Parakeet Love - Wooing and Fighting

User Question
I now have two parakeets which you suggested to me in an earlier email. They LOVE each other. The more aggresive one, who I believe to be the male, pecks at the female constantly. They also kiss constantly. This is okay, however, I am afraid of him pecking her eyes, as he comes quite close. Is there a way to prevent this. Any suggestions? Thanks. Or am I worrying for nothing?

Lisa's Answer
I put a page up for you on parakeet interactions here -

http://www.lisashea.com/petinfo/articles/bird_courtship.html

The kissing is actually seed-sharing, it's how mommy parakeets take care of their babies and how partners take care of each other. Parakeets also actively preen each other, especially around the eyes where it's hard for them to itch themselves. On the other hand, when parakeets are feeling grumpy they lash out with a 'go away you jerk!' kind of bite. It's the only way they can emphasize that they want to be left alone.

So it really depends on what you mean by pecking. If it's just preening and occasional "I'm in charge here!" pecking order types of things, that's normal. But if he is actually drawing blood, pulling out feathers or harming her, it might be time to get them two cages for a little while until he learns some more social behavior!

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