Severe Parrot problems.. Need help :'(

[Bering]

Hi all. It is for unfortunate reasons I had to register on the forum. I know these types of threads are probably common, but I have worked really hard for a month to try and turn these problems around.

It is a yellow naped Amazon, adopted in 2008. Tame, in the past I've been able to pat his back, stroke him and in general had quite a lot of trust - however not the possibility to move him around sadly.

About a month ago I came home from a 2 week holiday. My Boyfriend took care of my Parrot meanwhile, and in the past my parrot has been excellent at trusting a lot of different people, whenever he has been babysit. This time though, he stayed at home with Mr. BF.

My boyfriend said, he came closer to the bird, taught him to fly over on his arm and so on. Which is something he could do before, but stopped doing as we for a year lived in a small place they didn't allow for flying.

So, since I came home from holiday, my Parrot seemed fine for about a week before literally hell broke lose. I had moved some storage boxes in the parrot's room (We moved here 6 months ago) and now whenever I go near my parrot he literally attacks me.

Even if I stay away from the cage, or my boyfriend brings him out of the cage. He flies straight at me and attacks me. Attacks my face and primarily my arm. It's extremely hurtful bites, but the worst part really is, for some reason he must have lost trust in me and I no longer can be close to my bird.

My boyfriend and I have tried for a month to calm him down. My boyfriend is primarily the one moving him around, while I am the "good cop" giving him food etc. His general behavior when I am not around him, doesn't seem to have changed.

He attacked me again today, as I wanted to spend some time with him, while my BF was at work. He again flew at me, twice, to bite me. It's reached the point where, when he's rusling his feathers I get extremely scared and cower. Which obviously can't be a healthy reaction when my bird is near.

If I'm not comfortable, he probably won't be either. In the last half a year or so, whenever I have looked at him, or talked with him, he aggressively bites anything that is near him. I would imagine this would be common behavior, but he doesn't do it when my boyfriend speaks with him. It almost seems like he thinks "If this was your face, I'd bite it like this!"

I really don't know exactly what has happened for him to be this distrustful. We have been moving a lot, but in the past he's been completely fine in his new surroundings as long as he gets to sit in his cage undisturbed for a couple of days.

I really don't know what to do. My boyfriend questioned me last night, whether I actually wanted to keep the bird. Of course I do! But the fact he questions it, really shows how problematic this situation has become, and how rapidly it's become really bad.

It seems like it happened overnight. I wish he would accept treats too, so I could train him. I'd ultimately love a bird who trusts me, who I can move around the house on my arm without bites. Currently I am using a perch, he is always aggressive on the perch too if I hold it. If it's my boyfriend. He's fine with that.

I apologize for the very long post, but I've looked for weeks on the internet for any type of advise, and most things I can't even try out before getting ravaged.

I really hope anyone has some advice or can help, and hopefully in the future I can post some positive updates here.

 

[BeatriceC]

My experience with amazons is limited, but I am the non-favorite person of a YNA named Goofy. YNA's are pretty notorious for being one person birds, and it looks like your little guy has chosen your boyfriend. That's kind of heartbreaking for you, but it is possible to get back into the bird's good graces, but it may take a while.

I have been working with Goofy for literally years and we have a very tentative peace treaty only in the last few months. I can pet him only when he's in his cage, I ask him nicely, and he says yes. Here's how that works: I approach his cage, ask him "do you want scritches?" and if he comes forward and puts his head down, I pet him, and if he doesn't I walk away. He knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that I'm not going to touch him if he says no, and that helps with trust. I can also move him around on a stick and he will take food from me.

Now, that doesn't sound like much, I know, but it's the result of almost 3 years worth of work. It has seriously taken this long, and that's as far as we've gotten. If you're patient and move at the bird's pace, you can do this. You're doing a lot of good things, but you just have to be more stubborn than the bird and don't get hurt when he doesn't respond like he used to. Keep bringing him his food. Keep dropping treats into his bowl. Spend time in the room with him when he's in his cage and keep up a running conversation with him. I swear I sounded like a complete moron for these last few years talking to him and getting no response. I'd pretty much just narrate what I was doing so I didn't run out of things to say. After a few months, he finally started to take treats from me. After about a year, he occasionally let me pet him. Two and a half years in, he started getting up on a stick for me. We're still not in a place where he'll get on my arm, but he is letting me take him out and do some target training with him.

It all boils down to just being patient with him. Yes, it's frustrating to have to wait that long, especially considering this is your bird who's suddenly decided you're not the favorite human anymore, but it's worth it in the end, I promise.

