Hormonal Amazon

Hermit57

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Aug 16, 2013
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West Virginia
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Rocko - Blue Fronted Amazon
Sasha - Goffin Cockatoo
Ziggy - Cockatiel
My BFA Rocko has been in the throes of his hormones since October and I am the object of his aggression. To keep a daily positive interaction, I have clicker trained him (he beaks a stick, I click, he gets a treat) and he's as sweet as can be during the training sessions. Once they're done, I'm fair game. He watches me if I sit quietly, but as soon as I walk around he flies at me and attacks like he's from the Hitchcock movie.

I don't want to do anything that could cause long term damage to our relationship. I'd like to clip his wings, but I'm concerned that what it would take for me to towel him might be worse in the long run than keeping him flighted for a few hours a day until his hormonal stage passes. I have toweled him in the past for clipping, but I know that doing it now would be difficult for both of us. Or am I encouraging his aggression by letting him dive bomb me at will? Right now I wear a hoodie while he's out and flap some newspaper at him when he attacks. I'm also thinking about blocking the doorway from his cage room to the living area, but not sure if isolating him would cause problems.

Any ideas? Am I over thinking all of this?
 

Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
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111
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1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
To me, that doesn't sound like hormonal behavior, that sounds like he gets a kick out of chasing you around and scaring the xyz out of you. Seriously, this may have started when he was hormonal but their mating season only lasts a month or 2 and is usually in the late winter/early spring as the days get longer. Amazons are smart birds, and he might have done it once, got a reaction he found amusing, thus has continued to repeat the behavior because it's fun to him.

Next time he does that, flip your head down real fast so he falls off. As a flighted bird, he will make it to the ground fine. Once he's on the floor, you command him to step up, and if he bites, show no reaction, stare him directly in the eye and repeat your command. Then put him back in his cage for a few minutes to calm down. Right now, he finds you freaking out funny, make it so he understands attacking you from above is not fun for him, and he will end up on the ground. If he continues, clip him. It is dangerous for both you and the bird if he's launching arial assaults on your head. Swatting at him with a newspaper or your hands could result in a broken bone for him and him being in that mood on your head could result in a facial injury for you.
 
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Hermit57

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Aug 16, 2013
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West Virginia
Parrots
Rocko - Blue Fronted Amazon
Sasha - Goffin Cockatoo
Ziggy - Cockatiel
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Thanks for your advice!

I had read where the first hormone cycle can be hard on them. He's also been doing his 'matey dance' in his cage daily. I tried getting him to step up using the training stick. Big mistake. He nailed my arm pretty good.
 
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Kiwibird

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2012
9,539
111
Parrots
1 BFA- Kiwi. Hatch circa 98', forever home with us Dec. 08'
Ya, their first hormones can be nasty, especially males, and especially when they choose to dive bomb you. That has got to be one of the worst behaviors to deal with because you can't necessarily see it coming, nor should you just hold a straight face and allow then to attack you near your eyes and neck.

I did want to point out that arms and hands will heal, your eyes (which a vicious attack bird can reach) will not, which is why it is acceptable in that circumstance to get the bird safely to the ground. You should never ever do that under normal circumstances. If he attacks your hand or arm, you hold as straight a face as possible, look him in the eye and let him gnaw until he gets the point- it doesn't work and is not the right way to communicate (and yes, it is very painful and horrible, but it will heal). And you should stick train him, or glove train (falconers glove). There is no need to subject yourself to unnecessary bites. I would always rather avoid and prevent a bite than have to sit there and take it so the bird doesn't get the reaction he's seeking. I love Kiwi, and I understand he can't help his hormones, but I don't want to deal with vicious bites because he's in season. I get him on the stick, but he also comes to the glove. Either way, it's safe for both of us. I actually integrate the stick into our everyday interactions, even when he's in a good mood. Just every so often he gets to step to the stick, that way he never interprets it as a punishment and remains used to it. There is also a piece of duct tape about halfway down the stick. It serves as a visual boundary he is not to cross.

Edit: to clarify, when I say get him on the stick, I'm talking about a wood dowel he can ride on in lieu of your hand, not a target training stick.
 
