Behavior problems with GCC after returning from vacation

I let my 8 month old GCC stay with my mom and dad while I was away for a week. I have let them keep him before, but only for a few days. I picked him up yesterday and he has shown some aggression when I try to get him off my shoulder. I know a lot of people are against letting their bird on their shoulder, but he enjoys sitting their while I do housework or even while I put on my makeup lol. He has never shown any bad behavior before this, but now when I move my hand to my shoulder he tries to bite, tail feathers spread and all.

My parents watch my 4 year old nephew while she works everyday, and he loves Tango(birds name). I let him sit on his shoulder when I'm present, but I know my parents let him play with Tango out of my presence. Tango doesn't mind, but when he flies off, my nephew will follow him(and if you know 4 year old boys, they do nothing calmly). I'm thinking Tango's new behaviors result from his stay at my parents. What do you think?

My Scooter has definite issues when I go away for more than 2 nights. It's happened enough that I'm confident it is repeatable, and is definitely related to trips of some length. I have a sitter come in. His M.O. is to be nice to the sitter and then draw blood on me whenever I try to handle him for about a week. He becomes really quite aggressive. It always settles out again, and the best results I've had are since I finally stopped trying to "fix it" and just let him sulk until he was ready to be handled again.

I hate to anthropomorphize, but it really seems as if he gets POd at me for leaving.

If what's going on with your guy is similar, that's only the second case I've run across!

You may have to lure him off your shoulder using a treat or toy, at least until you can reestablish that coming down off your shoulder can be a good thing.

I've heard numerous stories of birds getting angry when left for a period of time by their owner. Sounds to me like for the most part it's an angry thing. More than anything he's just mad you left him! I'd be honoured cus deep down he loves you

D'awww I'm flattered.

He is glued to me, follows me everywhere. It's almost like he just doesn't want me to leave and he thinks as long as he is stuck to my shoulder I can't go anywhere.

brittish said:

D'awww I'm flattered.

He is glued to me, follows me everywhere. It's almost like he just doesn't want me to leave and he thinks as long as he is stuck to my shoulder I can't go anywhere.

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Yeah! I think that's the best explanation for what is going on

We left all of our pets, including our quaker, under the care of a really good pet sitter who stayed at our house for 17 days recently. The quaker was mad at us when we got home and she specifically nipped at my hand (didn't hurt) and made an angry sound when she did it. It was actually kind of funny because I could see that she was purposely doing this and squaking her displeasure at me. This lasted for about a week. Recently we left everyone again for 3 days and same thing happened. She has traveled with us and been fine. It is only when she is left behind that we get the angry sound and nip. I would say your bird is not pleased with your absence!

I agree with FA22raptero - I think he doesn't want you to leave.

you could get in front of a mirror while he is on shoulder and talk to him, let him seee you and him, look him in the eye in the mirror and slowly bring your hands up. Unless you are able to look him in the eye while he is on your shoulder, which I know isn't easy for lots of people to do because of neck position.

If you have to leave him with them or anyone again, have treats and praises and excitement in your voice when you get back and see him.

Have any of you tried leaving photos of yourselves near the birds cages? Or maybe leaving a voice clip/video of yourself? Maybe even tried calling in to "speak" with your bird while you are away?

I considered trying to set up a way to Skype them... but never actually did it. I have a hunch the smarter birds could learn to phone us if we set up a speed dial...

Team Veiwer.... lol

DebsFlock said:

I considered trying to set up a way to Skype them... but never actually did it. I have a hunch the smarter birds could learn to phone us if we set up a speed dial...

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I was looking for the "thumb" to like that! LOL!