Biting my partner

Hi there,

I have just joined this site today and I want some advice on how to get my Amazon to stop attacking my partner when she goes to stroke him if I am around. I understand there may be some rivalry and jealousy as he has chosen me to bond with.

He will go to my partner but not without some growling or threatening (and on many occasions a bite)

He is fine around other people and has so******ed well. They spend a lot of time together when I am out of the house with little to no hassle. We have had some advice to say that he needs to integrate into our flock rather than him feeling he is the head of the flock.

He is still young as he was only born in April and where possible I would like for him to get on with my partner with me around.

Naturally my partner has become a little wary of him after a bite which drew blood and took skin off and tries very hard not to flinch when he comes near her. Armani will step up onto her and is fairly tolerant but if there are any ways for the two of them to bond better I would be very happy to learn them.

Thank you so much

Armani's Mum

Armani sees her as competition. Its the same way with my husband, and it doesn't completely go away, but can be helped. My U2 has gotten better with my husband, but Reno still sees him as competition so we have to be careful. Start out by finding what Armani really enjoys. Have your partner start to be the only one to do that with him. It takes a lot of patience, and bravery. Armani will pick up on your partners wariness before anything and in return will make him nervous. Your partner will need to completely clear her head and be as confident as possible. Never force Armani to do anything he doesn't want to do as that is just asking for a bite. Some of the other members will probably have more in depth advice for you, but that is how I started with Reno. Best of luck!!!

Your wife will have to be the one to clean the cage and feed and give the bird a shower so the bird has to learn in order for all his needs to be met he has to accept her too.

Yes your partner should be the one to do all the caring and especially feeding for him. You should take a step back out of the limelight for a while. He will eventually learn your partner is part of the flock also.

melinda said:

Your wife will have to be the one to clean the cage and feed and give the bird a shower so the bird has to learn in order for all his needs to be met he has to accept her too.

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Hi thanks you all for the feedback I am the mummy that get the wing action and bites lol....

I would like to know Armani being high on his cage does that make him feel bigger better big brother to me ??


Thanks

When Armani is taller then you it makes them feel dominate or in control. That is why it isn't a good idea to allow a bird on your shoulder. It is very hard to resist, but can save you from a lot of pain and stitches if you don't allow it.

How is it suggested then that we action this then. Armani's cage is much taller than my wife which is where the bulk of the bad behaviour starts. (This is starting to make sense)

Armani rarely sits on my wife's shoulder however he does sit on mine. I don't have any problems at this point with him doing so however my wife is much shorter than I am and therefore Armani is once again taller in the physical pecking order (pun intended)

We are starting to make some ground on this which is good. Thank you

When going to the cage, your wife could stand on a chair so they are equals. Never force him to come near her or force him out. If he does come down on his own, promptly have her give him a very tasty treat. Have her talk a lot to him and even sing to him. Everything needs to be done with complete confidence and in Armani's time.

Amazons respond well to confident people (that's why they call em Bird People),and why many Amazons don't do well with kids.Physical size doesn't have much to do with it, it's more about your presence , are you confident ? Trustworthy. Yes they will bond to someone and fight with anyone in that favorite persons presence but with work the less favorite others can be accepted. It just takes time.Don't make an issue with her and you with the bird, she can have her time when your gone. After he gets older and not hormonal he'll figure out your wife is OK, may even leave you for her one day. LOL If your wife finds something special that the zon likes to do or eat, let that be her special treat to share with him.Your bird is still very young and learning his way (place,status) in your flock. In many pairs of amazons the smaller hens are the real boss and males tend to accept that. They don't have to be king to be happy, just need to know where they stand (feel safe).

When I brought Lucky home, he didn't accept me- worth to mention, that I was the one, who wanted Amazon so bad!!!
He immediately found out bond with my boyfriend. I'm the one, who is cleaning, feeding, etc., etc.
I'm strong minded person, but IMO Amazon choices are like lottery. I took it as a blessing: my boyfriend is happy, Lucky with time is getting less scared of me, and sometimes he even talks to me.
I believe, that in such a situation, time and patience are the clue.
And on the other hand, I admire Amazons, that they choose their favorites; they have character and I respect them and love even more for that

I would suggest your wife to work with him in a room that he does not normaly go into. If you have to take him in and set him down and walk away thats fine i would let them start out with him on the back of a chair and she just talk and hand feed him special treats that he loves, but only gets from her. It will go smoother if she isn't afraid of him and he can not see or hear you. Don't rush him or push him to do something he does not want because that will end with a bite. If after the first time both him and your wife enjoy the time together do it more often, but if he is afraid then you will have to try other things. Zons are great birds but need to know where they are in the flock. As long as your wife is afriad of him it will always be a battle between the both of them.

henpecked said:

Amazons respond well to confident people (that's why they call em Bird People),and why many Amazons don't do well with kids.Physical size doesn't have much to do with it, it's more about your presence , are you confident ? Trustworthy. Yes they will bond to someone and fight with anyone in that favorite persons presence but with work the less favorite others can be accepted. It just takes time.Don't make an issue with her and you with the bird, she can have her time when your gone. After he gets older and not hormonal he'll figure out your wife is OK, may even leave you for her one day. LOL If your wife finds something special that the zon likes to do or eat, let that be her special treat to share with him.Your bird is still very young and learning his way (place,status) in your flock. In many pairs of amazons the smaller hens are the real boss and males tend to accept that. They don't have to be king to be happy, just need to know where they stand (feel safe).

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I think 'confidence' has a lot to do with how you get along with your parrot..

Great post... Thanks..

melinda said:

I would suggest your wife to work with him in a room that he does not normaly go into. If you have to take him in and set him down and walk away thats fine i would let them start out with him on the back of a chair and she just talk and hand feed him special treats that he loves, but only gets from her. It will go smoother if she isn't afraid of him and he can not see or hear you. Don't rush him or push him to do something he does not want because that will end with a bite. If after the first time both him and your wife enjoy the time together do it more often, but if he is afraid then you will have to try other things. Zons are great birds but need to know where they are in the flock. As long as your wife is afriad of him it will always be a battle between the both of them.

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Very good point Melinda. I was wrong about the cage and i am sorry for the bad advice. As Melinda stated, a neutral area is always better. I apologize for that. I remembered that from when I first got Reno and he was on his cage and I couldn't get him in. Different circumstances. I apologize for that.

Birds naturally want to be high up. It does not make them feel dominate. According to many parrot experts this hight dominance theory is old school.

I was only trying to help with the information I obtained when consulting a certified avian spe******t. I apologize for the inaccuracy. The advice seemed to work for me, but it may have just been luck. Best of luck to you and your baby

Hi! You know my parrot does the same! I've consulted vets (Veterinary and vet services review and complaints), but all of them had different answers..

ArmanitheAmazon - Off topic but the shower pic you posted is adorable!