Please help with behavioral issues

[Aramis_Frank]

Hi there,

My 3 or 4 year old white bellied caique has been acting differently lately. He has been a great bird since we got him in and is very friendly. A few years ago he started getting hormonal which I read is normal for caiques. It ended up mostly being a phase and we were just careful to watch when his behavior started to change and adjusted our playtime and such.

More recently though he has started to be downright aggressive at times and it scares me. He has bitten and even lunges at me or my kids occasionally. Because of this behavior he has been spending more time in his cage which I don't think is helping the issue. I've been working a lot but my schedule is changing and I'll be able to spend more time with him in future weeks. This morning I took him out of his cage and we played for a bit. I took a phone call (I'm not sure if that is what started his behavior or not) and his eyes dilated and he started posturing. He then flew at me as I walked away. I know to usually give him some time when he "gets bipolar" but now he is starting to be more aggressive and seeks out a fight it seems. I don't know where to start with changing the behavior. Do I spend more time with him in hopes that it will get better? Do I change up the toys in his cage to give him a new perspective? Do I make him some banana bread? (He loves banana bread and hasn't had it lately because I've been so busy). I know my schedule could have a lot to do with his behavior (and I'm working on that) but he seems to be less relaxed around my kids lately which is not okay and bit my 10 year old daughter fairly hard on her shoulder for no reason last week. I need to do something!

Please help! Any kind of guidance is appreciated. Thank you!

 

[clark_conure]

you kind of, well you didn't 'double post' you put it in the species group so good, play. I was like wait I just read this. But anyways...

There's a lot of people on here and I'm one of them that agree that with a "bonded bird" that is not afraid of hands and likes to chill with it's owner...the TIME OUT method is best.

When the bird bites or acts like it's going to, put him on the floor...not his cage, not a perch. A place he won't be happy with but can walk back from.

In the wild a bird that isn't being good to the flock is 'shunned'. Put your bird on the floor especially with a verbal NO, because birds are very sound based. And MAKE HIM WALK BACK TO YOU. Or fly back or whatever, but that time out gives it time to sink in why am I on the floor?, probably the first time or second, maybe a few tries, he will walk back and be EXCEPTIONALLY sweet because he caught on.

Earthquake method, beak grabbing don't hit the root issue. The root issue is it's unacceptable; and the worst thing you can do to a family member is shun them ....for like 30 seconds....they figure it out pretty quick... Do this for a couple days and you problem should cure itself. Make them walk back and they somehow know to apologize and are sweet again.

 

[itzjbean]

Hello, sorry you're having trouble with your Caique. I Have never owned one but do know all too well what hormones can do to a bird.

Many parrots experience behavioral changes due to hormones. However, this sounds more like your Caique has been testing his boundaries and has learned that using his beak gets him what he wants. It is now your job to teach him what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. Biting is not acceptable. Tell me, what do you do when he bites? Do you immediately put him back in his cage? A verbal scolding?

First, be sure to look this thread over: Biting parrot
(Birdman666, a highly valued member here with tons of experience, has great advice)

Basically, you'll want to teach him that biting is not acceptable with a firm 'NO!' and then he should be put in a quiet, dark place in a carrier on the floor for a time-out, like a dark bathroom. When he bites, or flies at you to attack, in he goes to the carrier and gets a 'time-out' for a few minutes until he calms down. He will begin to understand and realize he doesn't like what happens to him when he bites and attacks, and it should decrease in frequency. If he continues to fly at you in attacks, consider a wing-clip to give you more control over his flying capabilities for now.

 

[clark_conure]

itzjbean and I are on the same wavelength, but I think making the birds walk back sets a better ....idk 'position of 'dominance?' making him come to you.....we were probably typing this at the exact same time. Maybe I just like the bird to make the active choice to decide to be good...redeemed. It has worked well for me and others.

 

[itzjbean]

itzjbean and I are on the same wavelength, but I think making the birds walk back sets a better ....idk 'position of 'dominance?' making him come to you.....we were probably typing this at the exact same time. Maybe I just like the bird to make the active choice to decide to be good...redeemed. It has worked well for me and others.

