When blue fronts attack

Kiwi often sits on this little "bench" in the bathroom on his perch whilst I shower. He's usually pretty well behaved, but today he starts hollering and hissing and putting on a whole "I'm a big bad bird" display (spring must be in the air!). When I opened the door and stepped out, he lunged so violently he tipped the perch over, which propelled the creature straight into the shower (thank god he didn't hit a wall or have the perch fall on him). I quickly closed the door and let him stalk about in the shower, still hissing and flashing, so he could calm his butt down. It took 15 minutes of me calmly talking to him through the shower door to get him to a point he could be handled. I am less than amused at his attempt to attack me:20: Guess who's going to be getting step up drills and following the chopstick around like a baby bird later? Act like a feral monster, get treated like one. Seems we need to refresh and reinforce polite birdie behavior. He KNOWS he did wrong too, he's moping right now:31: He probably knows he's going to get his due justice of step up drills and some targeting later, as that's the protocol around here when he gets aggressive:54:

It seems we've had a rash of badly behaving blue fronts on the forum lately Are they conspiring or something? A big, blue front rebellion against the humans?

Sounds like you have things under control! Your post made me chuckle. My gcc can't inflict the pain of a blue front but he's moody too...but gets the same treatment when misbehavior gets the best of him.

I'm glad he didn't get you!! That would not be a pleasant thing to step out of the shower to !
You know how to handle it though . I think the drills and back to basics training is a great tool, as is stick training. Kiwi is moping lol, he probably wants to tell you "I'm sorry mom, but my hormones are going crazy right now since you won't get me a girl!!"

LeaKP said:

Sounds like you have things under control! Your post made me chuckle. My gcc can't inflict the pain of a blue front but he's moody too...but gets the same treatment when misbehavior gets the best of him.

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I, personally, feel parrots are creatures of higher intelligence and UNDERSTAND right from wrong in the context of a stable, familiar environment/people/situation. I also think they understand unfavorable consequences (like step up drills or simple target exercises) for negative behaviors a whole lot better than we're led to believe by "behaviorists".

Ive actually had Tequila sulk too after he got in trouble. I thought I was imagining it [but this sounds like a real thing].

Brady isn't being aggressive but she sure is being a hussie! I can barely make eye contact with her right now or she starts the clucking and trying to feed me! My lap has suddenly become off limits as soon as her feet hit my leg she hunkers down and is rubbing herself all over me. Do you mind NOT masturbating on me Brady? Thanks!

I'm glad Kiwi didn't get you or hurt himself!

Well , i'd say some thing about BFAs but the Napes aren't much different. You are just what Kiwi needs. Strong , confident, outgoing, a leader. In truth, kiwi's a happier bird having a flock leader. When they ( the zon) make the calls and control the situation,,,, "Chaos" is the result. Good Job ,, IMO. Great parront. Wish i had you to look after jake and the rest of the flock when i'm gone. Hubby need help with those job application down here?

OMG! Rehome him! He is evil! He hates you! He needs a new home! Whaaaaat? Relax, I'm kidding, I just get so sick of hearing people rehoming the first time their bird behaves like a wild animal; I'm glad he has you who won't let him get away with it, but isn't running in fear either! Good for you!

April, first let me say, I admire you so much for the way you interact with Kiwi. He's very lucky to have you for a mom. I can only imagine how the dear boy could walk all over an owner with less experience and a softer personality. I'm sure Kiwi is aware of his misdeeds.

Thank you for the giggle too. Your description of the creature propelled into the shower and you letting him walk it off was a hilarious visual.

Kiwibird said:

I, personally, feel parrots are creatures of higher intelligence and UNDERSTAND right from wrong in the context of a stable, familiar environment/people/situation. I also think they understand unfavorable consequences (like step up drills or simple target exercises) for negative behaviors a whole lot better than we're led to believe by "behaviorists".

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Heck, my dogs know when they've been Very Bad Dogs (they will skulk off to hide before I've even FOUND the McD's bag they've ripped to shreds), so I am sure that parrots do, too, considering how intelligent they are! Sammy has actually learned how to tell the dogs when THEY are being bad. If they come over to his cage and bark, he yells, STOP IT! BAD DOG! STOP IT!

