Ain’t love grand? Having somebody to buy presents for, somebody to watch movies with, somebody to bite on the leg when you’re feeling irritated… Oops. Well, maybe love isn’t always grand. At least not if you’re a parrot and it happens to be breeding season.

The breeding season is a wacky time for many parrots. Birds who are super sweet and social all year long can suddenly turn cranky once the raging tide of hormones comes out of nowhere. Here’s one pair of birds for whom that whole hormonal onset has been less than rosy.

Primo and Calliope came to Best Friends a year and a half ago as two of 18 parrots from a bird rescue group in southern Arizona that was forced to close down. A bonded pair of hawkhead parrots, they usually get along perfectly. But even happily married couples have to send each other out of the house now and again to keep the peace. For Primo, that time came around recently when Calliope’s internal clock said breeding season had begun.

For Calliope, the hormones made her one grumpy gal indeed. She picked on Primo to the point where he had to move out for a while. They’re currently living separately though they can still see each other. So for the time being, all they can do is throw verbal insults across the room. They’ll be reunited some time in January once the all-natural chemical mayhem finally takes a back seat.

What’s really fascinating about all of this is the timing. Even though neither of these birds has ever been to South America, their bodies are operating on South American breeding seasons. (Hawkhead parrots come from South America—it’s springtime there.) But everything should be all settled by Valentine’s Day. So hang in there Primo. You can make it!

Story by David Dickson
Photos by Sarah Ause

Parrots are fascinating! And Best Friends has a collection of links and helpful hints about their personalities and behavior. Check out "Educating Yourself on Avian Care and Behavior".

For this story and other great "Sanctuary Stories" go to the Best Friends web site HERE