 

[wrench13]

I agree very much with what beatrice is saying. Look, you in it for the long haul, right? SO even if the bird has made a choice of favorite person ( your BF), you obviously still mean something to the parrot. Its not positive right now, but you can turn it around.

ALso keep in mind parrots, especially Amazons, have emotions and hold grudges. Your parrot may have been really upset because you went away and left him.

 

[SailBoat]

Great recommendations in the above Posts.

It would also help for you and your BF to learn your Amazon's Body Language! Please see the first Thread on the Amazon Forum which is high lighted in light blue. Amazon's have very clear Body Language and once you take the time to truly learn and understand what your Amazon is telling you. Many things will become easier to understand.

With your Amazon in its cage, place a chair next to the cage and read the Thread on Amazon Body Language 'out loud' to your Amazon. Re-read it several times each day. With time, your Amazon will once again become more comfortable with you and more importantly, you will come to understand Amazon Body Language and as a result understand what your Amazon is telling you. Also, Amazon's love to be read too and when you read aloud to your Amazon, they will enjoy it!

A solid starting place in working with Amazons: It is never the fault of the Amazon! It is always the fault of the Human! If you truly work from this position, you will begin seeing what you are doing wrong and can make those changes!

It also sounds like your Amazon has been dealing with near on-going change and although your YNA has survived it in the past, it appears that s/he has been pushed too far and is truly unset with you.

Slow down! Redevelop your relationship by starting with the basics and grow the relationship from a fresh starting point.

 

[Bering]

Thank you all for the awesome feedback. I will try and spend more time in the room where his cage is, with him being inside the cage instead of outside. Hopefully that won't upset him more, and fingers crossed that he will slowly get used to me.

 

[SirEdwin89]

I can imagine how frustrating that must be, I feel for you. And to add to what you have gotten advice wise already, it helps to keep in mind just how intuitive parrots are. You have already mentioned that it has gotten to the point he can make you cower, and that's not a great thing. He is smart, and he probably realizes how easily he can control your actions now through fear.

The best advice I can give, as others have mentioned, is to work on bonding with him as much as possible in scenarios that leave you safe. Even if you think you are faking being comfortable when he is out, if you have any doubts, or nervousness, you aren't going to hide it from him. Keep him in his cage, sit near it, read books. Do you want kids in the future? Practice making up children's bedtime stories with him as the audience (not that you can only do this if you want kids down the road, but if you do its a great way to store up plenty of stories) But do it with him in his cage where YOU know he can't hurt you, so there isn't any fear or nervousness for him to pick up on.

Also, if him having a stronger bond with you than your boyfriend is important to you, ask your BF to take a step back from his involvement. Parrots are very self serving creatures, and if he is getting everything he wants from your boyfriend, it will only continue to strengthen that bond. Make sure you are the one giving him his food and water, and if he has *any* favorite treats, you should be the only one offering them to him.

And try to remember, it could be a very long process. Try not to let it discourage you, but instead just view it as a building block to future success, and remember to move at his pace, not yours. It kinda comes across mean sounding, but again, birds are self serving, he is far more concerned with what he wants, than with what you want, and if he feels like you are pushing him to do something, he could not do it just out of spite.

Don't give up though, time, patience, understanding and love can get us through the toughest challenges with our feathered friends, and we are all here to help you out along the way.

 

[Flboy]

I am so sorry for what you're going through I would be heartbroken to be in your position! I love my baby and if he started rejecting me I would be crushed!
Try turning the table, and play a little hard to get. That is what turned around the relationship for bongo and me! As a wise poster above, once said, approach it with the mindset, the bird can do no wrong it is something you are doing wrong!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Great advice!
May I second what was said about being wary of expectations, as they can lead to hurt feelings and more problems?
I love my bird endlessly, but... he is still sometimes aggressive, rejecting, frustrating, and even embarrassing. But that's okay! He's the Rickeybird. Not a loyal dog or an affectionate kitty... he's an awesome little Patagonian rooster.
I think you're wonderful for being so open and ready to listen. I'm not glad you're having problems, but I *AM* glad you joined us!

 

[wrench13]

You are getting world class advise here, the kind you would pay so called behaviorist consultants big bucks for. Gail, you put it in really human terms, and I am saving that one. Rooster, indeed.

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Great advice has been given here. There are ALOT of very knowledgeable "parronts" on this awesome forum. I have had Amy for almost 27 yrs now,and thought I knew her pretty darn well,but after joining this forum,I learned what a "newb" I still am lol.

PLEASE keep checking in with us,and posting. There is NEVER a dumb question asked. Parrot people are a unique bunch of people! We are here to assist you,reassure you,and give advice if you seek it.

