Oliver is Hissing. Help?

drlisaort · Jun 4, 2013

Oliver is now 10 months old and seems to be going through some kind of weird thing with hissing at me. We've been bonded since his first green feather and he never ever hissed (unless eating which I've always respected his space) or resisted to step up. Now he hisses constantly. Is this hormonal? Now when he hisses I use a small branch to pick him up to avoid a bite or traumatizing either of us. The only change we've had in our house was our youngest, Benjamin, came home for the summer. He adores Benjamin. Benjamin can pet his beak or practically do anything with Oliver where I'm a bit beak weary, although I've never been bit. Anyway, I'm really stressing over this constant challenge from every transition--cage to play stand to basket to shower perch and on and on it goes. What do you think is going on? Oliver is only 10 months old, we have lots of life together and I want to nip this in the bud (no pun intended!) before I reinforce an awful behavior.

Peeker · Jun 4, 2013

No ideas here but I do feel sorry for you.

Does he lunge and try to bite when he does it?

*You really need to try and get over the beak fear. He could be picking up on that and most birds aren't beyond using it against you to gain the upper hand.

Maybe a friend has bird that could bite you? Once I was bitten by a macaw I found Eclectus beaks pretty tame lol! JK about getting yourself bit, but it did help me!

coltfire · Jun 4, 2013

to young for hormones, sound pretty much what my female does except she growls, its just a how far can i go, but if you fear his beak as peeker said he will pick up on that and use it to his advantage, has your son gone back to school, he may have bonded with him and is now missing him and taking it out on you , you really need to get over the beak otherwise he will have it over you and it will only get worse,dont be scared of it at worse he will draw blood but thats about it, he wont take your finger off.

mtdoramike · Jun 4, 2013

Wait until he starts growling at you every time you walk by his cage or put him down.

ann · Jun 4, 2013

At first I thought this said "Oliver is MISSING"! I was so worried! On the bright side, oliver is safe with you

. You mentioned you were afraid of his beak, do you pull away when the lunges/hisses or when you think you are going to get bit? If you do, you could be reinforcing this negative behavior. Its important to establish rules for him now, so as he matures, he stays a well rounded companion. Does Oliver lunge at your son or just you? A little more info can help us give you a better answer. Also, maybe a vet check is in order? I have heard of eclectus growling, but hissing seems less common. Maybe he is wheezing? Just a thought. to get used to his beak, feed him treats from your fingers and hands. Don't be afraid to let him gently nibble your finger. You have to trust to gain trust, input equals output. I hope it all works out and oliver is a real cutie pie!

drlisaort · Jun 5, 2013

mtdoramike said:
Wait until he starts growling at you every time you walk by his cage or put him down.

Already started doing that!

drlisaort · Jun 5, 2013

Thank you everyone for your responses! You are right...I just need a good bite to get past this stupid fear. He's a wonderful, wonderful bird and I'm the one with the neurotic issue. And yes, I am reinforcing this behavior for sure. I do pull away when he hisses which I guess is a growl - because it sort of sounds like a growl too. As for my son, he'll be here until September and Oliver is goo goo over him. He did growl at his girlfriend when she visited last weekend, but she's fearless. I definitely have some work to do...and I need your encouragement. It's funny Peeker because my son told me to go to the Bird House and let one of the big birds get me good and I'd be cured! Sheesh...

forbey · Jun 5, 2013

Skittles bit the snot out of me a couple of weeks ago ... I survived!

Whether it is screaming, hissing or lunging ... walk away, don't acknowledge it. Only respond when he behaves like you want him to. NEVER use negative feedback, it is a battle you don't want to start, and most likely won't win!

Best of luck!

Forbey

mtdoramike · Jun 5, 2013

drlisaort said:
Thank you everyone for your responses! You are right...I just need a good bite to get past this stupid fear. He's a wonderful, wonderful bird and I'm the one with the neurotic issue. And yes, I am reinforcing this behavior for sure. I do pull away when he hisses which I guess is a growl - because it sort of sounds like a growl too. As for my son, he'll be here until September and Oliver is goo goo over him. He did growl at his girlfriend when she visited last weekend, but she's fearless. I definitely have some work to do...and I need your encouragement. It's funny Peeker because my son told me to go to the Bird House and let one of the big birds get me good and I'd be cured! Sheesh...

No, you are never cured of a good bite. Eclectus can break bones with their beaks. I feed mine chicken legs with the bones and he will shread the bones. Mac has only really nailed me good probably twice and that was on the same ear when he was on my shoulder. His beak punctured my ear to the point I could have hung earings in my ear. Fortunately, he didn't remove a chunk from my ear. Both times, he growled while he was biting my ear. So if he growls, it's usually showing you displeasure over something that either you are doing, or something in his environment that has him upset. The first time Mac bit my ear, I was taking him off of my wifes shoulder because he was trying to hump her hand. The second time, I was walking by my wife and brushed passed her.

drlisaort · Jun 5, 2013

Oh gosh mtdoramike your story is not helping!!!! Ouch! ;o) So, now I'm getting mixed messages from the board. Do I walk away and respect his mood or do I put my hand out and encourage him to step up? I was either walking away or getting a stick for him to step up. Today he was a good boy, no "hissing" or "growling" whichever the word is...

drlisaort · Jun 5, 2013

Oh gosh mtdoramike your story is not helping!!!! Ouch! ;o) So, now I'm getting mixed messages from the board. Do I walk away and respect his mood or do I put my hand out and encourage him to step up? I was either walking away or getting a stick for him to step up. Today he was a good boy, no "hissing" or "growling" whichever the word is...

