please help me with my evil senegal!

[kq_fan]

Ugh he bit me bad a few days ago. He tried to climb on the heater and so I moved him. He climbed up on my shoulder (I know he should not have him on my shoulder but he is afraid of hands) and he bit my ear! He latched on and it was extremely painful! I jumped up and jumped around and he let go. He is evil! Sheesh. I did hate him for a while but now I'm just ok with him. But he is annoyingly loud! I just need help on some tips so that when I walk INTO MY OWN ROOM! He wont freaking bite at me and try to eat me through the bars. Please help, I am afraid who will take him if we get rid of him! And who would want him??? I just need him to not be afraid of me because I know that that is why he is aggressive towards me. I am afraid to hold him because he will almost always bite me. Treats do not help him like me btw.

 

[kq_fan]

Now, I do give him treats once in a while, his favorite, sunflower seeds. And I calmly ask him how was his day and I tell him about mine. I remember you guys have said before to talk to him calmly so I do.

 

[Minimaker]

My new macaw is a biter too, and we're working on clicker training which helps develop trust and I swear to God it's working wonders. She is gaining confidence around us and for the first time ever decided to step up on my husbands arm tonight without any forcing her. She's coming out onto the playstand now on her own without us herding her onto it. She follows the clicker because she knows she gets a treat if she goes to it and touches it with her beak. We no longer have to force her to do anything because she's willing to work for treats. I advise getting a training video and watching it because there are things we do wrong that make the birds not trust us. And then they bite and try to get away. Training helps change all that if you follow the methods they teach just as they say to do.

 

[kq_fan]

Ok, I just looked that up and it seems like a very good idea Thank you, I didn't know that it cloud be used for this.

Wow, that is really some amazing thing! I watched more videos and it seems to really work! And a clicker is only 99 cents at Petco! wish me luck!

 

[Minimaker]

The biggest thing is that they are allowed to choose things for themselves, and the constant rewards for good behavior make them trust you more. It's all about trust and bond building. Making them want to do things for you instead of forcing them to submit. I was trying to get her to do things like I would a dog or cat-but birds don't work that way. They need to make decisions for themselves and not have us force them to do things they don't want to do. I didn't realize that because it never was an issue before. I never had trouble with any bird before this one other than little insignificant things. So now I'm starting from scratch and learning along with her. It takes some quality time and consistency so keep working at it and I'm sure your bird will learn to trust and love you. Once that breakthrough moment happens, it'll change everything for the both of you. Our macaw is just learning to like playing with us now. You can see a change in her demeanor and attitude already. And just a few days back she was determined to bite the crap out of anyone who approached her!
I have to thank the trainers at BirdTricks.com for finally being able to understand my bird.

 

[thekarens]

I would recommend you train him/her to step up on a stick.

Frankly, what you've mentioned seems like typical sennie behavior. One of mine is an ear chomper too.

 

[kq_fan]

Thanks everyone a lot, I started clicker training right away and he is doing so well, I had him touch a stick, click, and treat, he is fantastic! Then I had him touch my fingers and he did it without biting!

Thekarens: Ok, I think he would like it better if he stepped up on a stick instead of my hand, I think he would feel more comfortable.

 

[Hawk]

I would recommend you train him/her to step up on a stick.

Frankly, what you've mentioned seems like typical sennie behavior. One of mine is an ear chomper too.

It is typical Senni behavior, Mines an ear chomper as well....heck he'll take the whole darn ear, and end of nose...( boy that hurts) !!!

Senni's are quite protective of their cage. They'll chase you off the cage. They tend to do things "their way" and when it's convenient for them.

Clickers are great, but don't slack as they can back slide back to old behavior. You'll never be 100 % free of a Senni's beak and bite...You can limit it and control it with training video's mentioned and clicker and step up sticks...but never 100 % free of their bite. I read somewhere It's a natural habit of the senni's to bite, as to show affection.

 

[RavensGryf]

Yep, I agree with Hawk and Karen about Sennies. All the similar sized Poicephalus in fact. My Red Bellied and Ruppell's are just like Sennies, so I feel your pain.. literally . Stick training is a must, as is constant training with boundaries as to what is acceptable. It can be managed over time, but in Poi's, not eliminated entirely. Any Poi owner will tell you that, especially the mature males. That's not to say they aren't sweet, soft and and cuddly too!

 

[kq_fan]

Ok. Will he ever be ok with me? I know they are one people birds and he chose dad. But I spend more time with him training, letting him out, feeding him. Basically I am his main caretaker. Dad just holds him sometimes for a about an hour to two. Will he end up being ok with me sense I am his caretaker? Thanks

 

[Hawk]

Ok. Will he ever be ok with me? I know they are one people birds and he chose dad. But I spend more time with him training, letting him out, feeding him. Basically I am his main caretaker. Dad just holds him sometimes for a about an hour to two. Will he end up being ok with me sense I am his caretaker? Thanks

I have the same situation with one of my Zons, I care for it, my wife doesn't spend as much time as I do feeding and cleaning, playing with them, yet.....that Zon prefers my wife, and will cuddle all evening not wanting anything to do with me....My wife's like "it's your bird" yeah I know....but loves my wife.

So point is, once they choose a mate, that's their mate and you won't change that easily.

 

[kq_fan]

Oh. I hope he will end up tolerating me at least.

 

[Taw5106]

Hi there, you've asked questions of "Will he...". While birds can be frustrating YOU have to explore training, feeding, building, love, trust, etc with your little devil. This also means having time and patience. I have an Ekkie that is testing my patience. I have to walk away, count, breath, think nice thoughts.... It can be a challenge. It may not be an easy win or fix. I've used this forum and youtube for information. Patience, patience, patience and some perservierence on your part is needed CONTINUALLY!!!

 

[kq_fan]

I need more time. I just got him. I need to be patient. Thank you Taw 5106

 

[paquito10]

Ive had my Senegal for 3 days now and he is soo much better now. today he stpped up with out even try to bite. he flew out of his cage(which i think is a good thing) he is less shy i can touch him but not alot. when hes on my hand hes scared but its big improvement .well good luck with your senegal.

 

[kq_fan]

Thanks He was on the floor today and he stepped up onto my hand! Yay! I would have brought him down stares but I have no energy right now, I am getting over a cold/allergies so I am a little slow. But maybe later. He does let me pet him a lot. that's about all he wants from me is head scratches. He was on the floor because usually before I walk in the room when the door is closed, I whistle and knock on the door so he wont get shocked if I open the door. Than he wanted to step up. He was walking to my hand and I was a little scared, I thought he was coming to bite me. But then he didn't. I was proud. I just need to realize when he is mad and to just walk away before he bites.

 

[RavensGryf]

I'm glad you're trying again . You're right he's still new. Then not to point out negative, but even well adjusted Poi's are just going to be a little more prone to biting than your conure. Especially mature males. I know you could handle it though . The love they give in return makes it all worth it.

 

[kq_fan]

Thanks!

 

[Taw5106]

Keep working on this. When we got Venus, the first night I told her to step up and she chomped my finger. After that I was so hesitant because she took her beak and headed for my finger. Well I finally closed my eyes and waited for the bite but didn't get one, instead she grabbed my finger and pulled it to her, held onto my finger and stepped up. She does this all the time, like she's steadying herself. Something new and special to her.

 

[Hawk]

Thanks!

Senegal's are absolutely adorable birds and love the outdoors....mine loves to sit on my shoulder and walk the yard or sit on head rest in truck and go for ride....