Dealing with Jealousy in Birds

Do your birds fight like siblings? Is your bird jealous of another family member? Birds can get jealous and territorial, but with the right steps, it is possible to ease the tension and counteract your bird's jealously.

Small birds can often become jealous of another bird in the household, a family member, or even one of his toys! The key is to try and show your bird that having the other bird or family member around is a positive thing. Try giving your bird a treat when the other bird or family member is around, and don't give treats when the person or other bird isn't around. Hopefully, your bird will start associating the bird or person with positive things.

Jealousy Over Another Bird

If your bird is jealous of another bird, don't cage them together. They may work things out over time, but it is best to keep them apart until you are sure. Be observant and let them interact outside of their cages. If this goes smoothly, you may consider housing them together in a bigger cage. Don't house them in a cage that belonged to either bird, or their territoriality may surface again.

Multiple birds may get into conflict over pair bonding. If a bird feels like he has to compete for attention or a certain female, the situation may end in fighting, biting, and feather plucking. It is best to cage these birds separately.

Jealousy Over Another Person

Birds can become jealous of a family member or another person in your life. In this type of situation, the key is to have the person establish a special relationship with the bird. Give the person certain tasks in caring for the bird, such as bathing, feeding, or training. Perhaps there is a special treat the bird only receives from the family member. In addition, show your bird you disapprove of his negative behavior and jealousy. If he becomes aggressive or hostile, turn your back to show him his behavior is unacceptable.

Be cautious of your attitude and actions toward the other person. If your bird senses you don't have a good relationship with the person, conflict between them is more likely. If the person and bird are able to form their own special relationship, they will bond over time and the jealousy should subside.

Prepare Your Bird for Change

If your household is going to change, make sure to thoroughly prepare your bird. If your bird's cage or play area needs to be moved due to the arrival of a new baby or pet, make sure to move the cage in advance to give the bird time to acclimate. If adding a new baby to the household, let your bird help set up the crib and get the baby's room ready, possibly using a doll as a prop. Make slight adjustments in your bird's life—introduce him to the baby's room, the doll, and eventually the actual baby. Explain to him what is going on, making sure to talk in a positive tone. When the new baby or person does come home, help your bird feel like a significant part of the family. Instead of bringing the baby into the bird's room, hold the bird and bring him to the baby. If your bird is being affectionately held by his favorite person, he is less likely to feel threatened by a newcomer.

Dealing with bird jealously can be a frustrating and long process, but preparing for upcoming changes and using positive reinforcement should lead to success!

Discover More!

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How to Train a Bird Using Positive Reinforcement

Tips for Owning Multiple Birds

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