First overbonded now cage aggressive

[Austin James]

My green cheek conure bubba was severely over bonded. every time i left the room he would scream at the top of his lungs. he was also nasty to everyone else in the family charging and biting them all the time. well i read to give them some time in their cage with toys and things like that. so i did that and for about a week and a half things were great. bubba was getting along with family and not screaming every time i left the room.

but now all of a sudden he has become cage aggressive. when i open his cage to get him out he runs to the bottom and fluffs his head up and when i go to pick him up he bites me. its not just little bites, he draws blood and just gave me a blood blister this morning. its really hard bites which he has never bitten like that before especially me because im his favorite.

so i dont know what to do. ive never had a bird do this before and just need some advice because im a firm beliver that a bird shouldnt be in his cage all day and like to hav him out and spend time with me but i am sick of getting bit each time i go to get him out.

 

[Spiritbird]

Hi Austin: It is a good idea to let parrots make their own decisions if it does not cause safety issues. If Bubba does not want to come out of the cage and you want him to just open the door and walk away. He will soon be at the door ready to come out on his own terms. There is a period of time parrots go through that we can call adolescence which is a time of transition in the wild and in companion birds. It can happen off and on during the first two years of a parrots life. The best thing for you to do is be consistent and gentle with him at this time. It is a form of emotional separation from you or the flock. Give him a little space but continue to give him one on one time with you.
Preening him is good and playing with his toys. He may refuse to step up or come out of cage as he is already doing. Just remember to offer him choices. This is temporary and will pass. It is not unlike the terrible twos of a human child.

 

[Nansye]

Hi Austin!! I'm sorry you're going through this "emotional" time with your baby; but PLEASE remember always that it is NOT! because the bird dislikes you!!

He is expressing himself IN THE ONLY way that he knows how right now - so it is sooooo important to the future love bond between you that YOU!! be the one with the patience.

I am no expert and would not pretend to be one, but i do read A LOT! about birds and only pass on what the "experts" i have read, recommend.

One of the things i did read that suprised me was the birds do NEED their privacy at some point in the day; so they can nap, or just get away from human hubub, if you will. It was recommended that they have enough toys in the cage for the birds to "HIDE" behind, when they so chose to do so.

Also, there is the small possibility that he is bored with the toys, food, etc. Again, it is going to take "YOUR" time and patience to get to know this birds quirks and needs.

Do not be afraid to just sit and read near the bird, or watch tv with the bird, because he will come out to you when he is ready, if that is what he wants; and again, birds are as unique and as special as every human; so please try to treat him with the same respect and care that you would give to your human best friend and you will have another bond to be proud of!! :>)

Also, there is a married couple, who own windycityparrot.com and they have a forum there, and will be happy to help you, if it comes to that, because they own parrots and they own this bird toy/food company and i got to know them through ordering products from them. So don't be afraid to get ALL the help you can from anywhere you can and then you will know what advice best feels right to you and your bird.

Best of Luck and remember - it is LOVE and PATIENCE that is most important right now. :>)

P.S. there are so many variables to this situation that most of us are not aware of, as well, like how many people are around the bird? How much sleep is your bird getting - because this too is critical to his well being and happiness, etc., etc., so, again, remember that time is your friend right now.