4yr old wb caique -aggressive behaviour when settled and needing to go in cage for ev

Hi

Hoping someone can help

We have a 4 year old white bellied caique who we have had for 3 weeks-we took him in from my nephew who couldn't look after him any longer...

He is absolutely gorgeous and very tame, but we're starting to experience problems on an evening when we approach him to step up to go in his cage for sleep. It's like he knows its bedtime and doesn't want to leave. He fluffs right up and makes that awful noise and threatens and sometimes bites. We have tried offering him food to occupy his mouth but he just takes it, continues to sqwawk and transfers it to his foot so his beak is free! Eventually And often with a nip, we get him in sometimes by picking him up and the. He is fine.

Does anyone have any ideas? We are not experienced bird owners and took him in because he had no where to go. He loves being with us when we are in the house he is always in our lap or shoulder. The whole display is quite amusing as he looks like big bird from Sesame Street when he is in full swing but it is getting tiresome! He is a loving, funny and sociable friendly bird the rest of the time. We try to keep his bedtime to the same time each evening.

Thanks so much in advance
Helen

Have you tried putting him to bed sooner?

Caiques are awful when they don't want to do something [their so head strong ] .He knows your going to put him back . So why not try getting him [sit down on the couch ] and spend more interaction time with him .Make a big deal [lots of kisses] and tell him what a Good boy he is . So he doesn't associate going to bed as something he doesn't like .

From all I have read, stop the shouldering. He is in your house only a few days, and he already thinks he is "equal" to you because he perches on your level. As flock leader, you want him to be "less than" you. Once you gently establish pecking order, he will likely respond with less resistance to your leadership. (IE go to bed when you say). I am a recycled bird owner, but new to Caiques. Everything I read says if its not clear who the boss is, they will try to be the boss. In your home now, it's new turf, and to him, anyone can be the boss. Patience, love and firm all the way.