Help with new birdy temperment

[vdtijer]

Let me first introduce my birdy! He's name is Pico, he will be 3 months old in a couple of days. I was told he was a he by his breeder. I got him testing last week and am just waiting for the results to come in. For now he will be a he.

When I picked him up he was a very cuddly bird. He did occasionally bite but it was more of a bite to grab on because he still wasn't the best with balance. Or he would bite parts of my hand or arm before stepping on it, just because he was unsure. So, nothing to really get upset with.

I've had him for about 3 weeks now. I handle him daily and after the first week I saw improvement with his balance. He was getting more comfortable and less timid and didn't using his beak for everything. So, I was happy because that meant less beak marks on my skin. Now, this last week has completely changed. He's become very aggressive and hard to handle. He's like a completely different bird. He'll still steps up to my finger but as soon as he's on he bites. He wont let me touch him with out trying to go after my fingers. If I hover my hand by his head he'll eventually allow me to touch him but only for a few pets before deciding to bite me again. The only way he wont bite is if I rub his cheek. (That's his birdy weak spot I learned about the first day I got him) I have no idea why the sudden change in his temperament.

I haven't had him for very long and nothing has changed in his routine. The only thing that I can think of that's different is the type of water he's getting. The breeder I got him from lives in the city and has city water. I live further out and we're on well water. Could that possible have an effect? Everything thing else he's eating is the same as the breeders. He's on zupreem fruit pellets and has fresh fruit and veggie in the morning.

I know with a new bird I'm going to have to have time and patience but does anyone have any advice on how to get my cuddle bird back?

 

[weco]

Once a bird feels comfortable in their new home, they sometimes try to reposition themselves within the flock and their true personality shows up (also referred to "as the honeymoon's over"), but as long as you establish yourself as flock leader & show your displeasure with these new attitudes, things usually get back on track.....

 

[Agapornis]

You mean the birds aren't in charge of the household??? :11: Huh! I'm going to have a talk with Fiji and Sundance :20:

Pico is adorable, he looks just like my Sundance. Aren't their personalities hilarious? Enjoy your new baby!

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

Hi. Pico is so pretty. Congratulations on your new flockmate.

 

[Birdjoy]

Hi! He is so adorable!

 

[Dinosrawr]

Like Weco said, the honey moon period is likely over. Now that Pico realizes this is where he's to stay, he's likely trying to determine what he can and cannot get away with, if he can control your behaviour, and will likely push boundaries. What I recommend is training Pico to accept hands again. Reward him for positive interactions with your hand, and only reward him when he does not bite your hands in a painful manner. Teach Pico that being held comes with good consequences.

Also be sure to, if you will, ask permission to cuddle or handle Pico. When I see Avery is in her "I'll-destroy-anything-near-me" mode, I ask her if I'm allowed to cuddle her. She'll angrily fluff if no, or she'll give me a contented look up for a yes. It's surprising what they learn and pick up after reinforcing the behaviour. GCC's are naturally inclined to be beaky birds, so it's important to teach them what kind of beaking is acceptable and what is not. Avery responds well to positive reinforcement, but responds ever better to my attention. If I gush over her accomplishments, she's more happy to do it (and a treat, of course ). She LOVES to be talked to. So try learning what Pico really loves. Does he love food? Does he love attention? Does he love foot toys? Once you find out, you can figure out a favourite and use it as a positive reinforcer.

Alongside learning what he loves, learn what he dislikes. Are you approaching him the way he's comfortable with? Do your hands move too fast? Are you restricting his movement a bit too much? Are you asking or are you forcing? Not that you are necessarily doing these things or intentionally doing them, but we often forget that our expectations for our birds are essentially forced on them without consent at times. We all assume GCC's are cuddles and take offence when they choose not to, but we tend to only consider our feelings rather than both ours and our bird's.

I would also like to recommend switching pellets. I too first fed Avery the Fruit Zupreem blend (she came to me on a seed diet) and after further research I realized that the unnatural colours and high sugar content were not healthy for her. I have since switched her to Roudybush and Harrison's, and she loves both those pellets and eats them just as well. It's your choice of course, but I thought I'd just toss in what I learned.