White headed nuns fighting

welovepets · Post by **welovepets** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:28 pm

Hi I have recently bought a female white headed nun and my male white headed nun seems to be getting quiet aggressive with her. At first he was trying to mate with her ( singing, tail flicking, etc) she continually flew again and now he seems to be pecking at her alot. He is still singing and calling to her but I am concerned at his behaviour as he could hurt her. Does anyone have any advice on these birds as I am very new to this species.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:50 pm

How old is she, could she be to young or just not ready to mate?

JohnBoy · Post by **JohnBoy** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:54 pm

Are you absolutely sure it is a female? Sexes are alike. If you are sure I would put them in a cage with a divider if you have one. That way they can see each other but can't get at each other. And after a few weeks thy them together again.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 9:58 pm

John are there any little differences in the sexes?

welovepets · Post by **welovepets** » Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:59 pm

I am pretty sure she is female as she has a darker head than the male but I am unsure of her age. He started off trying to mate with her ie trying to jump on her back but now he is just pecking at her mainly at her beak. Maybe she could be to young. He is constantly singing which he hasnt done in along time. I have only had her for 2 days if she was ready to mate would she of reciprocated by now or is it to early to tell?
Thank you for your replies

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:12 am

the beak pecking I have seen my zebras do as well as my shaft tails...I think it might be a form of communication, either courtship or display of some sort. I see it displayed when the male is in the mood and upset the female is not responding. It is sort of like the tip to tip of the beaks contact in quick motion.

JohnBoy · Post by **JohnBoy** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:08 am

cindy wrote:John are there any little differences in the sexes?

There are slight differences that take an experienced eye to tell. One of them is that in adult birds the females head is usually duller than the males and the the buff of the nape is more extensive, reaching the crown. I have always had trouble sexing them, but I guess if you have a keen eye these differences can be detected.

Also the hooded nuns I have had in the past were the most peaceful birds ever. I just can't imagine them fighting.

Also where did you manage to find them? They are my most favorite bird in the world.

cindy · Post by **cindy** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:15 am

And to think I passed on a pair of these a couple of years ago

...always on the look out for pairs!

welovepets · Post by **welovepets** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 8:56 am

Thank you everyone for the posts, I will take a pic tomorrow of them both and see what you all think

welovepets · Post by **welovepets** » Mon Aug 01, 2011 7:29 pm

I got him from a girl selling her aviary finches I don't think think she knew how rare they are she sold him rather cheap and we eventually got the hen from a pet store she was the only one in the shop. The attendant told us how rare they are when he had a white nun he searched a long time to find a mate. I feel very blessed to have them (Prince male) has such a beautiful song my partner says it feels like we are in a rainforest.

welovepets · Post by **welovepets** » Tue Aug 02, 2011 8:45 pm

Oh no, just yesterday the munia I thought was a female is starting to call. It isnt as clear as the males song it almost sounds like a duck quaking and its kind of raspy and not as loud. My male is no longer chasing the other bird in the cage. Does anybody know what the female sounds like with her call/song or if they have one at all. I think I may have a young male bird instead of a hen you may be right JohnBoy

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