I have been noticing some strange things going on with Doyle lately. He will be one year old in June (not sure the exact hatchdate). I just want to know what everyone thinks.

The first thing is he randomly takes flight. He just got two new flight feathers (he came to us clipped in October and really only flies when he wants me or Evan's attention). But he will randomly take off and do a lap through the kitchen and land somewhere strange, one day on the blinds and yesterday he almost ran into a wall. Nothing seems to trigger his flying (no loud sounds that scared him or anything) and I was wondering if he is just learning how to really fly or if this is normal. He just flaps around to nowhere like a madman. I am guessing he is just learning how to fly but it seemed all this flying just happened overnight. But then again Danny and Prinny have started taking random flights around the house (just not as often) after they got new flight feathers. I hope some of this made sense and I don't sound like an idiot wondering why my bird is flying, lol.

Another thing is he has become so nippy! He isn't really that bad until it is time to go into his cage at night. Is there anything I can do to break him of this. I try to ignore it but man it hurts like heck sometimes!

I almost forgot the last one. Sometimes when I am holding him he rubs himself on my hand. I didn't know birds did stuff like that, lol. He also likes to back his butt into me. Not sure if anyone has had this happen to them before.

Sounds to me like hormones - you're baby is growing up! The rubbing up on you for sure - I've never had that happen with my guys (Jerry humps his boing though) but I've heard of that happening. I would also guess that the nippiness is due to hormones as well. The flying could have something to do with it, but I'm not sure. I know that when my guys are moodier or crankier than normal and when I think it's either not enough sleep or hormonal swings, I do encourage them to exercise more and it does seem to relieve some tension.

It sure sounds like hormones to me also. Try having a small stuffed toy in your hand when you take him back to his cage, if he wants to be nippy, let him get his nips in on the toy instead of you.

Both of mine have also been ornery and are freely handing out pinches and nips right now. Tis' the season, we should start seeing it subside in about a month or so.

I know I am going to get alot of flack on this one BUT, I believe one of the reasons for his nippyness is due to his independence, i.e. his flying gives him the opportunity to come and go as he pleases. Your one statement that he almost hit the wall is just one reason why I advocate cutting those flight feathers. Can you imagine the damage he could have done to himself had he actually hit the wall. You said your other guys are also flying - other dangers hitting mirrors, windows, ceiling fans, not to mention the door being opened and out they go! No bird leaves my adoption program without a good trimming of those flight feathers and I advise those adopting to keep them trimmed due to the dangers I have listed. I know you're going to get alot of advice on this one, but ultimately the decision is your's. Good luck!

Learning to fly as flight feathers grow in does have a learning curve, meaning that there will be some crashes and crash landings as they learn to gauge their speed, landing, and turning. Especially if they weren't fledged as a baby. If confined to a smaller room/area, they will be able to figure out flying skills and not be able to gain enough speed to do real damage. And generally once they get the basic skills down as well as the layout of the house, crashes aren't a factor.

All of mine are flighted, and they do possess an independence - but not overly so - , as does any animal that can come and go as they please. I believe that frustration of NOT being able to go where they please would lead to more nippiness - IMO. Lulu is a very skittish bird, spooks at noises (such as phones ringing on the TV) and she does NOT crash at all, she circles until she calms down. It took her the longest to get the basic flight skills down (don't know if she was fledged, I'm guessing no), but she worked and worked at them and she's now a superb flier.

I understand what you are saying about running into the wall, it scared me half to death. But I really feel like the benefits of flying outweigh the risks. I want him to be independent and confident. I guess I was wondering if it is normal while learning to fly for him to act so spastic? And just randomly shoot across the room? And how long does it take before they become pros in flying? Almost all his landings are smooth.

And I will try using a small stuffed animal when putting him back in his cage. He was good this morning and didn't nip. I am also going to try putting him to bed earlier.

Lulu used to be very spastic and shoot across the room. It really took her longer than the budgie boys to master all flight skills - especially when spooked. I can't remember a time frame though. And now someone who watches her fly who has never been to my house might think she looks spastic, but she is actually controlled - she flies much differently than the budgies, it's kind of hard to describe. She does tricks where she will make sharp turns and dips and it looks different than when the budgies do tricks. But she is still controlled and graceful - but it did take her awhile to get to that point.

Sure sounds like hormones as far as the nipping and rubbing, or at least early stages of puberty. With regard to the spastic flights, Quito and Tausi also do this at times. Quito's landings are always controlled, Tausi's usually not so great, but he's learning.

My opinion is that these spontaneous "flight bursts" seem to usually be a case of spooking, even though you don't notice what caused it. They are incredibly observant. Sometimes if I'm quick enough, I'll just catch a hint of shadow from a passing crow. Remember their sight goes well beyond our color range, and probably their hearing as well. I can usually tell if Quito is spooked, because she alarm calls when she takes off. Sometimes one spooks just because the other one did (flock behavior). Sometimes I think they just get the urge to go!

Good idea, that should help also.

I agree with this. Ollie is now an excellent flier, but every once in awhile she'll take off fast and out of control, and overshoot her landing. Most of the time I can figure out what it was that spooked her, but sometimes I can't.

There is definitely a learning curve with flying, or flying well anyways. Ollie hit a few windows, had some rough falls to the floor, and hit toys and perches when trying to land, but practice makes perfect. I can't even remember the last time she ran into something mid-flight. An experienced flier who knows the layout of the house isn't going to randomly hit things.