Aggressive behavior

[jkeasterly]

I bought a 2yr old green cheek 4 days ago. The lady that gave him to me said he was handfed and she got him directly from the breeder. Apparently, birdie had a biting problem and some cage aggression which she no longer wanted to deal with. So I knew this going in.

The first couple days he was really outgoing and friendly. Everyone could hold him. He wants scratches. He was curious and seemed to be particularly attached to me, leaning toward me and fluttering his wings signaling me to pick him up. Even using my wife as a vehicle to get to me.

Then he started not wanting to get off my shoulder, which led to him biting progressively harder. He went on a rampage once and really drew blood.

Ever since then he isnt allowed on shoulders. He has become more aggressive in the last two days.

Since then we have moved to short interactions where we play the step up game for praise and pineapple. But even during a very brief session he bit me so hard I was shocked. He was really mad.

My question is this; is it just a 2yr old green cheek thing? Will he grow out of it? Hormones? He isnt fear biting, he is bossy biting. He's trying to manipulate and be in charge.

I totally realize it has only been 4 days. I should say that we planned to acclimate him slowly and leave him alone. We didnt encourage him to get on our shoulders. When I pick him up I have to maneuver to keep him from getting up there.


I'm totally fine with playing the long game and having whatever kind of relationship circumstances allow. Just curious about other people's experience with gcc. I've never had a parrot go backwards in human interaction. Maybe it's more common than I thought?

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[lollipoppy]

Some birds do this thing when they move into a new home where they play “people pleaser” in an effort to save themselves from being hurt. I.e “look at how cute I am! Surely you don’t want to eat me!?”

Then once they settle in, they grow more comfortable biting to assert themselves.

It sounds like your bird has not been taught how to effectively communicate with humans and is now experiencing stress and frustration in not knowing how to communicate.

Target training is a great way to start communicating with your bird, as well as using the same command every time. You can also respect their boundaries, which you will learn to identify as you spend more time with your bird. So, let’s say your bird is really not wanting to play with you, you might see this in how they behave in the cage. Rather than trying to force them to play at that time, instead you wouldn’t even offer it. This way, there’s no need to bite to let you know “no.” They trust that you can read their body language. This goes for any interaction - learn never to push past the birds comfort zone. Instead, lure them to have a bigger comfort zone.

Think about if this bird was in the wild and you wanted to befriend it. How would you lure it to you? Treats, kind words, and lots of time spent watching and inviting them over to you! Do the same things with your bird.

Don’t be afraid to start over again, pretending the last 4 days didn’t happen. Give him an “olive branch” of sorts, by respecting his space and asking him to help teach you how to have a relationship with him. Then watch and listen to how he guides you. And at the same time, teach him to have a relationship with you by teaching him what is and isn’t ok. (I.e, don’t bite!)

Also use lotssss of treats and praise, like a ridiculous amount, when he does what you want. Birds are especially thrilled with excitement and love repeating actions that get them plenty of excitement! (And, for that same reason, don’t show ANY excitement for bites! Try your best to bite your tongue, and then go cry or cuss in the other room! [emoji23])


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[lollipoppy]

Also to keep him off your shoulder, hold your hand away from your body, bird at chest level, and hold your hand at a 90 degree angle from your forearm, with your elbow down by your hip area, if that makes sense. That way he can’t crawl up your arm to your shoulder


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[jkeasterly]

Thanks! It definitely seems like he was people pleasing and is now trying to set the tone to his liking.

Target training is something we need to do. I don't think the previous owner did much of any training because he doesnt seem to understand the "do a task get a treat" game. In fact, it seems to piss him off lol.

Thanks for the advice. It's nice to hear someone explain the behavior for context.



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[Flboy]

Hi, two things! Your little one is going through several tough things at once! Hormones, and thrown away, being treated like a piece of property!
Cage aggression? No, it’s his home and he is protecting it! And has every right to! Reverse rolls- if someone ignores your property lines and goes even into you house, what is your reaction? If I disrespect my JoJo, I am corrected!
[ame="https://youtu.be/SAI_Nv3qWto"]Aretha Franklin - Respect lyrics - YouTube[/ame]

 

[jkeasterly]

This morning birdie bit me AFTER he stepped up. First thing. Wife had already held him. And he was making the "pick me up" posture. It did break the skin. I shook my hand a little and calmly said no. I will say at this point the bites don't phase me much lol.

I must admit I'm not sure whether letting him on my shoulder is a bad idea or not

I let him get on my shoulder and took him to kitchen sink. I made a bridge with my arms to the faucet and he climbed down for a bath.

I think I had a wrong mindset about the nature of our relationship. Maybe it's better if I let him work at his own pace until we have some trust?

Is it bad to let him on my shoulder if that's the only positive interaction I can seem to conjure? I was afraid that I'm letting him think he's in charge but idk if that's right...

He doesnt bite my wife btw, but she hasn't tried to get him to step up off her shoulder. She is also able to play the stepup game without him getting nippy. Maybe I should be channeling her vibe lol.

Thanks for the input. I'm trying not to embarrass myself but also be honest and earnest. I'm glad something like this exist for us dummies and overthinkers.

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[lollipoppy]

No need to be embarrassed, it’s a learning curve. Birds are quite different from, say, a dog or a cat. It takes time to understand their language and behaviour and to work with them accordingly.


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[jkeasterly]

Well it seems the birdie loves my wife and hates me lol. I promise I am not harassing him and he runs toward me to bite me if I'm in the same room!