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henpecked

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Dec 12, 2010
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NC/FLA
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Jake YNA 1970,Kia Panama amazon1975, both i removed from nest and left siblings, Forever Home to,Stacie (YN hen),Mickie (RLA male),Blinkie (YNA hen),Kong (Panama hen),Rescue Zons;Nitro,Echo,Rocky,Rub
My BFA Rocko has been in the throes of his hormones since October and I am the object of his aggression. To keep a daily positive interaction, I have clicker trained him (he beaks a stick, I click, he gets a treat) and he's as sweet as can be during the training sessions. Once they're done, I'm fair game. He watches me if I sit quietly, but as soon as I walk around he flies at me and attacks like he's from the Hitchcock movie.

I don't want to do anything that could cause long term damage to our relationship. I'd like to clip his wings, but I'm concerned that what it would take for me to towel him might be worse in the long run than keeping him flighted for a few hours a day until his hormonal stage passes. I have toweled him in the past for clipping, but I know that doing it now would be difficult for both of us. Or am I encouraging his aggression by letting him dive bomb me at will? Right now I wear a hoodie while he's out and flap some newspaper at him when he attacks. I'm also thinking about blocking the doorway from his cage room to the living area, but not sure if isolating him would cause problems.

Any ideas? Am I over thinking all of this?

My first reaction is ,your allowing this to happen. Clip him if that's what it takes for you to be in charge. Right now he's calling the shots and is the flock leader. Pick battles you can win and be a leader. Set the boundaries, put him away before he is ready.( be incharge of "pets")Be a flock leader and let him know how things are in your house.he's only checking to see if a leader is needed, be that leader and he'll be happy enough.
 
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TessieB

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Nov 3, 2013
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Upstate, South Carolina
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1 Blue Front Amazon, 1 Yellow Head Amazon, 4 Cockatiels, 2 Parakeets
Clipping the wings of a dive bomber will slow down Mr. Attack my Owner. Like Henpecked said, you have to be very proactive with pets. Be aware of your bird's behavior, and if he's feeling nasty, but him in his cage, and leave the room. You can try things like move his cage to another part of the house, but that is only a temporary fix. There a several books out on Amazon behavior so you can get all the information you need. Just be consistent when dealing hormones and remind your bird you are boss bird by making him do basic behaviors. If he wants to be sassy, but him in his cage and wait for a better time.
 
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Hermit57

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Aug 16, 2013
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West Virginia
Parrots
Rocko - Blue Fronted Amazon
Sasha - Goffin Cockatoo
Ziggy - Cockatiel
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Thanks to all for your comments and support! You are all correct in that I am only encouraging his behavior by allowing it to continue. My biggest fear is approaching in a way that might cause a long term problem. I'm certainly willing and able to 'ride out' the hormone storm along with behavior modification and keep us both safe in the meantime.

I was able to towel him today and clip his wings. I used his strategy against him by letting him chase me into a bedroom then closing the door to block his escape. I had styptic powder and a small pair of needle nose pliers nearby in case I hit a blood feather. I approached him calmly using a soft voice, then quickly moved in to wrap him up. I got through it pretty quick, except he actually grabbed the scissor handle at one point and it took a bit to get them out :). I only got bit once, so as far as I'm concerned it went far better than I anticipated!
 
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Hermit57

New member
Aug 16, 2013
31
0
West Virginia
Parrots
Rocko - Blue Fronted Amazon
Sasha - Goffin Cockatoo
Ziggy - Cockatiel
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  • Thread starter
  • #10
I hadn't heard of 'stationing' before but I'll definitely explore it. I know Rocko is very food motivated and goes bonkers over crackers. If I shake the box, he goes back to his cage. Not exactly stationing, but a responsive action that makes it his idea to get back in the cage.
 
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Hermit57

New member
Aug 16, 2013
31
0
West Virginia
Parrots
Rocko - Blue Fronted Amazon
Sasha - Goffin Cockatoo
Ziggy - Cockatiel
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #11
Big difference since I clipped his wings! He's now happily spending time with the family again, hanging out on the back of the sofa.

My son had a box of crackers, and Rocko ran up to his feet saying 'Up! Up! Up!" He stepped up readily and was rewarded with a cracker :)
 

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