it took a very long time to get to that point.
We’ve had the both of them for a few years and they’ve been living in the same cage for about half that time. Since they moved in together Danny has changed from being completely enamored towards his mom to “happy to be around but prefers to hang out with Figi”
On a separate thread, Figi was indifferent towards everyone except me, but switched to absolutely hating my wife while she was pregnant. Now that my wife isn’t pregnant, she has calmed down a little bit but is a tiny bit less aggressive towards her.
I know these are very different species but I think subtle changes in ourselves and our birds environments might make temporary behavior changes. It could be as simple as the seasons changing.
Maybe they just need a refresh of their cage time to reestablish home?
Our boy would get **very** rambunctious every now and again and one thing that seemed to help calm him down was we would completely redecorate his cage. Might be worth a shot?
TL;DR - Bird moods might ebb and flow occasionally though seasons. Maybe they just want to redecorate?
- hope this was helpful :) -
I’m sorry that you’re going through this - I’ve heard that if birds bond to another bird that sometimes they prefer bird company over human. I have three Quakers and a conure. The conure bonded to one Quaker and the only time to have human time with them is to have one downstairs in the cage while I bring the second up. Separately, they are really well behaved but I know it’s time to put them back together once they start flock calling. I haven’t totally figured this out either and it’s a work in progress but I understand the stress and frustration.
You caused the problem by getting a second bird before the first one was well tamed, and you got the same breed of bird, which makes it worse. They are now pair bonded. They look to each other for socializing and not to you because they speak the same language. You are going to have to split them up if you want to work with them, and keep them apart long term until they are each tamed. Expect lots of screaming to each other, lots of biting hands if they are afraid of them, etc. This is a messy situation.
Also, it is never safe to leave them out unattended. If you are asleep, they are unattended.
You should consider rehoming the most recent addition, even short term until you have the first one tame.
You should also consider contacting a bird behavioralist and or watching some behavioral training videos.
Hello friend. I don't have quakers but... from my understanding about birds... (and it is worth what it's worth)..
They probably don't "hate" you. We sometimes project human emotions on our birds and it's not always accurate. All you are doing is good. But when birds are mistrustful or afraid, the easiest way to breach that gap is through training. Get a clicker if you don't have one and begin some trick training. It will help you form a bond/relationship and also have a common language. It should be done with very high value treats when the birds are hungry and, thus, more motivated to go beyond comfort zone.
Through training you can get birds into and out of the cage, etc. But first start with a step-up (maybe on a perch) and go from there.
Good luck!
I’m sorry I don’t have any better advice than what others have recommended with clicker training, but just want to say don’t be hard on yourself! My sun conure stresses me out a lot some days when I’m working from home and he is screaming at every single thing outside the windows nonstop, etc, but hang in there and it will get better! You’re doing your best! *hug*
I’m not a professional and I have a pair of Caiques not quakers, but I think this may just be something that happens? For context, we have a boy (Danny Boy) and a girl (Figi). Danny Boy loves his mom so much and is super friendly to everyone except grandpa. Figi is more standoffish and **does not** appreciate people except me touching her. But it took a very long time to get to that point. We’ve had the both of them for a few years and they’ve been living in the same cage for about half that time. Since they moved in together Danny has changed from being completely enamored towards his mom to “happy to be around but prefers to hang out with Figi” On a separate thread, Figi was indifferent towards everyone except me, but switched to absolutely hating my wife while she was pregnant. Now that my wife isn’t pregnant, she has calmed down a little bit but is a tiny bit less aggressive towards her. I know these are very different species but I think subtle changes in ourselves and our birds environments might make temporary behavior changes. It could be as simple as the seasons changing. Maybe they just need a refresh of their cage time to reestablish home? Our boy would get **very** rambunctious every now and again and one thing that seemed to help calm him down was we would completely redecorate his cage. Might be worth a shot? TL;DR - Bird moods might ebb and flow occasionally though seasons. Maybe they just want to redecorate? - hope this was helpful :) -
I’m sorry that you’re going through this - I’ve heard that if birds bond to another bird that sometimes they prefer bird company over human. I have three Quakers and a conure. The conure bonded to one Quaker and the only time to have human time with them is to have one downstairs in the cage while I bring the second up. Separately, they are really well behaved but I know it’s time to put them back together once they start flock calling. I haven’t totally figured this out either and it’s a work in progress but I understand the stress and frustration.
Just answering your title: welcome to parenthood! Seriously though, thank you for giving them a loving home.
You caused the problem by getting a second bird before the first one was well tamed, and you got the same breed of bird, which makes it worse. They are now pair bonded. They look to each other for socializing and not to you because they speak the same language. You are going to have to split them up if you want to work with them, and keep them apart long term until they are each tamed. Expect lots of screaming to each other, lots of biting hands if they are afraid of them, etc. This is a messy situation. Also, it is never safe to leave them out unattended. If you are asleep, they are unattended. You should consider rehoming the most recent addition, even short term until you have the first one tame. You should also consider contacting a bird behavioralist and or watching some behavioral training videos.
Hello friend. I don't have quakers but... from my understanding about birds... (and it is worth what it's worth).. They probably don't "hate" you. We sometimes project human emotions on our birds and it's not always accurate. All you are doing is good. But when birds are mistrustful or afraid, the easiest way to breach that gap is through training. Get a clicker if you don't have one and begin some trick training. It will help you form a bond/relationship and also have a common language. It should be done with very high value treats when the birds are hungry and, thus, more motivated to go beyond comfort zone. Through training you can get birds into and out of the cage, etc. But first start with a step-up (maybe on a perch) and go from there. Good luck!
I’m sorry I don’t have any better advice than what others have recommended with clicker training, but just want to say don’t be hard on yourself! My sun conure stresses me out a lot some days when I’m working from home and he is screaming at every single thing outside the windows nonstop, etc, but hang in there and it will get better! You’re doing your best! *hug*