1 likes me, 1 hates me, and 1 ignores me

[Roxy_9_2011]

I volunteer at a bird store/shelter that sells baby birds from respected breeders and also will take in any unwanted (or "no longer can have" birds) and try to find them new homes. They currently have 3 Hyacinth Macaws with 3 totally different personalities.
~There is Heidi who is only kind to 4 people (seriously no more) and I am not one of them, however if I leave her be she leaves me so we respect each other in that fashion.
~Then there is Priela who really likes me and will jump on the floor with me (copies what I do) and if in the mood she'll find her way on my arm when I'm not paying attention lol. The only thing I need to be careful is when she thinks it's funny to knock her large beak on my head.
~Last, but not least, we have Azul. Azul HATES me. For 2 days in a row he found a way to the floor and went charging towards me to attack. (feathers standing up on the back of his head). Granted I did back up fast both times he charged and I know that gave him more confidence, ugh. If I stand anywhere near his cage he will either try to attack me through the bars, or tries to be smart and sticks his foot out to grab me and bring me closer to bite me. (He is known to be cage aggressive so you can factor that part in) No he hasn't bitten me yet and I REALLY don't want to get bit by a Hyacinth's beak of course
-So I am asking for any ideas, suggestions, and support on how to at least have Azul not want to attack me. I know we'll never be best friends but I shouldn't have to be always looking out for him to attack whenever I'm there helping the store, right? Please any suggestions would be helpful

P.S. I can put a pic of myself with Priela if anyone is interested?

 

[roxynoodle]

Oh, I think we are all always interested in pics, especially of Hyacinths.

I'm not sure what you do when a bird hates you. They often don't change their minds. There is a Quaker at my vet's that stalks me every time I'm there. Luckily for me she is not a big bird though. And usually she attacks my feet, though once she went for my arm. And until I met Pete, every previous amazon I have ever met wanted to attack me. I never thought I'd have one, lol!

I dunno, we each have our own birds that love us, and birds that don't I guess.

Speaking of amazons, I laughed when I read about the one that wants to knock you in the head with it's beak, and Pete laughed, too.

My Blue Crown conure hated my ex fiance and never changed her mind in 2 years of his living here. He gave her all her favorite foods everyday, and she still hated him.

 

[luvmytooo]

Oh my goodness ! Im sorry for laughing , but that is quite funny to picture a Hy knocking his beak against yours for a laugh ! Again , Im sorry , but that is funny
But scary all the same , I wouldnt want to get bit by that beak either !! OMG !

I'm sorry I cant be of help to you , but you are in the right place . Keep checking for new posts , Im sure someone will be able to help you.
Post as many pictures as you can !!!

 

[BillsBirds]

I've taken in birds that did not like me, and usually won them over with food. But, that was on a 1 to 1 relationship. They were in my house, and only had me to deal with. I'd say try giving favored treats, and see if you can get on his good side. Also, try not to show that he is intimidating you. But, don't infuriate him either. If the treats don't work, you may have to just accept that he won't like you. BTW, as a fellow rescuer of birds, let me thank you for your good work with our feathered friends.

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

So let's say I am near Azul's cage because I'm feeding a bird whose cage is right next to him. Should I outright ignore him, tell him "no" if he puts his foot out to grab me, etc.? Is it bad to try and talk to him nicely when he is in his cage (while he is trying to bite me through the bars)?

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

Oh, I think we are all always interested in pics, especially of Hyacinths.

Sorry if this picture is too dark, it was taken with a cell phone camera.

Also note, I am a lp (little person) so Priella looks extra big being on me lol. I have achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism (there's over 200 types). ***Please refrain from using the term "midget" when responding to this photo as it is a derogatory term.***
......I'm off my pedestal now lol. Thanks



[The staff at the store think because I am small, that is why Azul may not like me...]

 

[luvmytooo]

Oh cool picture , thanks for sharing.
I have no idea why Azul doesnt like you though....thats sad because he doesnt know what a good friend he is missing out on.

 

[Rio Mom]

Will Azul maybe take food treats from you through the bars? Try to win him over with food? Being bitten by a beak that big is definately a scarey thought! Would love to see more pictures of them all.

 

[Anna]

Umm, what is Azul's back story? If he has had bad experiences with children could that be influencing his behaviour towards you?

 

[MikeyTN]

Sometimes there's no explanation why they are aggressive towards certain people, they find certain people they're more fond of and try to bond with that specific person. I've tried for years with Willie my B&G to stop doing that towards my partner and Willie just doesn't stop. Now Java our U2 is doing the same exact thing. So far I don't have any of them doing that to me yet as I stand my ground. But I surely would be afraid to get bitten by a Hyacinth Macaw. Maybe just try to stay clear of that one.

 

[suebee]

So let's say I am near Azul's cage because I'm feeding a bird whose cage is right next to him. Should I outright ignore him, tell him "no" if he puts his foot out to grab me, etc.? Is it bad to try and talk to him nicely when he is in his cage (while he is trying to bite me through the bars)?

yup to the NO an ignore, from my experiance with nut, when she wanted a chunk outta who ever, she's rather take your fingers then a treat

it then becomes a he wants your attention, his gonna have to be nice! this was best tactic with nut, but beware they can be a little sneaky, act all oh give me a head squitch :10: then lol

 

[roxynoodle]

Yes, it could be he finds children frightening because they run, jump and scream. If that is the case that he may think you are a child, maybe he will figure out you aren't because you aren't acting like one.

