Alfie's change in mood

Alfie's mood

As normal I have gone to take Alfie out of his cage and I have been met with a nasty bite.

He doesn't seem to be himself today and just went back into his cage.

Met his moody side for the first time !

Re: Alfie's mood

Yesterday I also experienced Chu Chu's moody side. It's been a week and other than the first day, he's been sweet and outgoing. But yesterday while we were doing the dishes, he suddenly banged me hard with his beak in the face several times. I walked out and put him on the gym next to his cageand when I tried to pick him up later he lunged at me. I noticed he was preening more than usual so maybe the moulting made him irritable. Quien sabe?

At bedtime I picked him off the gym and placed him in his cage without incident. The good news is he has been very talkative and I heard him say "Jailbird" which is what I say when I'm locking him in the cage. And this after only one week.

Over the last few weeks since I adopted Alfie I've built up trust to get him to do pretty much anything I want him to.

However last 2 days while I have been at work when I've come home he's been in a nasty biting mood and refusing to do anything.

Finally found out why, my fiancé has been taking him out of the cage and he must have not liked it putting Alfie in a real bad mood!

How does your fiancé handle Alfie? Does Alfie like both of you? Or was it just you? Is it possible Alfie has changed his person of preference?

getwozzy said:

How does your fiancé handle Alfie? Does Alfie like both of you? Or was it just you? Is it possible Alfie has changed his person of preference?

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I've watched today,

When Alfie is out of his cage and my partner try's to get him to step up Alfie grips and will not budge, he snaps to bite my partner too and flys away.

Think he's taken to me and he gets in a very bad mood if my partner attempts to do anything with him, he accepts a scratch from anyone but he want move onto my partners shoulder and if he does he looks to fly.

Sounds like he doesn't quite trust your partner just yet- it's best for your partner to slow down and take things slower, at alfie's pace...you (or your partner) shouldn't "force" him to do anything he doesn't want to (like stepping up) because then you'll cause more trust issues.

I would also caution you not to have Alfie on your shoulder- amazons are notorious for "displacement biting" and it could lead to someone getting bit.

I would say both of you should spend one-on-one time with Alfie (at separate times), and your partner doesn't necessarily need to physically handle him in order to interact or have a positive impact. You take Alfie to a bedroom, leave him on a stand, walk out, have your partner walk in and sit close by...read him a story or just talk to him and if Alfie is food-motivated (amazons LOVE food) then have your partner either hand him pieces of a treat (apple slices for example) or put it in a nearby bowl -keep the sessions short and always end on a positive note...leave him wanting more interactions

getwozzy said:

I would also caution you not to have Alfie on your shoulder- amazons are notorious for "displacement biting" and it could lead to someone getting bit.

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I agree on this too and have see for myself how severe the wounds on one's ears and nose with a nippy Zon.

I'm hoping not, he's been ok on my shoulder and he never bites me other hand little kisses, I'm still on my guard just incase because he is still getting used to me.

Iambigsy said:

I'm hoping not, he's been ok on my shoulder and he never bites me other hand little kisses, I'm still on my guard just incase because he is still getting used to me.

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So far he's been ok on your shoulder, but let me just tell you that if Alfie has a change of mood while perched on your shoulder and takes a chunk out of your face, you can't say you weren't warned.

Amazons are notorious for changing their mood with the flip of a coin.

Why not be safe? Why not hold him on your hand/arm instead or risking a possibly horrific injury? It's also easier to read his body language while he's on your arm/hand.

Thanks guys, I'm still really new to having Alfie so with all the posts back I'm taking the info on board because it's only way I've been able to love forward with him.

But thanks for really good advise!