Flyte
New member
- Jun 18, 2007
- 354
- 3
- Parrots
- Blue & Gold Macaw, Madison;
Yellow Naped Amazon, Rocky;
Timneh African Grey, Tyler
Hi and welcome to you & Thomas. He's gorgeous! I have a female Blue & Gold, Madison. I guess she's about 12 years old now. I didn't have the same issues with her as your having with your new boy because I got her as a young chick who still needed hand feeding. She was the only one though, all my other babies were adopted 'problem' birds that other folks didn't want. The heart of almost every single problem with these birds was simply poor communication. They communicate VERY well, and I don't mean because they can talk, I mean body language that the previous owners weren't willing to listen too.
As everyone else has already stated, if the bird is biting in a mean way, a stick would probably work. I really don't like sticks. I have always just been able to get through to birds and handle them without much fear. Mostly this is just from, again, body language. When I first meet them I usually stretch my 'wings' slightly in greeting, and that almost always gets instant good attention. I try to extrude confidence and they see it and feel it and I am usually able to proceed without much trouble. (I wish I could be that confident with humans)
However, it doesn't sound to me like Thomas is really trying to hurt you, he's just trying to dominate and/or make a point with you. So, again, unless the bird is REALLY going for the gold, (doesn't sound like Thomas is) I would just accept the bite and remain as unruffled as you can. Let Thomas know your not intimidated by him. I do this with my Grey as often as possible because he needs to understand that he cannot use biting as a way to get what he wants. Do not let him near your face until you are QUITE sure of your relationship with him.
I used a squirt gun with my Grey the other day, 3 times around his foot/leg area. He would NOT stop with the extreme whistling in the middle of the night and he needed to be told to stop. Just telling him to stop didn't work as I would receive a very stubborn, NO! and sometimes even be told I was BAD MOM. He got the point and I have not had that problem with him again. I have had him for a long time though and we have a decent relationship, so he didn't get too angry with me. If it didn't work with Thomas for his bad behavior, I wouldn't do it again. A water gun or sterile water sprayer can be a fun thing too... spraying it into the air over him on a hot day when you have a good friendship going.
I would to the same thing with the screaming. Just try and ignore it. Don't get louder as he will think you are responding to him. It's just like a small child, throwing a tantrum in the aisle because they want a new toy they can't have. If you need to, leave the room. It will be a very loud couple of weeks but he WILL eventually get the point. Keep in mind if you slip up and yell at him or something you will probably have to start all over again. The flock call thing is different. Theres nothing wrong with responding to that as long as it doesn't prompt him into psycho screaming mode. If it does, try just going to say hi more often so he knows your still around.
I'm sure you already know not to allow him shoulder time or to climb on your arms if he is biting you or anxious. some people say don't ever let a large bird on your shoulder but I think it depends on the bird and the person. Also the situation. If I'm walking into a crowded room of strangers with Madison, she is not on my shoulder. She's usually on my hand half stuck to my chest. (Kind of embarrassing.. when she's nervous she likes to.. ahem.. grab onto one side of my chest with her foot and hold on for dear life..lol) Also, this makes it easier for me to ward off dumb people who thinks it's a good idea to reach out and touch an animal they don't know, regardless of the danger.
I hate to use my birds cages as a punishment because I want them to see their cages as a good place, where they can go to feel safe. For now though, theres really nothing else you can do. Eventually you two will reach an understanding and you can decide for yourself what the best 'time out' thing will be. Unfortunately, you will always need a time out 'thing' because, face it, you just adopted a perpetual 5 year old human child.
As some folks suggested, get or make a play stand and maybe have it in another room, a central room where he'd be getting more attention. This can be the place he gets to go when he's being a good boy.
The shower idea was wonderful!! I take my birds with me all the time. They love watching me shower but hate when I get them wet. Maybe you could have a morning routine with Thomas where he comes in and watches you shower and then can participate in some 'cleaning rituals'. For example, Madison has her own tooth brush which she uses to brush her beak while I brush my teeth. (child-safe toothbrush.. don't do this if Thomas you can't trust thomas not to injest softer toy items) It's pretty funny. She also likes me to wipe her face with the same wash cloth I used to wash mine, when I'm done. If I have some sort of paper towel or something, I tell her to put it in the garbage and then praise her lavishly when she does it. It's a great way to include her and make her feel good about herself.
I honestly don't have much of a problem with Madison, as her bites are usually more of a joke..for her. She will nip.. then nip a little harder and run away screaming 'no no ow booboo'. You'd think I beat her or something, with the way she reacts but the only physical punishment she has ever gotten was a bite back when she bit my finger too hard. This was ONLY because the two of us have a very good relationship and I know her body language VERY WELL. I didn't hurt her, just let her know that this was unacceptable in the way she would understand best. Obviously don't do this with Thomas, you might lose an eye.
