My B&G hates my fiancé

Jul 1, 2016
47
0
Highland, CA
Parrots
9 year old B&G named George
19 year old B&G named Bo
20 year old CAG named Ruby
My B&G (George) hates my fiancé (Greg). He lunges, opens his mouth to attack, and has even gone into full attack mode by opening his wings and chasing Greg off the couch. He's entirely tame for me, and will sometimes behave in my presence for other people, but when I am absent, George acts as if everyone else is a threat. If he even catches Greg and I cuddling or getting close on the couch he gets agitated and ready to attack. Is there any way I can get him to at least behave around Greg? Neither of us care if he bonds or likes him, but it would be preferable if he wasn't so aggressive and would let Greg put him to bed or move him as needed. Greg's B&G also highly dislikes me but in a pinch I can move her. She's highly jealous over him too, but George has been less forgiving. Any tips would be appreciated.
 

GaleriaGila

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
May 14, 2016
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Cleveland area
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The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
Well, I'll leave the GOOD advice to others who have it.
Here's the wrong thing to do.
I had had my bird for years when my ol' man came along. The bird has always hated him. And he's fully flighted and fearless, and has no problem attacking husband OR me if he sees exchanges of physical affection, sooooooooooooo...
After years of trying unsuccessfully to straighten things out, I just gave up.
When he's loose, I don't touch other people. I pretty much go by Rbird's Rules all around.
When it's cage time, I toss a green chile in there and he scrambles in after it. Then everybody relaxes.
I have an old bird who is set in his ways, and may be a good example of what can happen if you DON'T do effective, early intervention.
I have reduced biting to almost zero over the decades... not because I've changed the bird, but I have changed me. And a lot of that has involved giving up on a lot of my desires/expectations.
No complaints, though.
I love him.
And now for the GOOD ADVICE...
:eek:
 

Flboy

Well-known member
Dec 28, 2014
12,598
4,101
Greater Orlando area, Florida
Parrots
JoJo, 'Special' GCC, Bongo, Cinnamon GCC(wife's)
From this point on, your betrothed is the only one who gives George his favorite treat! For now, most likely while he is in his cage(George). Other than giving treats, and respect, Greg should play hard to get!
 

Kentuckienne

Supporting Vendor
Oct 9, 2016
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Middle of nowhere (kentuckianna)
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Roommates include Gus, Blue and gold macaw rescue and Coco, secondhand amazon
From this point on, your betrothed is the only one who gives George his favorite treat! For now, most likely while he is in his cage(George). Other than giving treats, and respect, Greg should play hard to get!

I second that. Birdie affection can be bought, you just have to identify the proper currency. Food is often the easiest thing to use. Their little brain might be saying "bite the evil hand!" The little belly might be shouting "OOH! OOH! Goldfish cracker OMG!" Be prepared for an intermediate accept/change mind/bite phase, followed by accept/retreat/growl furiously phase.
 

GaleriaGila

Well-known member
Parrot of the Month 🏆
May 14, 2016
15,045
8,742
Cleveland area
Parrots
The Rickeybird, 38-year-old Patagonian Conure
See? I told you the GOOD advice would be along!
Y'all are great. :)
 
OP
A
Jul 1, 2016
47
0
Highland, CA
Parrots
9 year old B&G named George
19 year old B&G named Bo
20 year old CAG named Ruby
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #6
Seems like it'll be a long road just to get George to be civil with Greg. As of right now, George doesn't fly...should I worry about him flying to attack if I fledge him? I'm assuming I should wait until he learns some manners. I'm able to hand him off to most people, so he's not always this aggressive.
 

Loko

Member
Oct 1, 2016
393
19
Miami
Parrots
Sun Conure - Loco
Well from a psychology standpoint he probably sees your fiance as competition for you. If you can minimize or take away any behaviors that would complement those thoughts, it would help, along with the treat thing as mentioned above.
 

BeatriceC

New member
Feb 9, 2016
1,351
91
San Diego, CA
Parrots
Goofy (YNA), Oscar (Goffin 'too). Foster bird Betty (RLA). RIP Cookie, 1991-2016 ('tiel), Leo (Sengal), Charlotte (scarlet macaw). Grand-birds: Liam (budgie), Donovan (lovebird), RIP Angelo (budgie)
We did the favorite treat thing described above with MrC's Amazon. He hated me at first. Now we have a tentative understanding and peace agreement. That said, be prepared for it to take a lot of time. It took me three years to break through to Goofy.
 

SilleIN

Active member
Aug 18, 2016
495
33
Denmark
Parrots
Lots of parrots, most of them rescues
If George is ok with you handing him over to others, I would (along with the other great advice) hand George over to Greg at least once a day. Just let him sit there for a few minutes and then take him again. This gets George used to be on Gregs arm and down the line, Greg will be able to pick George up.

I used that method on Sugar (B&G) with the other members of my family and now they can all pick him up (sometimes they need a treat, but not every time)
 
OP
A
Jul 1, 2016
47
0
Highland, CA
Parrots
9 year old B&G named George
19 year old B&G named Bo
20 year old CAG named Ruby
  • Thread Starter
  • Thread starter
  • #12
How do the two get along when you are not around?
Same deal. Full on attack mode. Greg was trying to change his food and water today and he did everything in his power to grab a chunk of Greg in the process.
 

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