Generally speaking, there are two stages that an Eclectus Parrot goes through when it is growing up, and I would like to look at and comment on those two stages in this article.
Firstly I refer to what I have called The Terrible Twos which in the case of the Eclectus Parrot happens between approx. 3 to 6 months. During this time they tend to be a bit on the naughty side, seeing just how far they can go with their owner or breeder.
You must not let him get away with anything as this will make him think that he is the boss in the relationship. I don’t mean that you must punish him, just be quite firm so that he knows that you are the boss. Some experts have suggested that letting your parrot sit on your shoulder during this time is not a good idea, because physically they will be higher than you, and this may lead them to think that they are the dominant one.
The stage in your parrot’s developement is reached at about 9 months old and it is what is sometimes referred to as puberty. They can have very strong emotions which can last for two to three years.
Of the two growing stages, this one is often the hardest for the owner to deal with, because it lasts the longest. The good news is that unless your Eclectus parrot has been demonstrating poor behavior before this period, he will grow out of it, just as most teenagers do. During this time, you may notice extreme mood swings, screaming that takes place more often, shadow boxing, and even masturbation. It is also during this time, of course, that the Eclectus parrot will start showing obvious interest in the opposite sex.
The key to getting through both of these trying times is patience ” just as though you were dealing with a human child. However, discipline really isnt suggested, since the Eclectus parrot wont understand it. Instead, encourage more appropriate behavior, and understand that your beloved bird will outgrow these awkward stages, and he will become the bird that youve grown to love once again.
Related posts:
Recent Comments