Eek! sorry this was so long.. I just love talkin' bird
Congratulations on your new addition, I wish you the best of luck.
As everyone else has already stated, if the bird is biting in a mean way, a stick would probably work. I really don't like sticks. I have always just been able to get through to birds and handle them without much fear. Mostly this is just from, again, body language. When I first meet them I usually stretch my 'wings' slightly in greeting, and that almost always gets instant good attention. I try to extrude confidence and they see it and feel it and I am usually able to proceed without much trouble. (I wish I could be that confident with humans)
However, it doesn't sound to me like Thomas is really trying to hurt you, he's just trying to dominate and/or make a point with you. So, again, unless the bird is REALLY going for the gold, (doesn't sound like Thomas is) I would just accept the bite and remain as unruffled as you can. Let Thomas know your not intimidated by him. I do this with my Grey as often as possible because he needs to understand that he cannot use biting as a way to get what he wants. Do not let him near your face until you are QUITE sure of your relationship with him.
I used a squirt gun with my Grey the other day, 3 times around his foot/leg area. He would NOT stop with the extreme whistling in the middle of the night and he needed to be told to stop. Just telling him to stop didn't work as I would receive a very stubborn, NO! and sometimes even be told I was BAD MOM. He got the point and I have not had that problem with him again. I have had him for a long time though and we have a decent relationship, so he didn't get too angry with me. If it didn't work with Thomas for his bad behavior, I wouldn't do it again. A water gun or sterile water sprayer can be a fun thing too... spraying it into the air over him on a hot day when you have a good friendship going.
I would to the same thing with the screaming. Just try and ignore it. Don't get louder as he will think you are responding to him. It's just like a small child, throwing a tantrum in the aisle because they want a new toy they can't have. If you need to, leave the room. It will be a very loud couple of weeks but he WILL eventually get the point. Keep in mind if you slip up and yell at him or something you will probably have to start all over again. The flock call thing is different. Theres nothing wrong with responding to that as long as it doesn't prompt him into psycho screaming mode. If it does, try just going to say hi more often so he knows your still around.
I'm sure you already know not to allow him shoulder time or to climb on your arms if he is biting you or anxious. some people say don't ever let a large bird on your shoulder but I think it depends on the bird and the person. Also the situation. If I'm walking into a crowded room of strangers with Madison, she is not on my shoulder. She's usually on my hand half stuck to my chest. (Kind of embarrassing.. when she's nervous she likes to.. ahem.. grab onto one side of my chest with her foot and hold on for dear life..lol) Also, this makes it easier for me to ward off dumb people who thinks it's a good idea to reach out and touch an animal they don't know, regardless of the danger.
I hate to use my birds cages as a punishment because I want them to see their cages as a good place, where they can go to feel safe. For now though, theres really nothing else you can do. Eventually you two will reach an understanding and you can decide for yourself what the best 'time out' thing will be. Unfortunately, you will always need a time out 'thing' because, face it, you just adopted a perpetual 5 year old human child.
As some folks suggested, get or make a play stand and maybe have it in another room, a central room where he'd be getting more attention. This can be the place he gets to go when he's being a good boy.
The shower idea was wonderful!! I take my birds with me all the time. They love watching me shower but hate when I get them wet. Maybe you could have a morning routine with Thomas where he comes in and watches you shower and then can participate in some 'cleaning rituals'. For example, Madison has her own tooth brush which she uses to brush her beak while I brush my teeth. (child-safe toothbrush.. don't do this if Thomas you can't trust thomas not to injest softer toy items) It's pretty funny. She also likes me to wipe her face with the same wash cloth I used to wash mine, when I'm done. If I have some sort of paper towel or something, I tell her to put it in the garbage and then praise her lavishly when she does it. It's a great way to include her and make her feel good about herself.
I honestly don't have much of a problem with Madison, as her bites are usually more of a joke..for her. She will nip.. then nip a little harder and run away screaming 'no no ow booboo'. You'd think I beat her or something, with the way she reacts but the only physical punishment she has ever gotten was a bite back when she bit my finger too hard. This was ONLY because the two of us have a very good relationship and I know her body language VERY WELL. I didn't hurt her, just let her know that this was unacceptable in the way she would understand best. Obviously don't do this with Thomas, you might lose an eye.
Eek! sorry this was so long.. I just love talkin' bird
Congratulations on your new addition, I wish you the best of luck.
I hope that you can find a solution soon, to save your sanity!
