HELP! Kermit is a vexation!

[rockync]

I hope someone has some tips here because I'm not sure what else to do. I have a male mealy amazon named Kermit. He was given to me by an artist friend more than 30 years ago because he became very jealous of this guy's new wife.
Kermit was really good his first 6 months with us. He loved me and he would seek me out. Then gradually he bonded with my husband and slowly become more aggresive toward me, pulling my hair and poking me if I sat next to my husband. Still, at least on of us could handle him.
He has always had a large cage with a top that opens. We have always interacted with him and made sure he had toys. He came as a seed eater and although we have never been able to move him fully to a pellet diet, I mix a good pelletized food in his seed and provide him with daily fruits and vegetables. In the winter months we provide full spectrum lighting.
As the years have gone by he has become intolerant of being around anyone or any other pets. He will only interact with my husband except in Spring when he turns into an unholy terror and tries to bite us. We can't even let him out of the cage or he will try to chase us down to bite us. If anyone else comes in the room he screams relentlessly.
We suspect there is a correlation between his behavior and mating season.
So, does anyone have any ideas how to reduce this guy's level of agression and thus save a finger or two?
Thanks.

 

[weco]

Sounds like a frustrated male mealy...but, actually, the only thing any of us can do is wait out a parrot's mating season, however there is a neutering procedure that can be performed, though if that were to be a choice, I would be sure that the veterinary surgeon had experience in performing the procedure as it is invasive surgery and considered dangerous.....there are also birth control medications that veterinarians can administer to hens...usually used for chronic egg layers...so you might want to consult your vet about anything available for hormonal males.....

In the wild, 'zons normally breed once a year, though as companion birds, with continual access to food & controlled atmospheres, many parrots can become hormonal a couple of times or more per year...and...body petting by their human flock may cause/aggravate hormonal activity, causing overly frustrated birds because relief is not available from those who caused the frustration.....back stroking, tickling, petting under the wings, belly tickles & rubs all give our feathered friends the totally wrong impression.....

 

[rockync]

Thank you weco - I have a very good avian vet and I had thought maybe I should call him but wasn't sure if there might be something to supress Kermit's hormones. I don't really want to do surgery on him, I think I would prefer to put up with his aggressiveness but medication might be help. I will update here after I speak to the vet.

 

[legal_eagle]

If his wings are clipped I would think he won't come after you from a playstand. If that's the case, maybe it would be better to start to thinking of him and treating him more as a noncuddling/touching bird.

 

[SandyBee]

During this time make sure he gets 12 hours of sleep a night and decrease high fat and protein rich foods. This sometimes helps to reduce the length of time of their mating season.

 

[henpecked]

Once again Sandy Bee has good advice. Reduce fat (seeds), Higher humidity, 12 hrs of dark. The things that "turn on" a male amazon. At his age things should be getting better unless something has happened to reinforce it. When it get to be that time of the year for him, (usually spring around here), Let him stay in the cage. Avoid confrontations , the less of a big deal the sooner it will pass. You should also be able to improve your relationship with him, you too know each other, He thinks he knows better than you and your just a third wheel. Be more confident , outgoing when hubby isn't around. Just don't get into a contest for hubby's attention when he's around. Play harder to get when you do interact with him, be the one to limit petting or scratches. Leave him wanting more of your attention instead of him deciding "that;s enough". Only fight the battles you know you can win. Make small decisions that effect his life that you know he can live with. You can improve your relationship with him.

 

[rockync]

Thank you to all who responded! I hoped when I found this group that I would get some useful suggestions and you have all provided such sound, instructive advice!
As well as speaking with the vet I am going to start implementing all these suggestions today and perhaps I'll get my sweet bird back.
BTW, although his wings are clipped, Kermit will climb off the cage and chase us on the ground. He does not fear our dog or cats but I fear for them as with his beak strength he could probably break a cat's leg and certainly create a puncture wound. He will also jump from his cage top onto you if you get too close when he's out and in a mood. So keeping him confined is probably the best course. He has a large cage with plenty of room. I will post back when I have had time to evaluate what things are working and if he has improved. Thank you again!