r/linnie

Hello everyone, I need some advice and opinions.

In 2019 I got my first linnie (Pippin). He was wild and it took me a year to get him used to humans. After that he was very happy and bonded to me. Because I never wanted him to be alone, the moment I was able to, I got him a friend. in 2020 (Nubby). He came from a hand raised family, so arrived tame. and before puberty was the gentlest soul.

I kept them separate for the first month, then slowly introduced them. the new bird (nubby), got really attached to the older bird (pippin). But Pippin remained focused on me.

This went on for about 5 years, until nubby suddenly became extremely violent, aggressive and would not stop screaming.

His health was fine, nothing had changed in our house hold. Pippin and nubby were happy together. though pippin did prefer to stay near me. Nubby used to be chill and he would sit near pippin as much as possible. There were never any fights. And they always preened each other and slept together in the corner of the cage.

I tried to do everything right by them, proper food, proper size cage, 12 hours of sleep. 8 hours a day outside of the cage play time. anything that I could find to improve their lives and health I tried to do.

But the aggression came out of nowhere, nubby had not had any traumatic events, or been mistreated by a human. He was loved by me and my partner, and as well by pippin.

His agression got worse and worse, evne though we tried to follow guides and tips and tricks from professional bird owners and experts. nothing helped.

unfortunately pippin ended up dying from cancer 2 months ago. and nubby has been alone ever since.

His behavior has gotten even worse in the wake of his partner dying. Which is totally understandable.

But I just don't think I can make him happy. After he came out of puberty he never liked humans to begin with. and would avoid us at all costs.

I'm in two minds about this. I truly want him to be happy healthy and with birds of his own kind.

But I have been told that his incredibly aggressive and bad behavior will be detrimental for a new baby bird, and he will be taught the wrong behavior from an early on age. And the last thing I want is two birds who are violent and agressive.

Nubby will fly at my face and try to peck out my eyes, bite my lip nose ears and cheek as well as any other human part he can get to. he also constantly screams almost the entire time he is a wake. Which none of my other linnies have ever done. I'm afraid he is in a constant state of panic or something else that is not positive.

He is never provoked, and always treated with respect and gentleness. I've done my absolute best to get him to be happy but I am afraid that I can simply not be what he needs.

Do you think he would be happier with his own kind in a aviary?

As he seems to really dislike humans. I don't want to cause him any more stress or sadness or frustration or anxiety. It breaks my heart to see him so upset. And it's been that way for 1,5 years now. With obviously the death of his friend not helping.

I want what is best for my birds at all cost. Even if it means having to sent them to someone who knows better, and can provide more.

please, any advice or opinions will be helpful. I love my bird so much. but it is not enough if it means I am what causes his stress.

Is it okay for me to do them back or is it an angry noise which he’ll take offence to??

I have previously mainly had our vet trim the nails, or the groomer. However, I'm considering trying to do it myself mainly due to costs and convenience (groomer is far away).

I used to trim my cockatiel's nails (years and years ago, he's since passed) but they seemed much larger footed and easier to work with for some reason.

• Curious if other linnie parents trim their birb's nails, or if you have a groomer/vet do it?
• And, if you have the groomer do it, about how much do you pay per trim?