Senegal becoming aggressive!

[jmaikels]

My girlfriend Maria and I have 7 birds all together. We keep all of their wings clipped. They are caged at night and during the day are able to roam around in their large bird room. The problem we are having is with our senegal "Sophie", not sure of sex. Sophie is bonded to my girlfriend Maria and pretty much hates everyone else. The problem is that she is biting Maria a lot lately and normally she didn't. In response to these bites Maria will put her in her cage for a time out. It worked in the past when she would only bite once in a while. When Maria goes to put her down she doesn't want to get off and will bite or try to bite. So she started using treats for step up's and step downs. We've changed up the toys and rearranged the bird room but thats not helping either. She's about 4 years old and we've had her for almost 2 years. Any suggestions would be great because we don't know what else to do.

 

[crimson]

From what I understand, Senegals tend to be a one owner bird. I own a Senegal as well, he's just 10 months old, and we are working with him everyday on stepping up, even when he doesn't choose to I'm finding they can be tempermental and territorial.
one minute you can pat them, then the next you almost loose a finger.
My Senegal lets me know when I've done something that he didn't like, so I stop immediately, and try a different approach, usually with some success.
I usually don't try and remove Safari for at least 10-15 minutes of spending time with him, whether it's stroking the top of his head, or rubbing his beak, talking to him, getting kisses, etc...
he's more willing to be removed once he's got some attention.
Safari always knows when he is going to be put back in the cage(smart little monkey)
I offer a grape for him to hold onto while he steps up, thus preventing him from using his beak on me. (which he rarely does, he just climbs right back up my arm)
They are so smart they tend to be one step ahead of us

you could try the treat in the mouth as you place them back in the cage.
try working with him on a t-stand or a back of a chair, anything really that he can perch on comfortably, but will be lower than your eye level, use his favourite treats.
do 5 minute sessions stepping up for a treat, step down for a treat.

We did this with Safari when he started showing these signs and it worked within a few days.

Once he has shown he can be trusted without biting your wife, then you could try it and see how it goes. He's just gotten an attitude.... he'll come around.

I'm sure other members will have better advice than I can offer.

 

[mtdoramike]

If your Senegal is housed in the same room with your other birds, this maybe your problem. I had Tiki my Senegal housed in the same room as my Eclectus. Tiki turn quite aggressive with me and would bite for no reason and I don't mean those little love bites either. She would go after my hand like a rabbid dog and would bite sometimes two or three times before I could get her off of me.

Once I moved her into her own room and away from Mac she has been an angel. Well, as much of an angel as an Senegal can be. Senegal's are very jealous of other birds and prefer to be the only bird. So if you have that many birds (7), you may never cure the aggression problem. I also NEVER associate with either of my birds while in the same room as the other bird. But I only have two birds, so it's doable for me. But I don't see how you would be able to accomplish this.