Peeker · Jun 5, 2013

drlisaort said:
Thank you everyone for your responses! You are right...I just need a good bite to get past this stupid fear. He's a wonderful, wonderful bird and I'm the one with the neurotic issue. And yes, I am reinforcing this behavior for sure. I do pull away when he hisses which I guess is a growl - because it sort of sounds like a growl too. As for my son, he'll be here until September and Oliver is goo goo over him. He did growl at his girlfriend when she visited last weekend, but she's fearless. I definitely have some work to do...and I need your encouragement. It's funny Peeker because my son told me to go to the Bird House and let one of the big birds get me good and I'd be cured! Sheesh...

The fear of the bite is much worse than the bite itself.

lpolliard · Jun 5, 2013

I think male Ekkies have a weaker bite than most parrots of similar size. Maybe its the size of their upper mandible. In order for them to bite down they have to move the lower mandible forward which probably is less mechanically inclined to generate greater forces. I would be more afraid of an Amazon or Cockatoo beak.

Peeker · Jun 5, 2013

My worst bite was from a Cockateil. Their beaks are sharp and the little monkey was grinding back and forth when he did it. My Ekkies beaks seem to have less sharpness to the edges probably due to the fact they eat an easier diet to bite into. My Eclectus cannot crack open the harder nuts like a macaw can.

lpolliard · Jun 5, 2013

Peeker said:
... My Eclectus cannot crack open the harder nuts like a macaw can.

Exactly! Same here...

moni.k · Jun 5, 2013

I have the same problem with growling, hissing and lunging. The key is to NOT show fear. I don't pull away, instead I advance forward with my hand and gently rub her beak. Of course avoiding the inside of her mouth takes a bit of maneuvering, but I don't give force nor make sudden movements. I talk calmly to her and sort of "massage" the side if her beak. When she calms down (a few seconds later) I pull away and give her space. It teaches her that growls and lunges don't work, but I understand she wants space and when she calms down, I'll leave her be. I have yet to have my skin broken by Nalani's bite. She has left bite indentations and I know very well what she's capable of. But if you just focus on the "pain" you haven't experienced, you won't advance forward with building trust. Remember, trust goes both ways. So in order to gain trust you have to give it first.

drlisaort · Jun 6, 2013

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I love you guys!!!! I am going to practice this weekend touching and rubbing Oliver's beak. I MUST get past this because he is the sweetest guy and I'm creating something that could turn into a bad, bad situation. So, do I reach from the top towards his beak or sort of slip my fingers from the back of his head to the top and slide down to the beak, or do I take a straight shot to the beak? I know my questions are silly but I don't want to dangle my fingers in the wrong place creating temptations for him to chomp down...

sodakat · Jun 6, 2013

Not from the back. Try touching the side of his beak. Maybe use two fingers held together instead of one pointing at him.

I do get bit. I'd be lying to say otherwise. But I normally can avoid the bite by watching the bird. Many of my bites happen because of the dynamics between my birds more than because they really want to bite me. Similar to what Mike described when he was taking his bird off his wife. If they are focused on something and you interrupt you may get bit. Or if they want you to hurry up and put that food dish in rather than stand and talk to them, you may get bit.

I've been bit across the bridge of the nose and through the upper lip. Been bit on forearm and on back of upper arm when reaching. On back of hand and on fingers of course.

I do not believe in "taking" the bite. I hurts darn it. I yell. I don't go crazy but I do let the bird know it hurt. They let each other know if they hurt one another.

Growling doesn't always mean a bite is coming however. Sometimes they growl to show displeasure but don't have any intention of biting.

lpolliard · Jun 6, 2013

I would hold your index finger curved in the shape of a beak with your thumb supporting it. I think this would make it more difficult for him to grab a hold without turning his head sideways. I would approach from the front, off to right if using your right hand and rub the side of your finger against the side of his beak. This way he can turn away if he feels uncomfortable.

Definitely do not come from behind or from the top. That will just put him on the defensive.

PicklesParrot · Jun 6, 2013

moni.k said:
I have the same problem with growling, hissing and lunging. The key is to NOT show fear. I don't pull away, instead I advance forward with my hand and gently rub her beak. Of course avoiding the inside of her mouth takes a bit of maneuvering, but I don't give force nor make sudden movements. I talk calmly to her and sort of "massage" the side if her beak. When she calms down (a few seconds later) I pull away and give her space. It teaches her that growls and lunges don't work, but I understand she wants space and when she calms down, I'll leave her be. I have yet to have my skin broken by Nalani's bite. She has left bite indentations and I know very well what she's capable of. But if you just focus on the "pain" you haven't experienced, you won't advance forward with building trust. Remember, trust goes both ways. So in order to gain trust you have to give it first.

I do the same thing with Pickles. He has his little aggressive moods/fits but I'll hold on gently to his top beak and stroke the sides a little and he turns right back into my sweety bird.

Oliver is Hissing. Help?

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