I'm reminding myself that patience is a virtue and everything is still new.

Anybody have experience with a bird that has corrected something like this? Or is this a sign that he's chosen my wife and I should keep a safe distance?

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[lollipoppy]

I’ve heard having your wife leave the room and then bonding with him without your wife present can help. [emoji4]


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[Flboy]

Well it seems the birdie loves my wife and hates me lol. I promise I am not harassing him and he runs toward me to bite me if I'm in the same room!

I'm reminding myself that patience is a virtue and everything is still new.

Anybody have experience with a bird that has corrected something like this? Or is this a sign that he's chosen my wife and I should keep a safe distance?

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This latest is very normal! He is still trying to define the flock and it’s limits!
This early on the dynamics are easier to define! For now, only you give treats!
More on this later!

 

[jkeasterly]

Well it seems the birdie loves my wife and hates me lol. I promise I am not harassing him and he runs toward me to bite me if I'm in the same room!



I'm reminding myself that patience is a virtue and everything is still new.



Anybody have experience with a bird that has corrected something like this? Or is this a sign that he's chosen my wife and I should keep a safe distance?



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This latest is very normal! He is still trying to define the flock and it’s limits!

This early on the dynamics are easier to define! For now, only you give treats!

More on this later!

Thank you for saying that. I feel better. I was really feeling discouraged after he was going out of his way at lightning birb speed to tell me what was up lol

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[jkeasterly]

Kuzco the dilute floof

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[jkeasterly]

I have to share the latest chapter in the saga. For anyone with the patience to read the thread, enjoy the enigma that is my gcc.

Today my mom and her boyfriend came over and gifted us a giant corner cage for our birdie.

He snuggled them like I have never seen a bird do in my entire life! He was putty in their hands, chocolate in a warm window. Burying his face in their chests. Basking in the scritches. I cannot even describe the amount of love and trust he was giving these TOTAL strangers from the moment they walked in the door. They were like his long lost family. And it lasted the whole night!

I am utterly perplexed by this bird. Honestly it was really nice to see him displaying such pleasing behavior and I like him more for having such a quirky and complex personality, but WHAT THE HELL!?? Lol.

My wife and I were in total disbelief and I still can't make heads or tails of it. It was like a glimpse of what could be and yet it pulled the rug out right from under us. Here we are trying to work slow and shower him in treats and yadda yadda band-aids. Lol. This bird...[emoji2369]

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[jkeasterly]

This post isn't getting much traffic, which is fine. I notice the forum is full of posts similar to this one (which would explain why there is no need to say what's already been said) and those have been really helpful, as have the advice you guys have given. At this point I'm just thinking out loud and documenting this for my own satisfaction as I can hopefully look back at this after my victory

I just want to say that the bird loves my wife, though we still have to coerce him to step up off of her body with treats. In the meantime, I have experienced a wide range of emotions as my birdie seemed to love EVERYONE but me.

However, I have not attempted to hold him in several days. I only offer him treats and praise when he takes them. I sit by his cage and talk to him and cautiously close the distance between us.

Things are looking up! He hasn't really lunged at me for a couple days and comes out to greet me when I come home from work. He does look like he wants me to pick him up but I refrain for fear that if he bites me we take 2 steps backwards. But he did let me pet his beak today as he munched a grape I offered. I'm feeling more optimistic than I have since the beginning and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I really think we are only a couple weeks from some solid foundation and it is such a relief, because I just want to be friends. There were certainly times in which I felt so defeated and hopeless, so...if you're reading this and having a tough time, try to keep some distance, give your birdie some treats and try again tomorrow.

Regards

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[lollipoppy]

That all sounds like a big win! Nothing hurts more than being rejected by our pets. (Ok maybe some things do, but it’s high up there!) Remember birds are a marathon not a sprint. It sounds like things are looking up


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[jkeasterly]

That all sounds like a big win! Nothing hurts more than being rejected by our pets. (Ok maybe some things do, but it’s high up there!) Remember birds are a marathon not a sprint. It sounds like things are looking up


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Thanks! I've seen your thread and it is so adorable. I appreciate your support. I had many birds in my childhood and I had a parakeet that died last year.

In retrospect it took me 6 months to gain my budgies trust so comparatively we are making great time. It was just so bizarre that he only bit me! Today was a good day... also, congrats on teaching your birb to spin! Way to go!

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[lollipoppy]

Sorry to hear about your parakeet! Birbs are so funny with their preferences, ha ha! I wish you many laughs and snuggles in your future [emoji4]


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[Cycletim]

Just take your time and move at your birds pace. Try introducing foraging toys for food. Keeps them busy and happy. Our parrots don't have food bowls anymore. Our red belly and African grey have 3 and 7 in their cages. We have definitely noticed the difference. Our red belly is much happier and our African grey has stopped plucking and has also relaxed his hormones 80% at least.
Good luck

 

[lollipoppy]

I just realized how much Kuzco and Milo look alike! Haha! So cute


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[jkeasterly]

Just take your time and move at your birds pace. Try introducing foraging toys for food. Keeps them busy and happy. Our parrots don't have food bowls anymore. Our red belly and African grey have 3 and 7 in their cages. We have definitely noticed the difference. Our red belly is much happier and our African grey has stopped plucking and has also relaxed his hormones 80% at least.

Good luck

No food dishes?! That's neat. Our birdie eats chop for breakfast and roudybush for the rest of the day. Glad to hear about your birds being healthy and happy!

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