So she thinks I am her boyfriend...

gnatnlucy

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Dec 10, 2014
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Lucy the Umbrella Cockatoo
I am new here but my reason for joining was due to this issue. Lucy my 6 year old Umbrella thinks I am hers and only HERS. She adores me ADORES me... to the point that no matter what I do she lifts her tail, quivers, does the uncomfortable heavy breathing and has even regurged for me (the truest sign of devotion) I know we aren't supposed to be cuddly and physical with toos because it can cause frustration. So I tried for about a month only petting her crest, not spending too much physical time with her, attempting to divert her into playing games or tricks and she was miserable. She screamed all the time... she tried to bite anything that walked by her cage or perch she was just unruly... so I caved... i pet her under her wings one night and the next day she was silent... sat on her perch with her happy feathers up and relaxed all day until my friend came over and Lucy launched herself at my friends face... fortunately I was fast and got in the way sparing my friends ear from no longer being attached . I put her in a time out and ignored her screaming as my friend visited with me. Now I can't allow anyone near me when Lucy is around. She tries to attack them. I can do anything in the world to her. Clip her nails, wings hold her like a baby put her in a blanket pick her up anything I want to do and she is a dream. My best friend walks in the door and she goes into being a screaming crazy mess! I know why she does this. I am her mate and she is defending her mate (or i think that is what it is) how can I curb this behavior? I have tried holding her while my friend is here ... just to show her that it's ok... i have ignored her, I have tried to get her to like my friends ... even if i cover her cage... she hears someone talking to me and freaks out. Suggestions?? Thanks!
 

4dugnlee

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Oh this is a tough situation...but from what I've read it is classic for a U2. I don't know exactly how to undo the over bonding, other than to try to ween her from all your affection and redirect her to something else to keep her occupied. I am a new U2 parront and can't really offer much help, but hopefully some veteran parronts will see this and chime in soon. Good luck!
 

Birdman666

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Sep 18, 2013
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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Overbonding issue.

U2's can turn into psychotic lovers... "I have a feathered stalker!" :11:

Generally speaking they need to get out and get handled by more people.

This may need to happen away from you, because displacement biting is very real with these guys. (Playing just fine, until "my person" walks in... then nip or bite because "my person" is back, and that's not you...)
 
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gnatnlucy

gnatnlucy

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Lucy the Umbrella Cockatoo
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Omg she is my stalker to the point that she will get down off of her perch and follow me... To the bathroom, kitchen whatever. I travel a bit for my business and when I am gone my friend cares for her and she is fine when I'm not here... No screaming or freaking out. I try not to hold or cuddle her a lot. I attempt to get new people in her life she will have none of that. My only concern is the leaping attack. I don't mind her trying to feed me or the "sexy breathing" though when she gives me kisses and does it... Its a bit odd. She has not ever been aggressive to me but if anyone is near me... She gets pissed! I adore her so regardless of the obsessive nature she is mine til one of us dies. I keep the kids away from her and the man I will keep trying diversions... I kinda love my bird stalker though lol
 

Birdman666

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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Omg she is my stalker to the point that she will get down off of her perch and follow me... To the bathroom, kitchen whatever. I travel a bit for my business and when I am gone my friend cares for her and she is fine when I'm not here... No screaming or freaking out. I try not to hold or cuddle her a lot. I attempt to get new people in her life she will have none of that. My only concern is the leaping attack. I don't mind her trying to feed me or the "sexy breathing" though when she gives me kisses and does it... Its a bit odd. She has not ever been aggressive to me but if anyone is near me... She gets pissed! I adore her so regardless of the obsessive nature she is mine til one of us dies. I keep the kids away from her and the man I will keep trying diversions... I kinda love my bird stalker though lol

Well, that's really it right there. It's anyone getting near you that gets "driven off."

New people are usually fine when you aren't around. But if you ARE around. Not gonna happen.

Here is a useful behavior mod for this one: (Because, obviously, this almost never happens, right?! Almost unheard of!)

