Agressive Ekkie, advice loved

[bagiara]

Hey everyone! I rescued a male eclectus a little over a month and a half ago (he is five), when I got him he had to be on medicine for three weeks, but he is off it now. For a while he was great, I did clicker training with him and he has been doing awesomely with it, but all of a sudden this past week he has been a little terror.

I had surgery on my left hand 4 days ago, so I at first thought maybe the bandage was freaking him out. So I kept that hand away from him, and just used my right hand (I usually use that hand anyway) but he will actively go after it and chomp down hard. He has drawn blood a few times now.

When he does bite me, I keep my hand where it is, and let him have at it until he walks away, then I move away my hand. I read that it is the best way to show that biting doesn't get them anywhere. I'm not sure how much more my right hand can take though.

He is healthy, and I give him a chop mix every day and dried food overnight. I am doing my best to stick to a schedule for him, up at 8 am and bed at 8 pm, and he still does the clicker training everyday to help him get some mental workouts. He is good with the pointer and is working on 'big shake'.

Does anyone have advice as to why he is so aggressive all of a sudden? Is it hormones? If so, how long will it last?

 

[labell]

You really have not had him that long, a month and a half is not long for a bird and he has had a lot of changes in that time. Trust building right now is very important. I would for now work on getting him to step up onto a stick and hold off a little while on the other kinds of trick training, talk sweetly to him and offer food. I have not met an eclectus yet that couldn't be at least semi won over with food bribes. After that you can go back to working him up to stepping on your hand but I think it's important for all parrots to step up onto a stick for those times where you absolutely know the bird is in a bad mood and you are going to get bit. I always say if you own birds you will eventually get bit but why go out of your way to make it happen if you can help it.

Is this your first eclectus? Do you know any back ground information on your boy, how many homes has he had? What is his name? We would love to see pictures.

 

[Anansi]

I agree completely with Laura. For now, you should just work on building your relationship with him. Often, birds and their new owners go through a honeymoon period in the beginning. During this time, it's all sunshine and roses. But once that honeymoon period ends, it's often a shock when things start going sideways. You're handling it quite well, it would seem.

One thing though. In my opinion, you should never allow your bird to just have at it in terms of biting your hand. I think it's unnecessary. And painful. Now, you definitely don't want to have a big, dramatic reaction. No shouting. No big movements. They don't necessarily understand the context of animated reactions and could conceivably find them amusing. In over words, you'd be training your bird to attack you.

But, while there shouldn't be any big reactions, there most assuredly should be a calm and controlled one. Say "No" in a steady, but firm, voice. And use the finger and thumb of your free hand to grasp the upper beak just above and to either side of the point, and gently twist the beak up and away from the targeted flesh. Remaining cool while doing this and not allowing his aggression to deter you will achieve the same effect as showing no reaction at all... and without all the muss, fuss, and spilled hemoglobin.

That said, however, there is something to be said for strategic interaction. Learn to read your fid's body language. If he's in a grumpy mood, why put yourself in the position to be bitten? You know that military saying about never giving an order you know won't be followed? Same principle applies.

Anyhow, just remember that patience and consistency are key, here. Nothing will turn things around overnight, (unless you get very, VERY lucky) but he'll eventually come around. Good luck, and please keep us posted.