But, it could be all kinds of things we don't understand. It can be your hair color, your voice, or even something only he knows.

Rowdy seems to prefer blondes, but she screams at redheads. She also flirts with men, but she is pretty good with women. I've had her the longest so I know more about who she likes/doesn't like. She also likes loud people, and people who have mental instabilities, but my other conure hated those people.

I haven't Merlin very long, and she has mostly interacted with the people at the vet's office due to all her health issues. She likes both vets, one woman and one man, but seems to hate all the female vet assistants for whatever reason. She was very nervous about my mentally disabled cousin, but I think she knew she was scared of birds.

So far Pete has not been chummy with strangers other than one of the vet assistants. He got right on her arm and tried to cuddle against her. She does kind of resemble me.

So far every Quaker I've ever met hates me, lol! And most amazons. I think it might just be best for me to try to avoid them, lol!

Good luck to you, and I sure hope you don't get bitten. If it were me, I would probably just ask someone else to take care of that bird. My experience is they usually don't change their minds, and can even manage to get hold of you while feeding or cleaning the cage. My sister had a Meyer's that hated me, and she would leave him with me when she went on vacation. Just feeding him was frightening and he was not a large bird.

 

[luvmytooo]

MickeyZTnis right , maybe the best thing for you to do is steer clear of that one.
You have to put your own safety first , i know you want to help him , but maybe its best you leave that up to someone else. Im sure you can find other birds that could use your help and attention

 

[Spiritbird]

I would just not pay him any mind. If he wants your attention you will know.

 

[MikeyTN]

MickeyZTnis right , maybe the best thing for you to do is steer clear of that one.
You have to put your own safety first , i know you want to help him , but maybe its best you leave that up to someone else. Im sure you can find other birds that could use your help and attention

You've made a new name for me....lol....

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

Umm, what is Azul's back story? If he has had bad experiences with children could that be influencing his behaviour towards you?

Yes the staff think that Azul may have been mistreated by kids in the past. Which I can totally understand why he may think I am going to bother him. Currently I am giving him a treat through the bars and he'll only take it if it's a Brazil nut.

 

[Roxy_9_2011]

Thank you everyone for giving suggestions! The manager does take care of his cage and water and food. He really likes her (or course). I'll just probably ignore him for now, but I'll try giving him a brazil nut through the cage and see what that does.

 

[luvmytooo]

MickeyZTnis right , maybe the best thing for you to do is steer clear of that one.
You have to put your own safety first , i know you want to help him , but maybe its best you leave that up to someone else. Im sure you can find other birds that could use your help and attention

You've made a new name for me....lol....

Ooops I'm so sorry It was early and I was typing with my eyes closed , lolol. :52:

 

[roxynoodle]

I don't think there's anything wrong with trying to make friends with him by giving him treats. Pete wasn't immediately thrilled with me, but I'm sure leaving your home of 28years is very stressful. I just decided to give him all the time he needed, and if a year went by and he hated me, I would try to find him a home with someone he liked. He did decide after 2 days to make friends with me, but he probably also thought he was kind of stuck with me. Now he loves me though.

Just keep yourself safe though if this bird decides not to make friends. I have to admit, having something his size trying to bite me would be pretty frightening! My sister's little Meyer's was very fast and would rip into you if he got you! When she asked me to take him because he hated her husband I had to decline. I said I don't think I'm the right owner for him. And how sad it would be if I couldn't let him out, or even clean his cage good, or take him to the vet.

At least the little Quaker isn't actually trying to rip me up considering she is loose in the vet's office and has access to me whenever I'm there. And trust me, the second I come in the door, she knows and is right there.

 

[JJones1719]

Macaws are funny as to whom they bond with, sometimes a Macaw prefer Male over female or female to male.
Knowing the Macaws background really helps understand who they are and how they got to the place where they are at.
Remember, Macaws live in flocks and there is only one Alfa Macaw that rules, if you want to bond with this Macaw, you too have to become the alfa. Backing down or giving into the fear of being biten is showing the Hy that he is the alfa in your relationship.
If he is in his cage and trys to bite you or stick his foot out to grab you, stand your ground, perhaps turn your back towards him as if he is no threat to you.
If he gets on the ground and runs after you to attack, do not run away or react, stand your ground, yell NO in a loud stern voice. Most Macaws bluff and when they are called on it, they normally back down. HY Macaws are prey animals and it is in their nature to either fight or flight, if it is easier for the Macaw to fly away then to fight, they will fly or run the other way.
I've heard of some people using toys to place between you and the Macaw when they are aggressive, this way, the Macaw bites the toy and not you.
I agree with the early statement, using food to bond with the Macaw is important but more important, this HY as to see you first as the alfa then learn to trust you, that's when the food comes in. Be strong and do not back down. Best of luck and love the photo. Joe