Bipolar Daemon GCC -help?

[Krynn]

Hi there, I am looking for some help and I will be as descriptive as possible. I have been reading a lot of forum pages to see if other people have had my problem, but so far I cannot find an example that relates closely enough.

I brought Aria (DNA sexed female) home in September. She is 8 months old right now. She was super sweet and cuddly, always loved being around me and giving kisses. Generally in a good mood most of the time. In the beginning she was a bit nippy and that stopped after about a month (October).

She started molting 2 months ago, and right now she has lost a lot of feathers and growing new ones in. Her mood is completely unpredictable. She can go from being loving and cute to a deamon attack bird within hours, or sometimes whole days are one or the other.

Am I correct in saying these mood swings are due to her molting?

An additional problem is that she is becoming sexually mature. I can tell because she has been lifting her tail up, and looking for cranny's in the couch to squeeze into. I don't let her stay hidden anywhere.

I also have a female roommate that has been spending a lot of time with Aria. Aria was always super friendly to both of us, and would treat us the same, but lately I have been noticing Aria is becoming more aggressive towards me.
What is the best way to handle this situation? Should I no longer allow my roommate to spend as much time with Aria? I obviously do not want my parrot becoming bonded with a roommate that is only going to be around for 3 more months, and the fact she is my bird.

I also have heard of the terrible 2 behavior, but I don't know much about it.

Aria has never bitten hard enough to draw blood, but tonight was very close. The episode today started because I was texting on my phone, and Aria ran down my arm and attacked my hands. She has never done this before. It happened about 2 hours ago. Aria has been ripping my fingers apart since. I just don't get it. I am confused and angry and need help figuring this all out before I do something I will regret and make her hate me even more.

So I guess I can break this down into 3 combined problems:
1) molting
2) Sexual maturity
3) territorial aggression?

 

[Kalidasa]

The molting and hormonal rush makes them extremely irritable. If your roommate is leaving soon anyway you might want to tactfully explain to her to stop interacting with the bird altogether. It would be best for all concerned if she ignored the bird. There is really no point in them bonding. Explain to her that birds take these bonds very seriously and her continuing to coddle the bird while going thru the hormonal stage can be devastating to her after she (roommate) leaves, and is compromising the bond you should be having with your bird. She can always get her own

 

[BoomBoom]

^ great advice!

 

[halogen]

Molting in addition to *ahem* puberty is probably all that is causing this moodiness. I would encourage your bird to hang out with you more than your roommate. If she chooses the roommate, as kalidasa said, then it going to a really rough when she leaves. Just be patient and eventually, this will pass. Your bird is probably just as frustrated as you are by all this. I would also be certain she doesn't find any nooks or crannys to lay in. Best that she never finds the ideal place to lay. just my advice for what it's worth.

 

[faeryphoebe1]

I love the title of your thread! We have a little daemon too, but she's rotten and rules the roost. You've gotten some great advice here.

 

[Krynn]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your advice
I have moved aria to my bedroom and have asked that my roommate spend less time with her.
so far today was better than yesterday.

 

[ANS91]

In response to your phone comment, it's best not to be on a phone or computer during play time. I don't know if my bird is afraid of them or is jealous by all the attention the electronics get, but it's been three years, and I (or the phone) still get mauled if I pick up my phone during playtime.