Serious attack

Siobhan

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Apr 19, 2015
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Clyde, Quaker; Freddie, tiel; Rocky, umbrella cockatoo.
We've had Rocky six weeks. He's gentle and affectionate with me. But I work full time and that leaves him at home with my husband a lot. My hours are irregular and long, so I can't be with him on any kind of schedule. At first, he and my husband got along fine. He wasn't as snuggly with him, but they didn't have any issues. Then about a week or so ago, Rocky started getting aggressive with him. Today he attacked him and bit him very badly. My husband is now more than wary of him, he's downright scared of him. This leaves us with two choices.

One, Rocky has to be locked up when I'm not there, which makes him scream a lot, which is of course nerve-wracking for my husband and the dogs and not fair to Rocky. Even when I'm home, I can't devote the entirety of my attention to him. I have other birds. I have household chores to do. Some nights I don't get home from work until 8 or 10 p.m.

Two, find him a new home. I hate to uproot him again. He's had so many homes already. I love him and want to keep him, but he bit my husband badly enough that he thought he'd need stitches.

Any suggestions, anyone?
 

Jayyj

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Apr 28, 2013
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Sorry to hear that. It needs one of the more experienced forum members than I but I hope someone will have answers for you.
 

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.)
Sounds like hormonal behaviors.
 
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Siobhan

Siobhan

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Apr 19, 2015
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Clyde, Quaker; Freddie, tiel; Rocky, umbrella cockatoo.
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It does to me, too, but a hormonal Quaker parrot leaves a bruise and makes you bleed a bit, while a hormonal cockatoo could break a finger or worse.
 

Pinkbirdy

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Feb 26, 2013
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macaw,LS2,congo grey,2Blk Hd caiques,Hawkhead,yellowstrk lory,Blue frnt amazon,sun conure ,Yellow sided greencheek ,Goffin ,Rosebreasted Cockatoo,Greenwing Macaw,Blue and Gold Macaw,Nanday conure,Ecle
Male white Toos are hard ! Sounds like hes bonded to you already . Then your husband is the threat and in his mind he must go. Ive had 5 toos here and have seen this before. What I would do if he has to be out [is clip him]. This gives them a attitude adjustment . My Toos have come with problems and what really works is that schedule they can count on . Even if your husband has to be a part of it. Have him get a perch for him to step up on . So he can put him away if need be. Have him have set times out of the cage . Get him on a schedule as I said . Being out a lot can give him a big head. Your husband needs to be really positive with him [even if he doesn't want to ] . Make a big effort with talking to him .This can be done takes time.
 

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.)
Yep.

I agree 100% with the above. Large Toos need the most structured interaction of all of them.
 
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Siobhan

Siobhan

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Clyde, Quaker; Freddie, tiel; Rocky, umbrella cockatoo.
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He can't fly. He had a bad clip in his last home and then shredded his wing and tail feathers himself. He's terrified of things in the shape of sticks, even his treat sticks, so you can't demand he steps up on something like that. I suspect prior abuse. As I said, my schedule is anything but regular, so providing him with a routine is not possible beyond what we're doing now. Even though my husband doesn't work, he's responsible for his elderly dad and has to drive him to doctors and run errands for him, so his schedule isn't always regular, either.
 

Scott

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Aug 21, 2010
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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.
I'm really sorry to hear of this attack. Don't know much about Rocky's species (Umbrella?) but my Toos have been unusually hormonal and bitey lately.

Hope you can arrive at some sort of compromise that works and is safe for all!
 

Allee

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U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Valerie, I'm sorry Rocky bit your husband! U2's are wonderful, but they aren't easy. I agree with the others, it sounds like hormonal behavior. As Mark/Birdman said, Toos, more than most species, need structure and boundaries. Until you really get to know your bird's moods and body language, it isn't always easy to predict their intentions. They tend to get overstimulated, even when they are happy and having fun.

I hope Rocky settles down and things work out so you can keep him.
 