Take the bird to a training perch in another room.
Leave the room.

Disfavored person comes in. Does step up and touching exercises, and if the bird allows it, plays the bird's favorite game. Rewards with treats.

Disfavored person leaves the room.
You come get the bird and put the bird back.

Then start adding different people in the mix.
Until 3-4 people in a row work with the bird before you come and put him back.

Then, when he's used to that, try a game of "pass the birdie" and see if he'll do it with those people, and you in the room without biting.

Ten minutes a day. 3-8 weeks usually improves the behavior.

Won't eliminate it. Will improve it.

Also same deal. Out and about. Take the bird to the park. Get him used to strangers.
 

punkindave

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Birdman666

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Presently have six Greenwing Macaw (17 yo), Red Fronted Macaw (12 yo), Red Lored Amazon (17 y.o.), Lilac Crowned Amazon (about 43 y.o.) and a Congo African Grey (11 y.o.)
Panama Amazon (1 Y.O.)
Yeah. That's the idea.

Once the bird eats his fill of strangers, he'll be too full to eat any more family members, and lose interest...
 
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gnatnlucy

gnatnlucy

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Lucy the Umbrella Cockatoo
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Lol what is funny is she has days like today where she wants to sit idle and be quiet not require any attention then she has days where she is Velcro! I changed her perch today to make it a bit more difficult to just climb down and walk with me all over the house and will definitely start working in strangers and I have thought of taking her out and about with me possibly I should get a bird harness but I am leery of things like that so I have to research them a bit. She isn't allowed on my shoulder so I want to get a basket for me to carry as her portable perch. She will pretty much let me do anything so... Def start working with her and the household members...unfortunately all but oneone person are terrified of her. Also you mentioned favorite games...I am not sure she ever played games before me. I try to get her to play and be silly but so far she only will sing with me and occasionally we get loud about running from imaginary Godzilla lol we are still figuring things out as I have had her about 4 months I believe.
 
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gnatnlucy

gnatnlucy

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Lucy the Umbrella Cockatoo
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Mine used to dance with me.

I have tried to get her to dance and be silly but she is too cool for all that lollol. Question for anyone who knows but what is this weird stretching thing she does? Its one leg one wing stretched behind her and she only does it when she is unsure about something... Its adorable but I was wondering if anyone else has noticed it.
 

Scott

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RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Mine used to dance with me.

I have tried to get her to dance and be silly but she is too cool for all that lollol. Question for anyone who knows but what is this weird stretching thing she does? Its one leg one wing stretched behind her and she only does it when she is unsure about something... Its adorable but I was wondering if anyone else has noticed it.

Seems you are experiencing some typical Umbrella behaviors and have accurately diagnosed the situation. I live with 3 species of Cockatoo but have never handled an Umbrella, so have nothing significant to add.

I hope you are able to either better socialize Lucy or compartmentalize her worst behaviors to avoid rehoming her; shelters and sanctuaries are full of hapless parrots that exceed their owners ability to adapt.

Haven't noticed the wing/leg combination you describe, but asymmetrical wing-stretching is often a sign of contentment.
 

4dugnlee

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Sassy - 13 y.o. Blue Front Amazon, Cisco - 6 y.o. Sun Conure, Peanut - 8 y.o. U2
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My U2 does the one leg/one wing stretch but not so much when she is unsure of something. She just does it at random times, usually when she is resting.
 
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gnatnlucy

gnatnlucy

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Lucy the Umbrella Cockatoo
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She will not be rehome regardless of any behavior issues she exhibits. Each animal is an individual and should be allowed to be themselves just like people. If she never likes anyone but me that is ok but if I can correct that behavior then we can all be happier living here. I love her she is the best! I think she is more devoted than my husfriend! Lol
 

Hawk

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Mine used to dance with me.

I have tried to get her to dance and be silly but she is too cool for all that lollol. Question for anyone who knows but what is this weird stretching thing she does? Its one leg one wing stretched behind her and she only does it when she is unsure about something... Its adorable but I was wondering if anyone else has noticed it.

