GCC has just started to fly

[SandieV]

We have had our GCC since mid August 2019. My daughter and I both take care of him and he trusts each of us in a different way. His wings have finally grown back in, when we got him they were clipped very poorly. Now that he can fly, he acts differently toward us. If he sees me, he flies to me. He flies to my husband who doesn't really spend any time with him, but he won't fly to my daughter.

He also is much more nippy then before. He used to come out of the cage for my daughter and now he doesn't always want to do that. I can get him to step up on my finger while in the cage, sometimes he nips me sometimes he doesn't but for her, he usually runs away from her. She spends the whole weekend with him and from the time school is out to his bedtime with him. They are so cute together, but now that he can fly, he will fly off of her and back to his cage in the other room or onto his perch which we can move from room to room.

He won't take treats out of our hands, so looking for any suggestions that the group can provide. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[LaManuka]

It’s best if you try to curtail the nipping behaviour before it starts to become a real problem. GCCs can bite VERY hard when they want to and many people find their relationships with their birds irreparably damaged as a result of it. It’s very important that everyone in the household is consistent in how they react to biting so the bird gets the message that it is not acceptable. Avoiding situations where you are likely to get bitten is a good strategy. GCCs can become extremely territorial about their cage, their “home”, and biting fingers and hands thrust into the cage is very common, so try to allow the bird to make his own way out of it in his own time. If he bites, pop him gently and immediately down on the floor or the back of a chair and walk away for a good 5minutes with no eye contact. Do not take him back to his cage for this timeout because that’s likely to be exactly what he wants. GCCs love attention and want to be part of the flock so if everyone is consistent with this reaction to his biting it shouldn’t be long until he gets the message that biting just gets him excluded from all the fun!

Finally, GCCs frequently choose their preferred person and heap all their affections on one individual regardless of whether that person particularly likes the bird or not. Your daughter can use food treats as bribery to win his favour and this may help their relationship but sometimes it’s just one of those unfathomable things as to why the bird chooses one person over another. In the meantime it’s important to nip that biting thing in the bud so that you can all enjoy as harmonious a relationship as possible.

 

[Laurasea]

As babies grow to adults, they become more independent, and express their likes and dislikes. GCC like to scold us with their beaks. Pay close attention to body language, and what leads to bites. I believe this is independent of flight. This is a baby growing up.

 

[Cagzo]

I agree Laurasea, I now know when Connie is about to attack as she ruffs up her feathers,I know the little "quacking" noise and beak grinding means shes very happy and easy to approach. Shes very gentle round my ears and neck,but I can get an unexpected nip on my fingers when shes playing the Tunnel game.......in and out of my hands,but I think thats because shes over enthusiastic,goes through on her back! Really silly!

After one paricularly hard bite,I did as you suggested La Manuka,just plonked her down and walked away,she hated it, I didnt do eye contact but I could tell she was desperate to make friends after 20 minutes.

 

[SandieV]

He is coming up on his 1 year birthday, so I am thinking puberty might also have something to do with his recent behavior. Believe me, he gets plenty of time outs when his is nippy.

Thanks for all of the wonderful advice, much appreciated!