Dopey

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He can't fly. He had a bad clip in his last home and then shredded his wing and tail feathers himself. He's terrified of things in the shape of sticks, even his treat sticks, so you can't demand he steps up on something like that. I suspect prior abuse. As I said, my schedule is anything but regular, so providing him with a routine is not possible beyond what we're doing now. Even though my husband doesn't work, he's responsible for his elderly dad and has to drive him to doctors and run errands for him, so his schedule isn't always regular, either.
I have several birds who hate the stick. Protect your arms like Birdman has shown us. Put a towel around your arm. Ace bandage it to keep it in place and then put a long sleep shirt on. Might look dumb and you may be hot for a while but it's better than stitches and eventually you won't need it...but give it time.

Toos are wonderful so please don't give up. You can put him on a routine even if your schedule is anything but regular. Just make it routine from the time you step in the door or get up in the morning or go to bed in the evening. Every morning you still get up and every evening you go to bed. Routine it around the activity not necessarily the time. Even routine what you do when you approach the door of his cage. Keep it simple for you and your husband.

Don't be afraid to towel your birds. Several of my birds no longer panic when they see the towel.
 
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Siobhan

Siobhan

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Clyde, Quaker; Freddie, tiel; Rocky, umbrella cockatoo.
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This morning Rocky charged at my husband though he was just sitting in a chair. He hadn't done anything at all to provoke it. I distracted him and got him to step up, and Bill left the room, but then Rocky turned his aggression on me. He displayed and started to bite, and when I said "no," he didn't actually bite, but he kept displaying and threatening to. I finally got him into his cage and secured the door (he can open it otherwise), but he is VERY aggressive today. I don't think we have the experience or skill to cope with him.
 

Allee

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U2-Poppy(Poppy lives with her new mommy, Misty now) CAG-Jack, YNA, Bingo, Budgie-Piper, Cockatiel-Sweet Pea Quakers-Harry, Sammy, Wilson ***Zeke (quaker) Twinkle (budgie) forever in our hearts
Valerie, I'm sorry to hear this. I was hoping things would work out with you and Rocky. Hormones may be a factor in Rocky's behavior, but too much freedom can go to a Too's head pretty fast. Toos tend to get overstimulated more easily than other species. Poppy is not allowed on the floor or out of her designated area without supervision. She has plenty of toys to keep her occupied, so it isn't like punishment, it's more her safe zone.

Once Toos realize they can intimidate you, they won't easily forget. They are master manipulators and won't hesitate to use aggression to get what they want.

Someone told me it takes a year to get to know a Too, I can't argue with that.

I hope you are able to get past this and keep Rocky.
 

Pinkbirdy

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macaw,LS2,congo grey,2Blk Hd caiques,Hawkhead,yellowstrk lory,Blue frnt amazon,sun conure ,Yellow sided greencheek ,Goffin ,Rosebreasted Cockatoo,Greenwing Macaw,Blue and Gold Macaw,Nanday conure,Ecle
I agree with the year thing . My female LS2 who loved Dave took three years [then decided she loved me].
 
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Siobhan

Siobhan

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Clyde, Quaker; Freddie, tiel; Rocky, umbrella cockatoo.
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We're getting good advice from a woman who runs a parrot site devoted to helping people and parrots stay together. Hubby let Rocky out while I was at church this morning and Rocky stayed on his cage and behaved. And Rocky is fine with me. One of her pieces of advice was when he starts acting up, to laugh and stay relaxed and he'll settle down and I've been doing that. He looks at me with what I've come to think of as his "whatcha doin'" look and usually decides that getting his head petted is more important. He'll rear back and get this puzzled look and stare right in my face which, if he were a Quaker, would be prelude to a chomp, but in his case, it's just Rocky thinking things over.
 

Kar2fly

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Jun 16, 2015
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I can totally relate to your post. We are the owners of a rescued Cockatoo and I would never advise anyone to have one. The amount of time and attention that is required to keep one, baffles me as to why they are sold as pets.....there are not enough hours in the day for most people to entertain or come up with creations to entertain them....they belong in the wild, not caged and free. I would suggest a Sanctuary..... Visit Home page Cockatoo Rescue and Sanctuary and leave a message for help.....I don't mean to sound negative, but I volunteer at a bird Sanctuary and the amount of parrots that are there just breaks your heart. People just do not do their research beforehand....
 

EdwardH

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One thing not mentioned as yet is training him. Spend some time training him tricks or to play with toys. Then he can spend time alone in the cage occupying himself quite happily whilst you and/or you hubby are out. This will also lead to him enjoying your company more when you can be with him.
 

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