Female Budgie Attacking Birds & Owner

[FloodingRain]

My 9 year old female budgie has been moody for the past 3 days. Today she started attacking her "cage-mates/siblings" for no reason. I had to separate her because of this. She also has been biting the heck out of my hands!

She's usually a really loving bird, but I have no clue what is wrong with her. I tried putting her back in her regular cage with the others, but she's still going after them.

Any ideas what's gotten into her?

[LadyLynn]

three days obviously isn't long enough for her to be apart from the others. She could be molting, she could be full of eggs, or she could be tired o not feel good. Keep her seperated until you figure out why she's attacking. It's better to seperate her and have all your birds alove than let her have access to the others and wake up to a dad bird or birds/ on morning.

Its also possible, you may never be able to rehouse her with the others.............

[FloodingRain]

Thanks for your response. What I've noticed is that she is primarily attacking the other female. I tried to put her back today, but both seem to hate each other.

They've never done this in the 4-5 years they've been together!

I hope one day I will be able to house them all together again. =(

[Macawpower58]

Is it possible she could have paired with a male that was in her cage?

The other female/siblings could have been seen as unwanted competition, and/or a threat.

[FloodingRain]

That's what I was thinking as well.

Do you think that after the "heat season" is over it would be possible to house them together again?

[Macawpower58]

When birds 'pair' or 'bond', it is usually for life. She may never take the presence kindly. Have you a thought on which one it could be? Will you allow her to be with her picked mate, if this is the problem?

How large is the cage? Possibly the cage is not large enough. How many birds are sharing it?

[FloodingRain]

There are only 3 birds in the cage, which is pretty large. Two females and one male. They've been together for years, I just find it odd that all of a sudden this has happened.

Prior to this, the male had a partner, but she died a few years ago, and even though there were three females and one male in the cage - they NEVER fought.

It seems that I will have to keep them separate, but do you think I should pick up another male for my other one? Or will that just be worst?

She seems really lonely.

[LadyLynn]

I don't know about that. I think you should let things settle a bit before you start introducting a new bird into a situation like you currently hafe. When the feathers settle and things are calmer then maybe.

It's something to ge studied.

wish you luck