New Macaw is Hostile

[bkendall]

Hello everyone, I've been reading for forums for a long time but this is my first post.

My wife and I have had birds for years - we have a green cheek, an Indian ring neck, and a cockatiel. She decided that she wanted a macaw so we started looking into them and did all the research. We even drove two hours away to the only bird store in the area that carries them so that we could handle them in person and talk to owners. We decided to move forward and get one.

She found a six-year-old blue and gold female rescue locally. We knew that with a rescue bird we would probably have a lot of work cut out for us, but we were willing to put the time in.

We've had the bird for a week. It was initially hostile and scared, which is completely understandable. After 24 hours it took to my wife beautifully and now wants to be with her all the time. With me, on the other hand, it's completely hostile:

1) If I walk into the room, it opens its wings at me
2) If I am close to the cage, it will lunge against the cage at me
3) When on the floor, it will come over and bite my legs and/or shoes.
4) She shakes horribly whenever I'm around
5) She lunges or attempts to bite me whenever possible

I'm being nice to the bird and I give it treats when it's in the cage, or out of it. We go through the beak-butting thing against the hand every day, and after 20 minutes or so of coaxing I can manage to get her to step up onto my arm. From there she wants to move to my shoulder, and if I let her sit there she's fine, but with her otherwise hostile nature towards me I believe her being that close to my face is a bad idea right now so I don't do it.

The wife and I were curious if it's just me or males in general that the bird is uncomfortable around. We invited some family over and she did great around everyone, so we've come to the conclusion that it's just me. We have a theory that perhaps I resemble her previous owner, but we're just guessing here.

Other than continuing to work with her every day and doing the usual to gain her trust (offering treats, being the one to let her out of her cage, being the sole food/water provider, etc), is there anything else I can do to help this bird understand that I'm not the one that hurt her? My hands and forearms look like hamburger from her beak and I'm starting to get questioning stares from coworkers. LOL

Thanks!

[edit - added that it's a blue and gold]

 

[thekarens]

To put it plain and simple the bird has picked your wife as it's mate/and or favored one and you are the competition.

 

[Pinkbirdy]

We have had this happen at our house. The "non favorite" person must be over the top at winning them over. Like super big praise ,treats , sitting quietly by cage. accept what their willing to give. Over time Im sure you can have a relationship it might be a different one than your wife. To be realistic it may takes months. but its so important they know they are liked by all family members. Good Luck

 

[bkendall]

Thanks for the responses so far. I can accept that she may prefer the wife over me - I would just like not being attacked.

I'm willing to put the time in but think I may stop trying to handle her physically for a little bit. Maybe I'll try again when she stops shaking just from my presence. Does that sound like a good idea?

 

[Christinenc2000]

My Macaw did not like BF>
Every Special treat that is given now comes from him. He is well um not fully accepted now but tolerated . He can't Touch BB but can hand feed him now. With any luck that will change.
Be nice or no treat

 

[Pinkbirdy]

Your right , take a step way back . Try to just get him calm with you being near his cage and not touching him. If he eventually accepts that try touching him through the bars . If that doesn't work after awhile [they can be cage aggressive].Try getting him to step up on a stick and get him on a play stand. Its hard but your going to have to make a super HUGE deal about him to get his attention. Also work with him without anyone around.

 

[Birdman666]

It's an overbonding issue for sure...

From the sound of things this bird may have had a bad experience with men, or may have only interacted with women until now.

Remain calm. Don't show fear. Don't over-react. Take your time. Build trust. Socialize from there.

Somewhere I have a detailed training post on this one, but I haven't been able to find it...

 

[Minimaker]

My husband tends to move fast and be jerky around our birds-which scares them and makes them not trust that he means them no harm. In my experience with many different types of birds both wild and domestic is that when you first get to know them you have to move slow and carefully. No sudden movements near them, no jerk-away responses. And lots and lots of treats that the bird loves from your hands only. You need a special treat the bird loves that only you give her. Ask your wife to refrain from giving that treat so you can be associated with something very much wanted. At some point the bird will see you and be happy you're coming. For awhile be slow and talk low and soothingly until she starts to realize you're not a threat. Sweet talk your way in to her heart and let her make all the decisions and moves without forcing her to accept your will A gentle approach has always worked wonders for me with something as skittish and nervous as a bird.

 

[Betrisher]

I agree with Minimaker! Our old Galah was like that with me for the first year or so. I'm still not his favourite person, but at least he permits me to handle him and move him from place to place. There are times when he just feels the need to punish me and I come off second best. I think it has a lot more to do with the bird's personality and individual choices than anything else. I know Dominic's history and he never had a bad time with any women: he's just an irascible old coot!

At first, he would gallop across the table to take chunx out of me if I so much as put my hand down. My husband, on the other hand, was the pillar of his universe and could do no wrong! My son was also on the 'love you' list, but not so much my daughter. Dom still gallops to bite her and has twice flown after her!

We did what Minimaker suggests. I became the only one to give treats and nice things while my husband just sat there and played perch. After a very long time, I was finally found acceptable (but only just, mind!). Dominic is still Dad's Boy, but at least he suffers me handling him and even permits a little affection from time to time. When people say 'be patient' here, they mean 'be patient for weeks or months or as long as it takes'. Why not try some pomegranate seeds or pieces of mixed nuts to coax your mac to love you? Bribery is a wonderful training tool and I recommend it thoroughly!

 

[veruka1973]

My DYH amazon hates my husband...doesn't matter what he tries Reg still hates his guts, I tried having him give Reg his favorite treat, Reg will take the treat then mutilate it, not eat it...oh no he savagely attacks said treat as if he is showing my husband what he would do to him if given the chance.

 

[Hawk]

To put it plain and simple the bird has picked your wife as it's mate/and or favored one and you are the competition.

I would have to agree with that as well. When I gotten poppie, she was not having any part of me, though I fed her, bathed her, she would shake like she was terribly scared of me. But took to my wife like butter to bread and would woo my wife.

That was 6 years ago, took 7 months for her to take to me, she was a rescue of course. But I have a unique style of breaking a bad habit bird from biting and developing trust in turn. Poppie now considers me her best buddy and always plays and gives kisses now. Patience is the key, and working at it everyday, no matter what the outcome at first will be, they'll eventually come around to an everybody bird. They will have a mate chosen, but won't feel threatened.

 

[Birdman666]

I don't know that it's a bird mate issue. A lot of times macaws that have been neglected will become so desperate for attention that they become clingy and protective of the first person who shows them love... and that isn't so much a bird mate issue as it is an "attention deprived macaw" overbonding issue. These are pair bond birds, and pair bond birds are prone to overbonding issues.

Which I suspect this is.

I can't find my disfavored person behavior mod. I had it posted somewhere.

But here is a response I gave to someone else who was having these issues, and it's in there. This one works, if you do it consistently!

http://www.parrotforums.com/behavioral/50366-bird-hates-me.html

 

[bkendall]

Thanks everyone! Here's a short video I took last night of her letting me rub her back, so I'm making slow progress!

[ame="http://youtu.be/kVJq3bK09PI"]http://youtu.be/kVJq3bK09PI[/ame]

 

[Dinosrawr]

What a sweet heart! I'm sure with time she will accept you as a part of her flock And progress is always progress, no matter how little.

 

[Birdman666]

Looks to me like you've made HUGE progress...

Just your basic overbonding issue. Once they calm down, they learn to love everyone. It takes time.

We had a similar issue with Maggie for a few months... 8 years in solitary, then suddenly my velcro bird... then gradually, EVERYBODY'S velcro bird.