Poor Kiwi, being sent back to kindergarten for his attitude. LOL!

First I'm sorry, I cracked up reading your post, second, I'm so glad Buddy is done with his season. Now he's molting and looks like a wreck.

I liked your drill method with him. Last night Buddy shocked Husband and I, we were standing at Buddy's cage, Buddy in his cage and Buddy flew at Husband, hit the bars and fell. He climbed up to his perch, me, I asked him what he was doing. He was flaring and showing aggression at Husband but the fact that he tried to attack him with the cage between them? Wow! Buddy is fine, he's being sweet now but those mood swings amaze me.
I am surprised that Mr. Spa wasn't in the shower hogging the water though, lol!

SilverSage said:

OMG! Rehome him! He is evil! He hates you! He needs a new home!

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I know right! Hang on while I make a post on craigslist.... After all, it's just *so* hard to take control of the situation as a full-grown, intelligent human when it's an animal the size of a football with the intelligence of a child that's after you! Sure, he can bite me, but I can EAT him. We both know this (though he occasionally seems to need to check if I remember that fact).

Poor Kiwi, being sent back to kindergarten for his attitude. LOL!

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It's a great way to discipline a parrot IMO. Not at all harmful, in fact, it's a bonding/positive interaction (just one they prefer not to practice anymore when they've known how for years and do it daily).

Oh its my DYH today too. Flew at me, doing the whole flashy eyes/tail flaring and grunts to with it. A huh spring again. They are the hot 3 lol.

Oh boy how I know THAT behavior! Amy will do that too. Stalk back and forth with her tail spread out.After 25 yrs with her I still just wait til she gets over her hissy fit!

Pinkbirdy said:

Ive actually had Tequila sulk too after he got in trouble. I thought I was imagining it [but this sounds like a real thing].

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OH NO.... It's entirely accurate. They pout big time...

I've also had them do the "suck up" number trying to get out of it... being extra charming or friendly. "Please forgive me."

Kiwibird said:

SilverSage said:

OMG! Rehome him! He is evil! He hates you! He needs a new home!

Click to expand...

I know right! Hang on while I make a post on craigslist.... After all, it's just *so* hard to take control of the situation as a full-grown, intelligent human when it's an animal the size of a football with the intelligence of a child that's after you! Sure, he can bite me, but I can EAT him. We both know this (though he occasionally seems to need to check if I remember that fact).

Poor Kiwi, being sent back to kindergarten for his attitude. LOL!

Click to expand...

It's a great way to discipline a parrot IMO. Not at all harmful, in fact, it's a bonding/positive interaction (just one they prefer not to practice anymore when they've known how for years and do it daily).

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EXACTLY! Parrot training is a life long process...

Sometimes they just need a refresher course in basic manners...

Every once in awhile they get a visit from the Vice Principal... (MR. TOWEL)

NO ONE LIKES SEEING THE VICE PRINCIPAL! I'LL BE GOOD FROM NOW ON I PROMISE!

Kiwibird said:

LeaKP said:

Sounds like you have things under control! Your post made me chuckle. My gcc can't inflict the pain of a blue front but he's moody too...but gets the same treatment when misbehavior gets the best of him.

Click to expand...

I, personally, feel parrots are creatures of higher intelligence and UNDERSTAND right from wrong in the context of a stable, familiar environment/people/situation. I also think they understand unfavorable consequences (like step up drills or simple target exercises) for negative behaviors a whole lot better than we're led to believe by "behaviorists".

Click to expand...

Hey, I'm an amature behaviorist, and that's EXACTLY what I do in that situation...

Did you turn the water on COLD? Like maybe you need a cold shower you little hormonal #@$%@!

Yeah, there's a fair amount of clucking going on in this house too...

I can barely scratch Sally's head anymore without it starting. And we aren't even touching anyplace else!

This story also made me laugh with the visuals! Silly bird!

Great way to handle this situation! Def. something for me to keep in mind as my guy starts to hit maturity.

Keep up the great work with him.