This may work, but as this bird is flighted, as soon as the owner puts it on the floor (or even attempts to lower it down), it will most likely just fly back to where it was and the behavior won't change much, or it may just think it is a game. OP, try this first, and if your bird continues to attack/bite, a time-out in a carrier is the way to go, taking away its ability to fly away, be with flock members, on the floor, in the dark.

 

[clark_conure]

NO do my way first!!!!!!!! no, yeah, if he's flighted and just flies back before you even get back to you chair do itzjbeans thing, if he's clipped or he doesn't fly back immediately, and sits there like "wait what did I do" for a bit, make him come like I suggest. Both are fine and will work. It works on the root cause, not a temporary distraction like the earthquake method, that's the important point.

 

[Scott]

I'm not familiar with Caique behaviors thus can only give general advice.

Parrots are not strictly speaking "domesticated" and thus tend to march to their instinctual drummer. We can, however, socialize them to amazing degrees once they learn to trust. This thread may be helpful: http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/49144-tips-bonding-building-trust.html And of course the Biting Parrot link previously suggested.

I realize Aramis has been with you for a few years, but sometimes a "reset" is helpful when seemingly intractable behaviors are observed. All of that said, biting is not acceptable and I've found the time-out method to be best. Above all else, consistency is vital with parrots. If feasible, try to establish more time with him, create a defined schedule of sleeping (make sure he gets sufficient) and eating.

 

[Allee]

Hi there,

My 3 or 4 year old white bellied caique has been acting differently lately. He has been a great bird since we got him in and is very friendly. A few years ago he started getting hormonal which I read is normal for caiques. It ended up mostly being a phase and we were just careful to watch when his behavior started to change and adjusted our playtime and such.

More recently though he has started to be downright aggressive at times and it scares me. He has bitten and even lunges at me or my kids occasionally. Because of this behavior he has been spending more time in his cage which I don't think is helping the issue. I've been working a lot but my schedule is changing and I'll be able to spend more time with him in future weeks. This morning I took him out of his cage and we played for a bit. I took a phone call (I'm not sure if that is what started his behavior or not) and his eyes dilated and he started posturing. He then flew at me as I walked away. I know to usually give him some time when he "gets bipolar" but now he is starting to be more aggressive and seeks out a fight it seems. I don't know where to start with changing the behavior. Do I spend more time with him in hopes that it will get better? Do I change up the toys in his cage to give him a new perspective? Do I make him some banana bread? (He loves banana bread and hasn't had it lately because I've been so busy). I know my schedule could have a lot to do with his behavior (and I'm working on that) but he seems to be less relaxed around my kids lately which is not okay and bit my 10 year old daughter fairly hard on her shoulder for no reason last week. I need to do something!

Please help! Any kind of guidance is appreciated. Thank you!

It sounds like you have a great relationship with your bird. I think your assessment is probably exactly right, a combination of hormones and less attention than usual. Your ideas are excellent, make changes in his environment and hope they extend to his attitude. There's magic in a fresh batch of birdie bread.

We all have our favorite training methods and our opinions on clipping. You stated your bird flies at you, my birds are also fully flighted, for that reason I chose station training. My birds aren't allowed on the floor, they have play stations outside their cages set up with water, toys and snacks, agressive behavior, especially biting results in a time out at a designated station. When a bird is obviously hormonal or in an agitated state interaction or close contact is denied. If the behavior continues, then I send the offender to his or her personal space for a time out, three is my limit, a third offense results in the culprit returning to the cage, this time with the door closed. It's not an instant fix but once taught it works like a charm and the bird doesn't have to lose too much out of cage time. Busy schedules can't always be avoided, nothing to feel guilty about. I've found fifteen minutes of one on one time with a feathered friend can brighten their day and mine, one situation where less is sometimes more. Fifteen minute sessions add up, for instance, my U2 loves hugs and bananas, if I hold the banana, Poppy thinks the flavor is greatly improved. My African Grey loves it when I take the time to have a chat and sing with only him. Focus on the positives and reward, don't over reward negative behavior with drama but also don't ignore, choose a plan of action and be consistent.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Great advice. If I had had ths place when the Rbird was little, he might be less of a terror. Good for you for reaching out.