All parrots and birds tend to do that one leg one wing stretch, quite normal. You would stretch too getting up from sitting or bed. For a parrot it is just the norm to stretch, refreshes them.

As for the Love affair with the Cockatoo, ha ha ha, get use to it, they are cuddle bunnies. My sister has 2 of them. And yeah, they can pack a whollop of a bite when strangers are around or hear you. They want you all for them selves. My birds (Grey and Senegal) dose the drop wing fluttering and offering me some of their burped up food. My Amazon, is a cuddly one as well, but as far as it's concerned, I don't get any burped up chow. Enjoy!:grey::rainbow1::green::32:
 

Jayyj

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Have you tried doing any training exercises with her? I was never interested in having a bird that could do tricks, but I think it's good for them to be challenged a little, and if you could get a few tricks down with a clicker it would exercise that big cockatoo brain and give you a platform from which to start following Birdman666's suggested strategy.
 
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gnatnlucy

gnatnlucy

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Lucy the Umbrella Cockatoo
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Have you tried doing any training exercises with her? I was never interested in having a bird that could do tricks, but I think it's good for them to be challenged a little, and if you could get a few tricks down with a clicker it would exercise that big cockatoo brain and give you a platform from which to start following Birdman666's suggested strategy.

I have not tried much in the way of training specifically for a trick ... I try to get her to be silly and play. I provide her with lots of toys as well as foraging opportunities. She seems content to just sit as she is doing right now with her adorable beaky feathers up on her brand new perch. I am not sure of what has been done with her in the past. She says Hi... sometimes for attention and sometimes I think its a coping mechanism... she gets uncomfortable about something and then she repeats this pitiful hi. She doesn't seem interested in learning anything from me except the wolf whistle... she is attempting to do it when i do it and praise seems to work as a great reinforcement as opposed to food treats. I would like to teach her some simple behaviors... whistles or to dance... anything that I could use to divert her mind into an acceptable behavior. I think if I can get her interested in doing anything that when she goes into what I call "GET YOUR HANDS OFF MY SPECIAL LADY!" mode possible I can call for a behavior and divert her into something else. I also feel that if i can train her to do some basic behaviors that I could utilize that in helping her bond with the rest of the "flock" by leaving the room and having family members call for the behavior and then treat her when she does it. I am still learning about birds... reptiles are easy you feed them, water them, mess with them somewhat regularly and they live... they don't need much in the way of mental stimulation. Opossums... they don't need much either. Lucy... I spend a ton of time making toys and foraging items, talking to her , loving on her, being uncomfortable because she is treating me like her boyfriend lol I wouldn't consider her a "rescue" per se but she has a past and in that past I think she was taught not to be a cockatoo... not to be silly or loud I am not really sure how to encourage those behaviors (not that I want her to be loud all the time but... she should at some point be loud) She doesn't even roost call at night... it's strange she is a strange bird lol. Maybe that is why I enjoy her so much. She is a challenge. :white1:
 
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gnatnlucy

gnatnlucy

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Lucy the Umbrella Cockatoo
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My U2 does the one leg/one wing stretch but not so much when she is unsure of something. She just does it at random times, usually when she is resting.

She has only dont the stretch when she first arrived here and yesterday when she was on her new perch. Otherwise she sits still and takes it all in she also does her pew pew when she gets uncomfortable or annoyed . I will have to share the video I got of her doing it when we first got her...
 

Scott

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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
She will not be rehome regardless of any behavior issues she exhibits. Each animal is an individual and should be allowed to be themselves just like people. If she never likes anyone but me that is ok but if I can correct that behavior then we can all be happier living here. I love her she is the best! I think she is more devoted than my husfriend! Lol

Awesome! The world of pet-avians needs more people as committed as you!
 
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gnatnlucy

gnatnlucy

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Lucy the Umbrella Cockatoo
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She may dislike everyone else but she loves me and that is important. I have worked hard to gain her trust so she is my buddy til the end. probably mine before hers lol.
 

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