My Catalina Macaw I've had for 20 yrs no longer likes me

Klvp

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Jan 1, 2021
2
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Hilton, NY
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Catalina Macaw
She was always very attached to me from the very beginning, I always say she picked me. I literally never had an issue picking her up or touching her anywhere, she never bit me. But anyone else in my life over the past 20 yrs could never handle her no matter how much they tried. Well now fast forward to current times and my now husband who I've been with for 3 yrs has out of nowhere suddenly gained her affection. I would be ecstatic about this except that now she treats me like she has everyone else all this time. I can no longer hold her or pick her up without her trying to gouge the crap out me. Why such the abrupt change when I haven't done anything different to her to make her hate me? Is there anything I can do to win back her love?
 

plumsmum2005

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Nov 18, 2015
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England, UK
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Lou, Ruby, and Sonu.
Fly free Plum, my gorgeous boy.
Hi hun I bet you're heartbroken at this latest event? Please ask hubby to step back, be less hands on, all treats and good things come from you! It possibly has been building for a little while perhaps not realised by yourself? Ensure you are the one to clean and feed, give new toys etc. I have times where my G2 will suddenly favour my hubby and even want to bite me. This has only been for short periods up to now. If she is in this mood I back off, no point pushing mud uphill is there and tomorrow is another day.



Hubby can talk to her, you don't want her to dislike him do you? Examine what the daily/weekly routine is and what is the major factor that has contributed to this change? Wish you luck hun but please do not be angry or upset and don't push things they have to come back on her terms to be successful. Good luck! :)


PS one thing I do wonder is if he is stroking her inappropriately? Long body strokes, wing = foreplay. Keep to head skritches. Is she doing anything that could be considered mating behaviour with him?
 
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noodles123

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Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
You might also consider taking her to an avian vet for a full exam/ blood-work etc just to ensure nothing else is wrong..Actually...your husband should lol (due to the fact that he is in her good graces)



It probably isn't illness if you have seen a transfer of affection, but it is best to rule it out whenever you see a big change.



Otherwise, agree that your husband should let you do all of the most fun/preferred activities and treats with bird-- also, make sure that he doesn't associate you with him getting less attention-- if you detract from his attention around the husband, that could be part of your problem as well.
 
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Klvp

New member
Jan 1, 2021
2
0
Hilton, NY
Parrots
Catalina Macaw
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Thank you for the responses. We are thinking now it might be the "mating" thing. My husband started off petting her tail as that was the safest he could get at and be able to jump away in time when she tried to bite. He was persistent with that until just suddenly she let him touch more without snapping at him. So I guess she was just playing hard to get and eventually gave in to his "advances" lol. So we will try with him being completely hands off with all her care for awhile and see if she comes back around to loving her mommy again. Wish me luck! ��
 

plumsmum2005

New member
Nov 18, 2015
5,330
94
England, UK
Parrots
Lou, Ruby, and Sonu.
Fly free Plum, my gorgeous boy.
Just to share some experience hun - sometimes my G2 will ask me to come fetch her, so I do as I'm told and just sit back down with her and she runs straight over to hubby. If I go too close she will give the bite pose. He knows not to give into her constant inappropriate and appropriate requests. He just tells her that mummy gives the cuddles and then she will start to play or just be naughty and go back to her cage. See if hubby can engage in play rather than cuddles as you want her to love you both don't you? I did wonder at one time if it was going to be a problem, Lou's last owner being male and that she would naturally lean to my hubby? It (touch wood), seems to going in the way I hoped, hubby will play with her and the rest is me.



If I can get Lou to sit still I will sometimes read a book with her. These birds are capable of learning, it is us that just needs to know how to teach them.
 
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