Biting

My umbrella has been the most gentle bird, he loves everyone and allows anyone to hold/pet him.

However,

Recently my girlfriend moved in, and whenever I am in the room with her and him, he bites her! If im not in the room, all is fine and dandy she can hold and snuggle with him.

Is this normal?

Oh, he just turned 4 if that matters.

Yes, this is normal, sorry to say. And hate to say...once he hits maturity, around 7,8yrs. old, it could get worse. The best you can do is to try and integrate your girlfriend with your bird by having her feed and interact with him/her consistently.

I've found that this helps but might not be the cure for cockatoos claiming their one and only.

It's now gotten worse

Now if I have the cage open, and she walks by he will climb down and take off across the floor looking for a foot/sneaker to bite! She's gotten bit by him several times now and is now scared of him and wont even feed him when his cage is shut.

He is about 7-8 years old now, I have had him almost 4 years and was told he was almost four when I received him. I love him to death, but it saddens me that he's no longer loveable to her. He is fine with anyone else still, I'm guessing it was because all the others are considered "visitors" and she is "competition"

Any advice? Will he grow out of this?

Is your GF willing to work with your cockatoo? Does your cockatoo know any commands (turn around, 'big eagle', shake head yes/no, wave, etc) that your GF could cue?

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Stationing | Lara Joseph


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I'm having this exact same problem with my roommate/cockatoo... it's unusual because Missy, my cockatoo, has never exhibited aggression towards anyone before. It started happening around the same time Missy starting exhibiting mating behaviors towards me, so I am fairly certain the two issues are related.

Does your bird associate you as a mate, maybe? He may just be protecting his flock (you)!

Have your girlfriend try interacting with him while he's in his cage - have her give him treats, talk to him, interact with him in ways that he enjoys interacting with you (without touching). Maybe then you can gradually work to non-physical interaction outside of his cage, then to physical interaction, and so on... My roommate is very reluctant to work with Missy, but she has lately been striking conversation with her and giving her treats through her cage. The problem has not been solved yet... Missy does still try to bite at her feet sometimes, but the amount of aggression has definitely decreased.

I have an umbrella as well and I am her one and only. She hates my husband if we are together and will flat out attack him. She does seem to be better if I'm not in the room and the door is shut. Could you try this perhaps? Stay close by so if it doesn't work you can go in and help your girlfriend out. I noticed that if he kept himself calm and didn't panic that he would be attacked it did also help.

be patient i think it s matter of time till the bird get used to her but must she act normally and lovely at the same time.
I have 4 years triton Cockatoo she is adorable and lovely with me but with all my family not especially kids. whenever one of them across by her cage either she inside it or or she acts like if she is going to attack him. unless if she is on my hand and sitting on floor she jumps and start walking towards the nearest one when they are away she backs to me.
one of my sister tries from the first time not to panic when she tries to touch her, my bird refuses at first time trying to scare my sis but my sister insists to do so after many attempts she allowed her and then she stepped up on her hand !! whereas one of my brother did so but he got bitten on hand.
I'm trying to letting her to be lovely with my family
also, some of my family don't like either to talk nor to touch when they across by her she just keep looking and doing nothing at all !!!!!
really confused
wish you get it as the way you like