🚀 go-pugleaf

Mark, in this situation, I would separate the pair into two cages for
awhile.  This aggression is not normal for this species.  It's
probably due to the stress of the move.  I would put them within
eyesight of each other and gradually move the cages closer together
until you do not see any aggression.  

Another option is to place the male in a "howdy cage", which is a cage
within the flight.  This allows the hen to establish her territory as
the whole flight and the male gets a chance to get to know her without
getting at her.  After all signs of aggression cease and the two
settle down, let him out with supervision.

Good luck.

Cathy

>I just bought a pair of paleheaded rosellas a week ago.  They were
>living in a large aviary with many of their own and other rosella
>species.  They are now in a cage about 50cm (20inch) square, and 60cm
>(24inch) high.  (I did ask the guy if he thought they would adapt to
>living in a smaller cage).
>
>About 5 times a day, and for about 5 minutes in duration, the male
>will jump at the female.  If he catches her he gives a bite, she
>squawks and jumps away, and the whole process repeats.
>
>What is this behaviour?  Is he trying to breed, is he asserting his
>dominance, or is he just a bastard?  Nb: I did see him *once* put one
>foot on the female's back (but for about a second before she moved
>away).
>
>Any help greatly appreciated.
>
>Mark.

The cage in which you are keeping these birds is totally unsuitable for this
species, or any of the Rosellas.  Rosella cocks are aggressive toward the
hen at this time of year in Australia (spring/breeding season) and dominant
at all other times.  The aggression is usually intended to drive the hen
toward or into the nest.  This behaviour in the absence of a nestbox and in
the size of cage you describe is a recipe for disaster.  You, and I suggest
the person who sold you these birds knowing the size of cage they were
destined for, need to do some hasty research into this species.

The Platycercus group (Rosellas) and their relatives the Barnardius species'
(Australian Ringnecks) show no affection toward their mates whatsoever, only
feeding regurgitated food to the hen usually as a precursor to mating.  That
is why, compared to other more suitable species available they make poor
pets.  These birds could only be kept in a colony situation as immature
birds but need to be separated before reaching maturity.  However the aviary
size is critical as mature pairs are fiercely territorial and need to be
housed seperately.  Unpaired adults housed together face increased stress
and need enough space to avoid each other.  Rosellas can be kept in a
suspended aviary, but it is an aviary they need.

The degree of aggression toward the hen and the level of tolerance of other
Rosella types in their nesting territory does vary between species.  But
that's another story.

First, you'll need an aviary, and a Rosella type nestbox, and try not to
feed much or any sunflower seed unless they're breeding as Rosellas are
prone to obesity.
(Sunflower seed is ideal for feeding chicks i.e. fat & protein)

Unfortunately, anyone can keep birds in any conditions they choose without
regard for the birds' welfare, but you must try to provide ideal conditions
suitable for the species and without inflicting any stress whatsoever on the
birds.

Regards
Lyle Holmes,
EDITOR
Parrot Society of Australia News.
www.parrotsociety.org.au

: You, and I suggest the person who sold you these birds knowing the size
: of cage they were destined for, need to do some hasty research into this
: species.

The person I bought them from is a guy in his 70s who has been keeping
birds all his life.  Obviously we can't all be EDITORs of bird magazines,
but I was, and still am, prepared to accept his judgement.

: First, you'll need an aviary, and a Rosella type nestbox, and try not to
: feed much or any sunflower seed unless they're breeding as Rosellas are
: prone to obesity.
: (Sunflower seed is ideal for feeding chicks i.e. fat & protein)

Let me now give you some advice.  If you want a person you don't know to
take your instructions seriously, it would be better not to attack their
actions first.  Instead, a more polite tone, suggestful instead of
forceful, is called for.  Then I'm more likely to go "Oh, really, ok
then", instead "yeah, fuck off mate" as I'm doing now, no matter how
accurate your information is. 

: Unfortunately, anyone can keep birds in any conditions they choose without
: regard for the birds' welfare, but you must try to provide ideal conditions
: suitable for the species and without inflicting any stress whatsoever on the
: birds.

Haven't seen that behaviour for a while now.  Perhaps they're settling
down to their new home.

: Regards
: Lyle Holmes,
: EDITOR
: Parrot Society of Australia News.
: www.parrotsociety.org.au

Indeed.

Mark.

Mark Leet wrote:
> <a whole lot of angry words because someone who gave>
> <advice he requested *may* have been slightly judgemental, so said
> <advice was discarded>

Lighten up Mark. The info was hardly judgemental of yourself (more
of the guy who sold you the birds saying they would adapt).

Seemed to me to be some of the most constructive non-judgemental
advice I've seen on any ng in a long time, and from someone
with the qualifications to give it.

Do what I now do (after making similar hasty angry replies - 
remember me Shane Barker?). Leave it 24 hours, and reread the
advice without trying to read something into it. Then reply.

And how about an update on the birds in a couple of weeks time. I
have no interest in owning birds, but that doesn't mean I'm not
interested in how they get on (shit, this ng is too quiet as it
is).

Cheers
Marc

Marc (marc@parknmeter.wow.aust.com) wrote:
: Mark Leet wrote:
: > <a whole lot of angry words because someone who gave>
: > <advice he requested *may* have been slightly judgemental, so said
: > <advice was discarded>
: 
: Lighten up Mark. The info was hardly judgemental of yourself (more
: of the guy who sold you the birds saying they would adapt).
: 
: Seemed to me to be some of the most constructive non-judgemental
: advice I've seen on any ng in a long time, and from someone
: with the qualifications to give it.

You are the gentle ying to my raging yang.  Thank you for the comments.

But you see how more willing I am to take your advice when it was given in
a polite manner instead of "The cage you are keeping the birds in is
totally inappropriate" as the first sentence, and "you, and the person who
sold you the birds, should do some hasty research" later on.  And sure,
it's a petty thing, but does he really need to have EDITOR in all caps?

Mark,
STUDENT.

How about I put you and your missus in the cage and see how you behave

Mark Leet wrote:
> 
> I just bought a pair of paleheaded rosellas a week ago.  They were
> living in a large aviary with many of their own and other rosella
> species.  They are now in a cage about 50cm (20inch) square, and 60cm
> (24inch) high.  (I did ask the guy if he thought they would adapt to
> living in a smaller cage).
> 
> About 5 times a day, and for about 5 minutes in duration, the male
> will jump at the female.  If he catches her he gives a bite, she
> squawks and jumps away, and the whole process repeats.
> 
> What is this behaviour?  Is he trying to breed, is he asserting his
> dominance, or is he just a bastard?  Nb: I did see him *once* put one
> foot on the female's back (but for about a second before she moved
> away).
> 
> Any help greatly appreciated.
> 
> Mark.