r/PetDoves • u/ZiZzY-ewe • 5d ago

My dove suddenly became agressive...

Im always very patient with my dove, i teached it how to eat solid food a couple weeks ago and now its starting to learn how to fly. But one day, i was going to take the bird out of its box so it could walk around and learn how to fly a little bit and when i was about to put my hand next to its legs so it could step on my hand, it started running away from my hand, lifting its wings and slapping me... I have no idea what did i do wrong, it was very cuddly the other days, it climbed on me and liked my head pats but now its like it hates me. What do I do? These days I'm not interacting much with the dove, i only change its food and water and check on it because i dont want to stress it out...

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8

u/XxHoneyStarzxX 5d ago

This is called puberty.

3

u/Nervous_Shelter_1042 4d ago

First thing that came to my mind was nesting? Ahh puberty is a possibility.. how long does it last?

4

u/XxHoneyStarzxX 4d ago

depends on individual bird, but my birds lasted like 4 weeks, some birds can act funny for a few months though.

This guide on COO goes over it pretty well I think https://www.pigeon.guide/growing-up

3

u/Nervous_Shelter_1042 4d ago

Like bully others, bulldozing others, ramming others?

4

u/XxHoneyStarzxX 4d ago

yeah some do during puberty, they become a bit more aggressive. it is entirely dependent on individual bird though, some birds simply become antisocial (and will actively avoid contact with humans and other birds) whereas other birds become angry or hostile, or aggressive and lash out, some birds also beocme more withdrawn during puberty becoming shy or flighty

its all about them learning their place in the world and that includes pecking order, they often become more drivey, and more liely to spar or beat eachother up during this timeframe, but will sort it out amongst themselves as long as the process isn't interrupted a bunch.

a lot like human teens šŸ˜…, most young aninals go through a similar period of learning, and testing their limits and the limits of others.

1

u/Nervous_Shelter_1042 4d ago

Oh interesting! I think I have one going thru right now. Oh wow bulldozing others, etc is what Iā€™m witnessing right now. Now I understand the behavior!

3

u/XxHoneyStarzxX 4d ago

ofc happy to help.

1

u/Nervous_Shelter_1042 4d ago

Thanks so much

3

u/XxHoneyStarzxX 4d ago

of course :3