Macaw behaviour

[Pamsy18]

Hi

I am having problems with my blue and gold macaw. I purchased my hird nearly 6 years ago. Never had problems with him. We were like the ideal couple he sleeps in my bed on his pillow. Hes in his cage only when im not at home.
His behaviour changed a lot since last week and i am starting to being afraid of touching him. When i put my hand above his head to give him a scratch he tries to bite. Even nowadays when hes out and im lying on my bed he attacks.
Really do not know what to do or why he changed so much.
Do not know if its cos he's/she's in the mating season and honestly to have him do s dna test to see if hes s male or female i see it as crudelity to take blood from him.
Please help me as this parrot is driving me crazy. His/her behaviour cganged a lot
These last 2 years, its true that i gave him less attention since i was dealing with my nephews, but dont know if its that could be the case as well
Please send me back

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, and welcome to the forums.

If you show hesitation and/or fear around your B&G, he WILL take advantage. Those can be trying times when they become sexually mature, but it's something that you both will have to work through together.

I think the following great thread will be helpful to you: http://www.parrotforums.com/macaws/56384-big-beak-o-phobes-guide-understanding-macaw-beaks.html

 

[Pamsy18]

Thanks wendy

Much appreciated. Will try the advisr to show him im not affraid of him although my fingers are trying to heal from his deep bites
Thanks
Pam

 

[1500]

Well that brings up a question. At what age does a Macaw become an adult and how do you tell? I have read multiple articles and most of are contradictions of each other, so any ones thoughts?

 

[Birdman666]

In my opinion, the hardest age for macaws are the 7-12 years...

That's when they first really become hormonal, and can't always handle it.

So this bird is pretty close to being right on schedule with that stuff. My guess is this is hormonal aggression, and it will calm down if you are firm with your boundaries. Firm boundaries are really important right now.

Went through this myself with my red front.

It will pass quickly if you set the boundaries consistently. That's the best answer I can give you. Then the bird will go right back to his/her normal personality once they get used to the increased level of hormones.

This is WNL for big macs. It happens. It will pass. Just gotta deal with it for a little while.

 

[Birdman666]

The deep bites shouldn't be happening if he's bite pressure trained.

He should have been taught to pinch instead of bite.

So, back to basics on that one.

No bite training.

Step up practice, when you are told bird!

And control of bite pressure....

Boundary setting stuff.

 

[Birdman666]

Well that brings up a question. At what age does a Macaw become an adult and how do you tell? I have read multiple articles and most of are contradictions of each other, so any ones thoughts?

Varies from bird to bird, but it's generally the 7-12 age range.

 

[Mariar]

Pressure training saved my arms! Lol sissy..when mad will pinch..never drawing blood..all thanks to your advice mark...your amazing.

 

[1500]

The deep bites shouldn't be happening if he's bite pressure trained.

He should have been taught to pinch instead of bite.

So, back to basics on that one.

No bite training.

Step up practice, when you are told bird!

And control of bite pressure....

Boundary setting stuff.

What about play pinching? Or affection pinching. Bonny's favorite thing to do is go for the skin between the thumb and the index finger, but her pressure ranges from next to nothing to hard (to the point of pain). Should you continue to treat this like pressure training? Or do you do something that is more of a milder correction?

 

[Birdman666]

Whenever she reaches the point where it starts to become uncomfortable, that's where you communicate "That's too hard."