Oh..a prerecquisite of joining us is...PICTURES!! WE NEED PICTURES!!


Jim

 

[mh434]

All of the above!! In my experience, many Amazons are extremely one-person birds. They bond VERY powerfully to their "chosen one", and will openly attack anyone else who approaches them or their cage. Often, they'll even attack their "chosen one", if the person they actually want to bite is out of reach (ask me how I know!! - I have the scars to prove it!).

Also, Amazons love to punish people, severely, for such heinous crimes as going away for a week & leaving someone else to care for them. I, personally, have suffered endless aggressive attacks from Sammy (in my avatar) for several weeks straight, after returning from even a long weekend away from him.

Plus, there are periods of the year (Sammy is a male, obviously) when they're hormonal, and NO approach goes unpunished. For Sammy, this only occurs about 50 weeks per year...

My wife feeds Sammy often, gives him treats daily, cleans his cage frequently, yet he will attack her mercilessly whenever it's possible to do so. You'd think, after 2 years, he'd be over it, but no...

You're not alone!

 

[BeatriceC]

All of the above!! In my experience, many Amazons are extremely one-person birds. They bond VERY powerfully to their "chosen one", and will openly attack anyone else who approaches them or their cage. Often, they'll even attack their "chosen one", if the person they actually want to bite is out of reach (ask me how I know!! - I have the scars to prove it!).

Also, Amazons love to punish people, severely, for such heinous crimes as going away for a week & leaving someone else to care for them. I, personally, have suffered endless aggressive attacks from Sammy (in my avatar) for several weeks straight, after returning from even a long weekend away from him.

Plus, there are periods of the year (Sammy is a male, obviously) when they're hormonal, and NO approach goes unpunished. For Sammy, this only occurs about 50 weeks per year...

My wife feeds Sammy often, gives him treats daily, cleans his cage frequently, yet he will attack her mercilessly whenever it's possible to do so. You'd think, after 2 years, he'd be over it, but no...

You're not alone!

It can be done but it takes patience a lot of effort, and nerves of steel, plus not getting your feelings hurt when the bird doesn't respond for so long. My major breakthrough with Goofy has just been in the last six months after literally years of effort with him. I seriously spent hours simply sitting in the same room talking to him like a crazy lady. Progress was painfully slow to nonexistent at times, but we now have a peace treaty.

 

[GaleriaGila]

Hang in there.
Parrot Nature is...powerful, amazing, beautiful, WILD...

 

[jaxx16]

Hi Bering! Welcome to the forums! You are definitely in the right place.

I recently was fortunate enough to become a parront of a yellow fronted amazon. She had a history of agression. At first it was pretty ugly. Biting, (blood and all), flying at me aggressively, ect. I thought I knew about zons because I had one 20 years ago. I could not have been more incorrect. I was very fortunate enough to get great advice from some wonderful people on this forum. The first being, "Read and understand the topic on Amazon body language"! It really helped me. I was also told that "time frame" is irrelevant, and this is so true! We have had our girl for two months and she has come along way in that short time frame. Two months ago, I couldnt really get too near her. This same girl, now lets me rub her head, touch her feathers, and eats with me most of the time! This only happened due to patience, consistency, and understanding her body language! I constantly talk to her, whistle with her, and even play with her. My zon still has a ways to go. She still will not get on a stick or my arm, but I believe she eventually will....IN HER TIME! And she still has her moments. And she holds a grudge very well at times....lol. Especially if I have to work late. You are definitely in the right place! Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Scott]

So much wonderful advice above!! Amazons are complicated little critters with powerful and intimidating beaks. Take it all in, develop a plan, and be prepared for two steps forward, one step back......

In the end it IS worth the effort as they are remarkable companions!!

 

[Danigrrl39]

Woohoo, your baby is mad at you and holding a serious grudge. It's going to take some patience. You have to earn the pecking order back. Because your baby thinks you left the flock and so adopted your boyfriend. It will just take lots of patience and time. I might also suggest some serious long sleeves because you will get bit in the process. Work with him alone. Start by something as simple as offering a reward when he approaches, then step away. Come back, offer another, step away. It'll take some patience but you can rebond.

