Hello and Help!

[ArchieBird]

Hi everyone. I am so glad I found this place. You all seem so friendly and knowledgeable, that I'm sure I can find some help before Archie kills me in my sleep.

I "inherited" Archie, a 1.5-year old GCC, about 2 months ago from my daughter who had him since he was a baby. (She moved to New Zealand from the U.S.) He's adorable and I've already taught him how to say his name and we are working (with little success) on saying other words.

Here's the problem, he bites. CONSTANTLY. Now, I've done enough reading to know that this is common and GCCs are nippy birds. But he hardly ever bit my daughter when she had him. I think he hates me. He attacks my face and trying to get him to step up or step down is getting impossible. I can't help him with his pin feathers and it's getting to the point where I dread taking him out of his cage every day.

His wings are not clipped, nor do I have any desire to clip them. I've read everything I can find online about this problem, but there is so much conflicting information out there that I don't know what to believe.

Please help. Thanks.

 

[SoCalWendy]

I understand your position on not clipping his wings, but it won't kill him either and it may change his lil nasty attitude towards you. Then you have some time to work with him as a clipped bird until they grow back. Whether you decide to clip or not, never allow him on your shoulder. Start working on touch training using a clicker and food. If you know what food he is gaga for withhold it from his diet and only give it to him during training. Start in the morning when he is the most hungry. So using a stick, point it at him and say touch, if he moves towards it, click and treat. if he touches it with his beak, click and treat. Keep doing this until you feel confident you can move on to something else, like asking him to touch other things. Hopefully you will start to build some trust and he will chill out a bit. Good luck, and again no shoulders and please keep him away from your face.

 

[ArchieBird]

I had no idea you could clicker-train a bird! I am very guilty of putting Archie on my shoulder, especially when he first comes out of the cage for the day. He climbs out and jumps on my shoulder, first thing. He absolutely loves strawberries and bananas, so they will make excellent training foods.

I've read that these birds only bond to one person and that for this reason, he will always bite me. Is this true?

 

[jiannotto9492]

My biggest suggestion is to spend as much time with Archie as possible. Odds are Archie wants to see your daughter and just wants her. Sounds like Archie didn't spend much time with anyone but your daughter. If you form a big enough of a bond with Archie I'm sure he will stop nipping ya as much as he is. But yes, gcc's do tend to be nippy birds. Gotta remember that in the wild they are prey and tend to view anything bigger than they are as threats.

 

[ZephyrFly]

With all this try and be sure he sees other people as well, even if it starts with through his bars. GCC normally have a favourite person but they are social buggers when given the chance and patience.
So for now work on your relationship, even when he's in his cage you can talk to him, give him scritches and treats (if you feel he's behaving well). Once you've felt you have a good bond going, make a point when friends and family visit that they see and talk to him too. And if he's good, he can come out with them. But if he's still biting you regularly then I'd hold off til he's learnt not to.

 

[Doublete]

I don't think they only bond to one person.
Just gain his trust and he will love you too.

I got my gcc from a bird store in March. He is nippy when he is itchy and right now he's covered in pin feathers....

 

[Kyoto]

I went through bad nipping, and the more attention I give Kyo the better she is. Positive reinforcement is the best thing. I have not found anything that really stops her from biting, but that ignoring it or simply telling her "be nice" will sometimes give her the right idea. Particularly when she is just wanting to preen me and doesn't understand that she is being too rough.

Best of luck! When he does come around (give it time, it will happen!) you will absolutely fall in love with him. They are such a joy <3

 

[SoCalWendy]

I had no idea you could clicker-train a bird! I am very guilty of putting Archie on my shoulder, especially when he first comes out of the cage for the day. He climbs out and jumps on my shoulder, first thing. He absolutely loves strawberries and bananas, so they will make excellent training foods.

I've read that these birds only bond to one person and that for this reason, he will always bite me. Is this true?

yes, you can clicker train him. Youtube has some great videos so check them out. You are like a whole new family for him with your daughter being out of the picture.... so why not be positive and be the exception to the rule, if in case it is true they they only bond with one person. And if you have other family members, this is a great time for everyone to be onboard and socialize him with everyone.

Keep your sessions short, start with like 3-5 minutes and work up. And do not allow him on your shoulder. That will be your first boundary for him. Shoulder are a privilege, but not for an unpredictable biter. So shoulders are off limits.... but if he is eager to be with you then always reward him for the good behavior.