terrortortality

[msdeb]

Charlie has always been territorial about his cage. Since I usually have "my" spot next to his cage it is included in his territory. It has never been a problem until a few months ago. After years of it just being me and the kids and Charlie, a new person has entered our lives. Charlie seems to want to be friends but he doesn't like the new guy in "our" territory. It isn't an all the time thing, but Charlie will fly at the new guy and bite. So far Charlie has nailed him on the face, the back of the neck and had a couple of scary fly-bys. The new guy is not a fan of bird attacks but he really wants to be friends with Charlie the same way that I am. Charlie shares a banana every morning with our new guy and he is very interested in anything the new guy is eating. But he won't let the new guy touch, hold, or handle him at all. The new guy is very calm while being bitten, no screaming or excitement. He just covers the vitals and waits for me to rescue him from my jealous birdie. Any ideas?:

 

[JerseyWendy]

Unfortunately Charlie sees your 'new' guy as his competition, which can be a scary thing.

Before doing anything too drastic, I'd try to move his cage to a new location and re-arranging his cage, too. That may just be enough for him to snap out of it.

How's Charlie when you are not in sight with your 'new' guy?

 

[msdeb]

Forgot to mention that Charlie isn't sticktrained yet because some of his previous owners misused a stick. So to Charlie a stick is scary and associated with pain and aggression from people. I have not corrected this yet because Charlie steps up on my hand so readily. He is amazing! I can do practically anything with him now and he is so loving and sweet to me

 

[henpecked]

Like wendy said, get Charlie away from his comfort zone and let the new guy interact with him when no one else is around. Sounds like Charlie is food motivated, have the new guy use that to his advantage.

 

[msdeb]

Charlie is fine when we sit on the couch together (all of us) or when it is just he and I or he and the new guy. Mostly it is when new guy is standing and I am sitting. New guy approaches to show me something or to get a quick kiss goodbye. That is when Charlie goes into attack mode. As soon as new guy turns his back Charlie jumps him

 

[henpecked]

Yeah, that's really pretty common, they don't like changes, especially to their flock. maybe the new guy should play a little harder to get. Make Charlie come to him. (i've plenty of experience with a very jealous hen, but she does come around after awhile)