What I would like to know.

texsize

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It could be I should post this in the Amazon section but I thought it would get more general response in behavior.
Why do my amazon parrots treat me like a stranger at the slightest change in my appearance?:confused:
Example #1
Out of the shower with my wet hair slicked down, if I try to pick up or physically interact with them I will get bitten.
EX #2. I bought a wrist watch (see my post in off topic The reason that I) and if I am wearing it when I reach into the cage I will get bitten.
EX #3. Wearing a hat is suicide.
There are many other examples but I think you get the drift here. Does anyone else have this problem with there “ fill in the blank ___________ “ parrot ?
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happy410

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I made the mistake of wearing a band aid once.
My Amazon took no mercy on me by removing it very quickly. Other than that I don't have any issues if my appearance changes. My B&G looks at me funny when I have rollers my hair. He steps right up and tries to start ripping them out. I guess it's fun to play in mom's hair.
 

Tro

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I think they are more scared of the change on you but they still recognize you... When I wear a shower cap my bird is freaked out if I get to close lol, he is hesitant to step up when I get my nail color changed or he will try to bite my finger, he always attacks band aids ect. He's a GCC but I would imagine it depends on the individual bird. He still recognizes me but sees a change and is nervous about it at first IMO.
 

SailBoat

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At the base of Socializing your Amazon sits the development of a very huge comfort level in you! Only good things happen when you are around! If something is different you will make it safe /save your Amazon from it, etc....

Also, once again dealing with Basics here - Amazon Body Language! Amazon Body Language, Amazon Body Language! And, your not reading it!

The strong reality is: It is NEVER the Amazon's Fault! It is always the fault of the Human! Believe that fully and you will more quickly find what you are doing wrong and correct it!

You need to take a very close look at what you are doing and when things are different are you providing some kind of warning of that! Amazons as do most Parrots like BORING! If your changing things, you need to let your Amazon know that and introduce it! Surprise!!! is not considered an introduction!

You need to seriously think about starting with the basics and working out from there. It is clear that your Amazon is not comfortable with its surrounding. So, Why Is That?
 
OP
texsize

texsize

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I think they are more scared of the change on you but they still recognize you... When I wear a shower cap my bird is freaked out if I get to close lol, he is hesitant to step up when I get my nail color changed or he will try to bite my finger, he always attacks band aids ect. He's a GCC but I would imagine it depends on the individual bird. He still recognizes me but sees a change and is nervous about it at first IMO.

that makes sense.
Band-Aids are another no-no for me and my amazons.
try to handel them with a Band-Aid and I will need more band-aids LOL.

my cockatiels are not disturbed by the changes I listed. I can even wear my glases, it just gives them something else to play with.
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Terry57

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Our Amazons really mind if anything changes with our looks, but our BHP, Talli, hates any change at all. He doesn't mind hats, but only a certain one. And when I dyed my hair it was a month before I could hold him. I had to change my hair colour back to basic brown because he did not like it with a reddish tint.
 
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texsize

texsize

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Also, once again dealing with Basics here - Amazon Body Language! Amazon Body Language, Amazon Body Language! And, your not reading it!


You need to seriously think about starting with the basics and working out from there. It is clear that your Amazon is not comfortable with its surrounding. So, Why Is That?

YES I am reading his body language else I would not know he was upset by these changes right?... RIGHT!

I guess I can stop taking showers, stop washing my hair and never change my close. maybe that's how you live but it's not for me.
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Allee

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My quakers hate my glasses, they will wait for a chance to grab and fling them, they seldom see me without them so they aren't alarmed, for them it's just a fun thing to do.

My U2 does not recognize me without my glasses, she reacts just like she does to scary strangers. Wet hair gets the same reaction. Finally, I am now able to talk her out of it, apparently she can recognize my voice if not my appearance.
 

Printer bird

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Hats and winter coats had my conure fluffing up and angry (although he accepted it more the longer we had him). A hat will get you an alarm call from my pionus. Hat = stranger. So, we just don't wear hats (although wet hair seems to be OK). I think its because parrots are so visual that changes to how you look seem super wrong and upsetting to them.
 

RavensGryf

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My Pionus is also the one who freaks out if anyone has a hat or looks too different from usual. I've heard that countless times about Pionus in particular.
 

SailBoat

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Also, once again dealing with Basics here - Amazon Body Language! Amazon Body Language, Amazon Body Language! And, your not reading it!


You need to seriously think about starting with the basics and working out from there. It is clear that your Amazon is not comfortable with its surrounding. So, Why Is That?

YES I am reading his body language else I would not know he was upset by these changes right?... RIGHT!

I guess I can stop taking showers, stop washing my hair and never change my close. maybe that's how you live but it's not for me.
texsize

Nope, we do not live that way at all. But, since Amazons have a operative body language, when ours react - we ask why. The greater the number of things and/or times our Amazon is reacting and very true with things that had not been a problem in the past - we look at his over all comfort level.

If it is a couple of things, we work with introducing those items. Somethings they will just always react to and it is different for each Parrot. But when the reaction becomes or is wide-spread that is commonly a 'General Discomfort.' Example, we need to adjust the blinds in a specific part of our home since that side of the house is a flight path for young Red Tail Hawks!

I hope that helps with understanding the point I was making.
 

flyingron

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My quaker will surgically remove anything she doesn't think should be there.

My wife, having gotten her hair cut, confused the bird. It only took a couple of their mutual whistles at each other for her to recognize who she was.
 

BIRDIGIRL

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For the first couple of months that Mr Biggles (WFA) was here I had to wear green and exactly the same shade and make of green top and jeans thst I wore the day he came otherwise he would crash himself against the bars of his cage in terror. I bought 3 sets of identical cloths (tops and jeans all green and all the same shade ) just to apease Mr Biggles and if I went out anywhere wearing something different I had to hide myself from him...slowly slowly slowly I started introducing him to colours both in toys and also on me...very small changes to begin with and now I can almost wear anything around him and any colour but it took a while and even yet the odd new thing I wear can spook him but if I stand well back from his cage he is not scared of it, just doesnt trust it or want me to go near him carrying it or wearing it...one of the things that I daily introduce mr Biggles to that he has not got over his fear of is my phone which I use to photograph him with...hes still scared of that but he is getting better :) I guess being such observant creatures we should never underestimate the importance of colour shape size and motion to them and nomatter what training we give them or how we socialise them there are moments when they will see things in a way that baffles and confuses us and sometimes scares them. Our job is to reassure them and mske ourselves a safe haven for them in these moments by slowly taking the time to show them its okay and that thrre is nothing to be scared of.
 

Aquila

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Funny you mention wet hair, Tallulah, one of my greys, freaks out when my hair is wet. She puffs up and will hang off the cage and will try to grab me if I get too close! I don't know if it's my smell from the shower or what but I learned pretty quickly that she didn't like it! I do my best to act normal and not call attention to it. She's the only one that seems to act differently when it comes to my appearance.
 
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texsize

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[URL="http://www.parrotforums.com/584564-post.html" said:
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plumsmum2005

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