I had to separate them.

[janelpopp]

So I've had the happily "married" couple Esmerelda(p'let) and Frootloop(parakeet) for a while now. They've lived in the same cage for about 2 months now. Never had a problem with it. They absolutely ADORE each other (mainly Frootloop does all the adoring, and Esmerelda just basks in the glory of being adored).
Today I came home from work. I didn't go upstairs for a while. When I did, I turned on the light and looked over at them, like usual. They were nice and cuddled up against each other, like usual. I couldn't help but think to myself (as usual) "Awww, they're so adorable togethe----wait...somethings not right..."
It took a moment to see what it was. I looked really hard at Esmerelda, and noticed that a bunch of her head feathers were missing. :eek: Not like, a TON ton, but at least 20 or more, enough to see they were gone. It looked bruised in the spots as well. I was SOOOOOO angry!!!!!
Then Frootloop turned his head just a hair, and I noticed he had a scratch on his beak that was never there before. It was scabbed up a bit, as well. Not a big scratch and scab, but big enough to notice it.
I don't know what happened between the two. This never happened with them before. I've NEVER seen them get into a fight.
This obviously happened while I was not around. I feel it's partially my fault, but then again, they've lived happily with each other for 2 months now!! So, I mean, was I wrong to assume they would live happily together and not have problems like THIS? I mean, yeah, a skirmish here or there over food is to be expected, but actually PLUCKING the other bird? And scratching up a beak???
So I had to chase Frootloop out of there, even though he absolutely REFUSED to leave.
They have been separated for a whole hour now, and they hate it. They are still calling to each other, trying to break out of their cages and be with each other. But I will not run the risk of either of them ripping the other to shreds probably over something petty, even if it means their "love life" will be ruined.
Now my only main worry is that neither of them go plucking THEMSELVES.

:(

[catfish]

i know there are some out there that have 2 different species of parrot get along, especially p'let and budgie; however, i would never recommend housing them together in the same cage.

i had 2 p'lets that got along wonderfully for about 3-4 months. Gelato fed Hpnotiq and they preened each other. Made me feel so happy. Well.... then they started to fight, but never when i was around.

Eventually it got so bad, one had a swollen eye and the other a cracked beak. Both healed normally and quickly, but from that point on they were separated. Both flock called to each other, but i couldn't risk another fight like that. So they were housed separately, but next to each other.

I would not house them together if I were you.

[Sondra]

OH gosh nope I would also keep them separated. The p'lets can be very aggressive especially the females I have found out.

[jodeg]

This is usually what happens, that's why we always recommend, when someone is considering getting a second bird, to plan on housing them separately. It may work when they're young, but nature eventually takes over and this is what happens.

They will get used to being separated in time, especially if their cages are near each other so they can chirp back and forth. You could try supervised playtime together, but sometimes that doesn't work either.

No matter how much they call for each other, their safety and well being needs to be your first consideration. I'm glad nothing worse than this happened.

[janelpopp]

I am glad as well that nothing WORSE happened, although I do not like the idea of plucked feathers and a cracked beak. It could very well be waaaaayyy worse. They were fine together for the longest time. They are not taking to separation too well, but I'll not give in if a life can be on the line here. I'll only let them be together when I'm around to watch.

[Crys12065]

I am glad as well that nothing WORSE happened, although I do not like the idea of plucked feathers and a cracked beak. It could very well be waaaaayyy worse. They were fine together for the longest time. They are not taking to separation too well, but I'll not give in if a life can be on the line here. I'll only let them be together when I'm around to watch.

That is a great idea to have supervised playtime for them!
My Parrotlet and my Linnie are best friends but caged seperately. They play together every day but at night reside in there own homes:)

[sprite13]

I'm actually surprised you never heard of this problem before because it actually comes up allot w/ parrotlets and lovebirds. Parrotlets and Lovebirds should NEVER be caged with other birds because they tend to be terrratorial and slightly aggresive, and nothing short of a mating pair should be kept together. Actually, i've even heard stories about birds ending up killing eachother in situations like that!

[janelpopp]

I'm actually surprised you never heard of this problem before because it actually comes up allot w/ parrotlets and lovebirds. Parrotlets and Lovebirds should NEVER be caged with other birds because they tend to be terrratorial and slightly aggresive, and nothing short of a mating pair should be kept together. Actually, i've even heard stories about birds ending up killing eachother in situations like that!

But the thing is, they weren't territorial with each other. They HAPPILY shared a cage with each other, and they wanted to spend every waking hour of the day together. They would freak if they were separated, which is pretty much what they are doing now; trying to get back by the other. They're bestest pals with each other. I don't get what happened between the two where this situation occurred. I mean, they were happily together when I got home, but minus a few feathers and an unscathed beak. I had no choice but to separate them when I saw that.

[catfish]

This is how I see it. Parrotlets are luke passionate people. You partner two passionate people together and they become so intertwined and full of love.... After time, especially if locked in a home together 24 hrs a day/ 7 days a week, that passion shifts. Now they bug you and you want some privacy, but you can't get any bc all the windows and doors are locked. You want the other person to just be quiet and you lash out at them. You don't love them any less but you need your space.

Well, in the wild, if it comes to that, the parrotlet can fly away and five their spouse a break; however, they can't do that in a cage.... Doesn't mean they don't love each other any less, but the parrotlet just needs space. And ther is no way to know when they may burst and lash out, so separation is always advised. Neighbors is your best option

[janelpopp]

This is how I see it. Parrotlets are luke passionate people. You partner two passionate people together and they become so intertwined and full of love.... After time, especially if locked in a home together 24 hrs a day/ 7 days a week, that passion shifts. Now they bug you and you want some privacy, but you can't get any bc all the windows and doors are locked. You want the other person to just be quiet and you lash out at them. You don't love them any less but you need your space.

Well, in the wild, if it comes to that, the parrotlet can fly away and five their spouse a break; however, they can't do that in a cage.... Doesn't mean they don't love each other any less, but the parrotlet just needs space. And ther is no way to know when they may burst and lash out, so separation is always advised. Neighbors is your best option

Hmm good advice. But this happened after her wings grew back and where I didn't have to have the cage closed 24/7. I was able to keep it open 24/7. So they could've given each other sufficient space if needed. I mean, I totally agree with what you say, but they could've removed themselves from the situation, for the cage was open. Unless one or the other just wasn't getting the hint to back off, and it turned into a fight with them both...???

[enborgle]

Unless one or the other just wasn't getting the hint to back off, and it turned into a fight with them both...???

I think you hit the nail on the head here. Parrotlets don't have the cognitive skills to consider their options - they live in the here and now. If their here and now is that you're in my face, the fact that the door is open would never cross their little minds.