Unsure of baby B&G behavior

[Heisenburd]

Hey guys! I'm new to the forum so forgive me if this has been covered somewhere. Lol. I'm not new to parrot ownership, but my baby's behavior has me a bit baffled.

I brought home an eight week old Blue and Gold Macaw a few weeks back to finish off his hand-feeding and raise him as a pet. I've raised many parrots, and so far everything is panning out great! He's settled in well, is very friendly, playful, alert, has a great appetite and loves to be cuddled and preened.

My question is; over the last week or so... he's begun to hiss and sort of 'lunge' at me when I open his cage to get him out for feeding. It doesn't seem aggressive, but almost fearful? He doesn't really shy away from me and adores contact so this has me very confused.

So tonight, I have him out with some of his toys, giving him some attention and he's getting very 'worked up' or 'excited' and hissing and moving toward me and his toys in this manner before he plays with or tests them out with his beak.

Is this him acting excited? Or is he afraid? Any advice on this would be great. If he's suddenly acting fearful, I'd like to find a way to fix it or if this is a sign he could start acting aggressive, I'd like to curb it before it starts.

His behavior seems so contradicting. Lol

Thanks in advance!

-H

 

[NightProwess]

Welcome to the forum!
I'm still pretty new here, but there's lots of knowledgeable people here that will be able to help you out.
Hope you get things resolved soon!
Would love to see pics of your baby =)

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hi there, and welcome to the forum.

Sounds like your "little" one is growing up a wee bit, and he's testing his "oats", nothing more. I don't believe any of his behavior is aggression or fear based. As he grows bigger and stronger, you'll be hearing him make more and more sounds and gestures. It's all part of growing up.

How is he currently housed? Could you share some pictures with us, please?

 

[MikeyTN]

I see you've had him for about 2 weeks, when did he started this? Sometimes by changing the hand feeder will effect how they act towards you too. He's just unsure right now and it will take him a little bit to get adjusted to you.

 

[Heisenburd]

Thanks for the info guys!

I've had him.. going on three weeks now and he just started doing this over the last few days. That's why I don't think it's fear. He knows me well now, loves contact... but just acts 'out' like this when he's excited, it seems. Like, as I type this, he's beside me... and every once in a while he'll come try and chew on my laptop and hiss or lunge at it randomly. Almost like he's challenging it. He's content otherwise, and not ten minutes ago he was resting beside me grinding his beak after his nightly feeding.

Ps: It also seems like he tries to regurgitate sometimes when he's excited.

Also; here are a few pictures of him! This is Tilly.

 

[cstambaugh]

Hissing video

Like this? Its playful.
Regurgitation is huge sign of affection.

 

[punkindave]

Is there a fan in the laptop?? My Caiques get super playful and fight over who gets to be near the warm breeze coming out!

 

[Birdman666]

Without having actually seen it, it does sound more like an "excitement" thing than anything to me...

Lunging, with a macaw, does not always equate to biting or even latching on, and is neither fear, nor aggression.

Beak wrestling involves lots of lunging, which is just macaw for "play."

 

[MikeyTN]

By seeing the baby pics of how hes acting I would say its excitement! Regurgitating part of affection isn't done right now as he's still a bit too young. But sometimes when they're overly excited they may vomit some up. Its nothing to be worried about unless he's doing it too much and too often, then I would be concerned.

 

[ann]

first of all, that has to be the cutest thing i have seen in a very long time, i was squealing lol. that basically made my day
it sounds like he's just bluffing and being a little playful. good luck!