 

[BIRDIGIRL]

I have no experience of large Amazons as I only have mr Biggles a small WF but I would agree with all the advice you hsve been given especially that of reading the first thread in the Amazon forum on Amazon Body Language for that is a must for any Amazon owner, also have your BF read it. You mentioned about cowering in fear when your bird is out and you think he is coming for you...this is one behaviour you are going to try to stop immediately...make yourself look big and tall and unafraid of him and when he lunges or comes at you have a towel or cushion to hand to make sure he bites the towel or cushion and not you...I know I read that here in this forum about the towel or cushion being used to deflect a bite attack and I think it was Mark (Birdman) who wrote it too but for the life if me I dont know where that post is now...I think it was written in relation to a macaw or a cockatoo but the same principal would apply to your bird. block the bite with something and save your face and then dont show fear or anger just towel him amd put him straight back to his cage and ignore him ...eventually he will back off when he sees the towel coming and return to the cage hmself....I know the post put it far better than Im putting it here so maybe if someone knows where the post is they might be able to link you to it. Hope this helps.

 

[Bering]

I appreciate all the help!
I have worked really hard and he is still attacking me. Basically the only option I have at the moment is bringing him outside of the room on a perch (where he tries to attack my hands constantly, so I'm juggling him around) and into the living room.

But he is also attacking me in the living room, so no change has been made. Sadly.
I have been considering bringing his holiday cage (a smaller cage) and let him live in that in the living room (where we spend the most time)
So he is not isolated in his own room.

We bring him into the living room whenever we are home, but lately I am not keen on it, as I am getting attacked a lot.

Would that be a good approach to go for?
Regarding body language, I've had him for about 6 years, so I can definitely see when he's angry or about to attack me, which has secured me in holding up a perch whenever he attacks me, so he attacks that one instead. I also read the body-language mega thread and it fits perfectly. My only concern is, how do I actually handle him. I know when to identify him doing what, but I'm not sure how to react to it at this point, as he has never been so aggressive before.

One question is though, when I am looking at him, and his eye is sort of flickering, what does that mean?

Here is a picture back when we were best friends and he was super tame!
That's is probably also the most hurtful part. Being friends and super happy at one point and now it's not a great experience.

 

[Birdman666]

1. A parrot that is attacking people's faces should be clipped.

2. Amazons are pair bond birds. Did he overbond with BF while you were gone? Is there a hormonal component to this?

3. Displacement biting? Are the boxes/objects upsetting him? Are you near them/messing with them when the attacks occur?

4. Bird training is a lifelong process. Sometimes you have to go back to basics and reinforce boundaries and no biting training. Start with a wing clipping attitude adjustment, then introduce him to "Mr. Towel" to reinforce the notion that "biting will not be tolerated in this household Mister!" If you permit the bird to dictate terms to you, he will, and he will continue to do so, until you reinforce the notion that this is "out of bounds."

5. Step up practice. laddering. reinforce the basics. THEN when his behavior is back under control, and you can trust him, you can allow the wings to grow out again. BUT NOT IF HE'S FLYING AT/BITING FACES!

6. My zons are also bite pressure trained. They're one of the harder birds to bite pressure train, but it can be done.

 

[Bering]

1. A parrot that is attacking people's faces should be clipped.

2. Amazons are pair bond birds. Did he overbond with BF while you were gone? Is there a hormonal component to this?

3. Displacement biting? Are the boxes/objects upsetting him? Are you near them/messing with them when the attacks occur?

4. Bird training is a lifelong process. Sometimes you have to go back to basics and reinforce boundaries and no biting training. Start with a wing clipping attitude adjustment, then introduce him to "Mr. Towel" to reinforce the notion that "biting will not be tolerated in this household Mister!" If you permit the bird to dictate terms to you, he will, and he will continue to do so, until you reinforce the notion that this is "out of bounds."

5. Step up practice. laddering. reinforce the basics. THEN when his behavior is back under control, and you can trust him, you can allow the wings to grow out again. BUT NOT IF HE'S FLYING AT/BITING FACES!

6. My zons are also bite pressure trained. They're one of the harder birds to bite pressure train, but it can be done.

Thanks for your advise. I'm very hesitant to do calm him with a towel. I'm afraid it will stress and scare him more, and make him even more scared of me, resulting in more biting sadly.

I'm also quite unsure about clipping him. I need to take him to the vet anyway to get his claws cut, as - well sadly I am no longer capable of doing it with our current relationship so strained. I might talk with the vet about clipping too, although there is not an avian vet nearby, so it has to be at the dog/cat vet. I'm thinking of letting my boyfriend bring him as they obviously are closer, than me now. And I don't want to be the villain bringing my parrot to the vet and making him distrust me even more.

At the moment, I'm very cautious what action I take towards my bird, as I don't want him to distrust me even more or be even more scared of me.

It's pretty risky business at the moment. I've only handled him in a towel once before and he hated it and it took a month of patience for him to regain trust in me.. and he really hates towells now! (I had to at that point, as I had cut his nails too deep ,so they started bleeding. Which didn't help the situation)

This was 3-4 years ago and we've been the best of friends 6 months.