Gouldian behavior

[a_gouldian]

We have a new pair (since Sept.) of Red-headed Gouldians. They are on their second clutch (3 chicks, 4 weaned from the first clutch). The male has this habit when they have eggs or chicks (the chicks are 6 days old today) if he is out of the nest box between 7-8pm of doing this high pitched single note call. She appears to not like it and after awhile she comes barging out of the nest box and chases him back and forth until he goes down to the ground in a corner of the cage in a submissive position. He looks like he is going to have a heart attack. She will then go back in the nest box. Lights go out at 8pm. In the morning they are always in the nest box together and everything is fine all day long with good parenting team work.

Does anyone know what this behavior is about? Could it be she just doesn't like him doing that high pitched call repeatedly when she is in the nest box?

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

I wonder if the call he's doing, is a 'come hither' call to attract other females.

You know what they say, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

She probably thinks: Here I am laying eggs for him, feeding his kids, sitting in this darn nest day after day after day, without a break, and he's off tootin' away at some other females

[a_gouldian]

a_gouldian

I wonder if the call he's doing, is a 'come hither' call to attract other females.

You know what they say, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

She probably thinks: Here I am laying eggs for him, feeding his kids, sitting in this darn nest day after day after day, without a break, and he's off tootin' away at some other females

Could be. She is really intense when she does this.

Yesterday for the first time since incubation and the chicks were born they were both out of the nest for about 30 minutes and they were on a dowel perch doing the courtship routine. He started hopping up and down and then lowered and was shaking his head and she was shaking her head at him. I hope she doesn't start laying eggs again until the chicks have fledged. Not sure how that would work out with her.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

It does happen.

I used to joke about these smart Mamas, using their chicks to incubate their next clutch

[a_gouldian]

a_gouldian

It does happen.

I used to joke about these smart Mamas, using their chicks to incubate their next clutch

Well this hen is not the smartest There was a large tossed chick this morning that we put back in the nest. I suspect it was her. The crops are not very full this morning and she is flying around, eating a bit, goes back in the nest but only stays about a minute. He looks in the nest but so far haven't seen him go in. She is acting very energetic. This is very different behavior from their first clutch.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

Oh dear, are they still feeding?

[a_gouldian]

a_gouldian

Oh dear, are they still feeding?

I am not sure. She is sitting in the nest a lot, and he goes in occasionally, the chicks are begging. Once in a while they will both be out for a few minutes but I don't want to bother them now by looking in the nest box. Maybe later today. I think we might just let nature take it's course here.

[a_gouldian]

I was just in the bird room and he was on a branch chirping and she came out and chased him. While they both were out of the nest I looked in the nest box and the chicks are being fed. I think she just may be one crazy bird!!!

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

Glad to hear that the babies are being fed .

Regarding being a crazy bird, lol. Don't we all have one.... or four or five????

[a_gouldian]

a_gouldian

Glad to hear that the babies are being fed .

Regarding being a crazy bird, lol. Don't we all have one.... or four or five????

It seems that she wants total control over the nest. He is now outside on a perch on the other end of the cage. I hope she can manage those chicks on her own. Time will tell.

[lovezebs]

a_gouldian

I forget, how many chicks? If it's 5 or less, she should be fine, even 6 should be ok.

Sometimes we don't know the whole story.
For all we know, buddy boy might be trying to toss the chicks and start on round #2, and she's protecting her babies.