Post by Carol on Jun 16, 2011 14:24:20 GMT -5
Hi,
I have two tiels. One - a female, I've had for probably 9 years. She was a rescue. She had a male partner, who died long ago. Since she was lonely, I introduced her to another tiel - a young one. They have been together for around 6 years. I know the female is female because she laid eggs with her old partner, but abandoned the box when he died. I always assumed the younger one is male because of the trilling/singing. They both chirp, obviously, but this one sings too. What's got me really questioning the sex of the younger one is the way the older one treats him/her. They have a really dysfunctional relationship. She - Roxie - has always been kind of snooty to him, and sometimes hisses and tries to bite his feet if she's annoyed. On the other hand, when I take one of them out without the other, the one left behind chirps like crazy for them, which leads me to believe they are bonded. I had a mated pair of cockatiels before, and witnessed the mating ritual and the actual mating. Roxie acts like she wants to mate, sticking her rump up in the air, and even inviting Moxie to preen her. With past cockatiels, I've always seen the male have to win the female's approval before she will allow him to do that. Roxie, when on her playground on top of the cage, rips up paper and then disappears under the newspaper. She's laid countless eggs over the years, and I've seen her gyrating against the food dish. Is this weird? I thought cockatiels and other species only mated for the purpose of having babies, but it seems like she's masturbating! And then she lays eggs, like I said. Moxie, since I've had him/her, seems to have no interest in Roxie - only me. This is problematic, as he overpreens or feather-plucks because I can't be with him all the time. I don't want to separate the two since they seem bonded, but they also seem to have a really screwy relationship. Roxie doesn't want to be alone, I believe, but doesn't seem crazy about Moxie, although, as mentioned, actively pursued him/her to preen her after being together for about 5 years, along with seeming to invite him/her to mate with her. Moxie has no interest in preening, mating, or any of the things I've traditionally seen pairs do together. I sometimes think he/she may be mentally or emotionally challenged. Can someone please tell me what you think about all of this and give me any recommendations please? They are both healthy birds otherwise and see the vet regularly. Thank you.
I have two tiels. One - a female, I've had for probably 9 years. She was a rescue. She had a male partner, who died long ago. Since she was lonely, I introduced her to another tiel - a young one. They have been together for around 6 years. I know the female is female because she laid eggs with her old partner, but abandoned the box when he died. I always assumed the younger one is male because of the trilling/singing. They both chirp, obviously, but this one sings too. What's got me really questioning the sex of the younger one is the way the older one treats him/her. They have a really dysfunctional relationship. She - Roxie - has always been kind of snooty to him, and sometimes hisses and tries to bite his feet if she's annoyed. On the other hand, when I take one of them out without the other, the one left behind chirps like crazy for them, which leads me to believe they are bonded. I had a mated pair of cockatiels before, and witnessed the mating ritual and the actual mating. Roxie acts like she wants to mate, sticking her rump up in the air, and even inviting Moxie to preen her. With past cockatiels, I've always seen the male have to win the female's approval before she will allow him to do that. Roxie, when on her playground on top of the cage, rips up paper and then disappears under the newspaper. She's laid countless eggs over the years, and I've seen her gyrating against the food dish. Is this weird? I thought cockatiels and other species only mated for the purpose of having babies, but it seems like she's masturbating! And then she lays eggs, like I said. Moxie, since I've had him/her, seems to have no interest in Roxie - only me. This is problematic, as he overpreens or feather-plucks because I can't be with him all the time. I don't want to separate the two since they seem bonded, but they also seem to have a really screwy relationship. Roxie doesn't want to be alone, I believe, but doesn't seem crazy about Moxie, although, as mentioned, actively pursued him/her to preen her after being together for about 5 years, along with seeming to invite him/her to mate with her. Moxie has no interest in preening, mating, or any of the things I've traditionally seen pairs do together. I sometimes think he/she may be mentally or emotionally challenged. Can someone please tell me what you think about all of this and give me any recommendations please? They are both healthy birds otherwise and see the vet regularly. Thank you.
