To much freedom!

Hi guys, hope your all safe and well. Need some help with my GCC Kevin. Because I’m able, I have always allowed Kevin free range around house. He comes out around 8am and goes back to his cage when fed around 5ish. Throughout the day I give him periods of attention but he is free to pretty much roam around. He is however a very hormonal bird and is pretty nippy. Before six months he was a sweet bird that snuggled and slept on my head or shoulder. These days I dare let him near my face in case he nips me (he’s already bitten my lip). He is extremely territorial to the point he tries to claim spots around the house. However, I discourage this but he can fly into a temper tantrum. I know I’ve allowed him plenty of freedom but I want him to have a full and happy life and prefer not to keep him locked in a cage 24/7. Is this just a typical GCC behaviour or am I doing something wrong ?

How old is Kevin? Many of us have free range birds, and it does not lead to aggressiveness. Maturity and overloaded hormones can. Right now is prime breeding time, and Kevin may be feeling the urge. One of mine when reaching maturity actually attacked me for several years for no reason. At least I didn't see any reasons for it. Now several years later the attacks are gone, but our relationship also changed quite a bit.

He’s just turned 2 years old.
He’s my first bird so I’m still reading the signs/body language etc. It’s just so frustrating but maybe I expect too much ! He has the best of everything and wants for nothing and is loved so much. Last time when it was mating season,I knew as he would find objects to masturbate on (he hasn’t done this, YET). I use to be able to handle him but I can’t do that at moment as he only steps up on my hand and won’t tolerate petting.


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Sounds like maybe a good candidate for Target Training.

fiddlejen said:

Sounds like maybe a good candidate for Target Training.

Click to expand...

Did try target training but all he did was eat the ball at the end of the target stick, he thought that was the game.


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This year has been over the top regarding the chemical flow of Hormonal Season! It Started Early and for many is still flowing.

Not sure what interactions you are using or whether you have a well defined relationship or are still working on one. If your Parrot is not Stepping-up upon request, you should consider starting over with that basic interaction first.

Being extremely territorial especially this time of year in the Great White North can be tied to Hormonal Season.

Free-Roaming Parrots tend to be easier to get along with as the stress of in and out of the cage is not in play.

Assure that your basics are in place:
- Only Good Things Happen when Humans are around!
- Treats are a great tool for winning your Parrot toward you thinking.

- It's never the fault of the Parrot!
- It's Always the fault of the Human!
By changing your vantage point, you will be quicker at determining what you are doing wrong and changing it.

As usual guys you are super informative. Thank you so much for everyone’s input. Have taken onboard all your comments [emoji1696]here’s to bite free hands.


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You said the last time it was mating season, he...

If he’s only 2 now, how old was he then? When do GCCs get horny?

karensimki1962 said:

fiddlejen said:

Sounds like maybe a good candidate for Target Training.

Click to expand...

Did try target training but all he did was eat the ball at the end of the target stick, he thought that was the game.


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Click to expand...

Then you failed, not the bird.

Just like the dog that doesn't come on command. Owner fail.

Try again. Read up on it, and maybe do smaller incremental steps.

I know there's many bird/target training videos out there that could help.

How old is Kevin? Saying “before six months, then now” suggests to me at least that he’s approximately 1. If that is correct, then you’re dealing with puberty, a hard time for anyone.

So to tie everything into a neat bow, the behavior you’re experiencing to be clear is not caused by too much out of cage time. It’s caused by an unfortunate confluence: a general lack of training, exacerbated by (and highlighted by) what is likely puberty.

Everyone is right: it’s back to training basics for you. Temper your short term expectations, has hormones can play an antagonist role in training, so it may take a bit longer for the trainIng to stick.

But stick it will, because puberty and the hormones will eventually subside and you will have your sweet buddy back. That antagonist will get out of the way and you’ll see the hard training you’ve done really take hold.

Biggest key: if you haven’t done so, spend sometime finding out the birds favorite treat, and only offer it as a training treat. Don’t let it into the main diet.