GCC suddenly attacked.

Hi all,

I have a green cheek conure who I've had for 5.5 years now. We've had a couple of ups and downs but on the whole, he's my companion and I'd do anything for him.

The issue I have is with my fiancé and my GCC. My GCC is infatuated with him and will constantly fly to him. Yesterday my GCC flew to him (he walked in the room) and attacked his ear, drawing blood. Fiancé got angry and said he wants nothing more to do with him now as he cannot be trusted.

Does anyone know why my GCC would fly and suddenly attack like he did? I'm now having to spend time alone in another room so GCC gets some time out of his cage. I've been in tears about this and I don't know what to do for the best.

Hormones possibly?

Having same issue with my ~2.5 y.o. GCC (presume fem) Mochi. Hormones, puberty - she's been deliberately biting me, in particular (whom she initially liked) for the better part of a year now.

On top of that, she's been attacking her (former) cage-mate Mango, a larger gold-capped (presume male, 6 months her junior).

Only thing for it is separation time, so she equates biting = being returned to cage/being lonely/punishment. You can't "peck them back" to establish a pecking order, so this is the next method to try. Getting bitten yourself in the process of returning them (immediately, quickly, and harshly) to their cage is inevitable, but necessary - if you draw out the return or do it too gently, you're not establishing a correlation between a negative behavior and an undesirable (for your GCC) consequence. This what is needed to socialize them properly.

Sorry to hear of this, definitely a conflict for you.

How long has your fiance been in the picture? Might be a situation of hormones and/or jealousy/dominance?

This is what I’m worried will happen with Kermit, who is still a baby. From what I’ve read, GCCs are extremely aggressive when hormonal.

Scott said:

Sorry to hear of this, definitely a conflict for you.

How long has your fiance been in the picture? Might be a situation of hormones and/or jealousy/dominance?

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Been with my fiancé for 4 years, living together for a few months now. GCC had met him before we moved in together and they got on fine.

I'm hoping it's hormonal and that it'll pass. I understand if it it hormonal I've just got to ride it out then see if fiancé is willing to test the waters again. Is there anything else I can do in the meantime?

Return GCC to cage immediately after a biting attempt, firmly saying "no bite".

Keep GCC under your hand when fiance present with you. Try, really, really hard not to let GCC near him to bite. Don't let him scrabble or dart or jump towards him, distract GCC with toys, or just keep him inside.

You really don't want more bites creating ill-will between all three of you.

Same exact situation (I'm the guy getting gitten, GCC suddenly super defensive of gf).

After some observable progress, you can see if your SO can feed the GCC a treat, and praise for taking it (without biting, through cage bars).

Trinny said:

The issue I have is with my fiancé and my GCC. My GCC is infatuated with him and will constantly fly to him. Yesterday my GCC flew to him (he walked in the room) and attacked his ear, drawing blood. Fiancé got angry and said he wants nothing more to do with him now as he cannot be trusted.

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Tell your fiancée to Man the F up. A bird bit you, get over it. Your bird might have issues....easily resolved by the way....I'm more concerned about your fiancée and his reaction. Birds do things, crazy things, like they are humans freebasing crack cocaine. If he can't handle one incident, your bird MIGHT just be telling you something.

I know this sounds REALLY BAD, Like I'm a total asshole!, (btw I AM) but I'm only going off what you posted. If he is "done with the bird, nothing to do with him now!" over one incident like this, I don't feel like I'm the bad guy pointing out a character flaw(in your guy). What happens when you accidentally do something.....

Just friendly advice...call me an idiot that knows nothing or whatever, this is just my opinion.

figuring out the why is the main course of action, once there you can figure out how to avoid in the future. For now I would keep your GC in the cage when your SO enters the place, have him go over to the bird first and offer a treat, as for yourself stop giving the favorite treats. It'll take time but to win trust but that's it.

Though in as polite a way I think he is being a bit over-dramatic, a little 9 inch long conure isn't going to damage him any more than a sliver of broken glass. Unfortunately he is going to have to come to the understanding that yes that little feather ball may bite at some point. Forgive and forget is the simple solution to it all

Trinny said:

Hi all,

I have a green cheek conure who I've had for 5.5 years now. We've had a couple of ups and downs but on the whole, he's my companion and I'd do anything for him.

The issue I have is with my fiancé and my GCC. My GCC is infatuated with him and will constantly fly to him. Yesterday my GCC flew to him (he walked in the room) and attacked his ear, drawing blood. Fiancé got angry and said he wants nothing more to do with him now as he cannot be trusted.

Does anyone know why my GCC would fly and suddenly attack like he did? I'm now having to spend time alone in another room so GCC gets some time out of his cage. I've been in tears about this and I don't know what to do for the best.

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This is EXACTLY how Kyo is with my husband. We finally figured out (after about 3 years of struggle) that she adores him, but he's always trying to play on his phone, or computer around her. What she wants is his full 100% attention. Once he gives her some love and she's had enough, she's back to me, or another person.

That said, it took a lot of work to get her to stop attacking him. What we found was helpful was taking her with us to my parents place to meet and socialize with other people. It has really made a huge difference having her used to multiple people!

Only downside - My mom fell in love with her and well... she lives there 50% of the time now haha. But she is a very happy little birdie! My mom even had to try to out-do me and found the biggest cage with the most toys she could XD it's actually pretty funny. But boy, does she ever get excited the moment "Mommy and daddy" walk through the door still. They really do love fiercely, it's so amazing.

Good luck with your little dragon.

Kyoto said:

Good luck with your little dragon.

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Hmm..I have a new appropriate moniker for my moch-moch....