chris-md
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
- 4,360
- 2,146
- Parrots
- Parker - male Eclectus
Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
This is what I've learned handling my eclectus. Different people have different methods, this is what works best for me.
I wanted to make this video because there was nothing out there showing how to handle a hormonal, aggressive eclectus who doesn't want to be handled. This was something I really could have used when I was researching and deciding if an ekkie was right for me. ITS NOT THAT BAD. unless parkers just exceptional. What do you do when you MUST handle them, and they aren't trained to step up to a stick? How do you get them out of the cage?
Use a glove!
Before I got Parker, I was debating if I should get an eclectus, having heard horror stories about how bad and hormonally aggressive they can be. Its true, they can get pretty bad (each bird behaves differently!!!! Some become aggressive to varying degrees, others just become amorous, regurgitating and masturbating; others still may show nothing. Each bird is unique) but the truth is handling the aggressive ones isn't as bad as you imagine. Once I found a fleece glove, suddenly handling the aggressiveness wasn't bad at all.
Keep these points in mind when watching this video, and when you go to handle your hormonally aggressive ekkie.
1) Let them come to you. Don't go sticking your hand directly in the cage. They are very territorial in this state. Invading their territory can just make things more stressful and simply worse. Notice he steps up much easier towards the end when on his stand. Territoriality eases away from the cage. Yes I flinch when he lifts his foot up. I wasn't expecting him to do that, and in this state it's fair to assume Its a trick and he will nail me when he grabs my hand (he's done that before). I was reacting to the uncertainty of what he was doing.
2) Only give a command if you intend to see it through. Even hormonal you can inadvertently teach that a bite can get them whatever they want if you back off when he gets you. You'll hear me say a couple times, for for the camera than him, "you don't have a choice". I wasn't going to let a bite make me back away, not after I told him to do something so fundamental as step up. THE BEAK cannot win. don't set yourself up for failure: if you can't follow through, don't even start to begin with.
3) most importantly, if you don't have to, don't. When they are as bad as Parker is here, these interactions are very stressful. If out of cage time is impossible, sit next to the cage and talk. Or watch tv with his cage next to you. Everything needs to be positive.
To understand what it feels like to be in this moment, this battle of wills:
because the glove provides great protection, there's no fear. it's only familiarity. We've all dealt with a bird who doesn't want to step up. The glove being the equalizer, this moment to me feels no different from a bird calmly sitting still ignoring your commands to step up. That's this moment, a bird who won't step up. Since you need him to, make him.
And remember this only lasts s short time a few days to 2 weeks and they return to their normal, sweet selves again. This behavior is NOT something that should deter a potential owner. I promise it's not that bad!
Think of it this way: at least ekkies aren't known for flying at your face for the kill like amazons are��
[ame="https://youtu.be/zD8R7zcD9NI"]How to handle a hormonally aggressive eclectus - YouTube[/ame]
Anyone want to share how they do it? There's more than one way to skin a cat...or pluck a bird as the case may be!
I wanted to make this video because there was nothing out there showing how to handle a hormonal, aggressive eclectus who doesn't want to be handled. This was something I really could have used when I was researching and deciding if an ekkie was right for me. ITS NOT THAT BAD. unless parkers just exceptional. What do you do when you MUST handle them, and they aren't trained to step up to a stick? How do you get them out of the cage?
Use a glove!
Before I got Parker, I was debating if I should get an eclectus, having heard horror stories about how bad and hormonally aggressive they can be. Its true, they can get pretty bad (each bird behaves differently!!!! Some become aggressive to varying degrees, others just become amorous, regurgitating and masturbating; others still may show nothing. Each bird is unique) but the truth is handling the aggressive ones isn't as bad as you imagine. Once I found a fleece glove, suddenly handling the aggressiveness wasn't bad at all.
Keep these points in mind when watching this video, and when you go to handle your hormonally aggressive ekkie.
1) Let them come to you. Don't go sticking your hand directly in the cage. They are very territorial in this state. Invading their territory can just make things more stressful and simply worse. Notice he steps up much easier towards the end when on his stand. Territoriality eases away from the cage. Yes I flinch when he lifts his foot up. I wasn't expecting him to do that, and in this state it's fair to assume Its a trick and he will nail me when he grabs my hand (he's done that before). I was reacting to the uncertainty of what he was doing.
2) Only give a command if you intend to see it through. Even hormonal you can inadvertently teach that a bite can get them whatever they want if you back off when he gets you. You'll hear me say a couple times, for for the camera than him, "you don't have a choice". I wasn't going to let a bite make me back away, not after I told him to do something so fundamental as step up. THE BEAK cannot win. don't set yourself up for failure: if you can't follow through, don't even start to begin with.
3) most importantly, if you don't have to, don't. When they are as bad as Parker is here, these interactions are very stressful. If out of cage time is impossible, sit next to the cage and talk. Or watch tv with his cage next to you. Everything needs to be positive.
To understand what it feels like to be in this moment, this battle of wills:
because the glove provides great protection, there's no fear. it's only familiarity. We've all dealt with a bird who doesn't want to step up. The glove being the equalizer, this moment to me feels no different from a bird calmly sitting still ignoring your commands to step up. That's this moment, a bird who won't step up. Since you need him to, make him.
And remember this only lasts s short time a few days to 2 weeks and they return to their normal, sweet selves again. This behavior is NOT something that should deter a potential owner. I promise it's not that bad!
Think of it this way: at least ekkies aren't known for flying at your face for the kill like amazons are��
[ame="https://youtu.be/zD8R7zcD9NI"]How to handle a hormonally aggressive eclectus - YouTube[/ame]
Anyone want to share how they do it? There's more than one way to skin a cat...or pluck a bird as the case may be!
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