Sign of Aggression

Lucky is bringing his body down low and raising his wings up and down sometimes when I am near him. Is this a sign of aggresion? He doesn't make any noise while doing it.

Well, right after this post, I went over and asked him to step up, and he did! first time since I brought him home a couple days ago.

We walked around a little bit and I grabbed an almond before I put him in his cage. I put him back in, offered the almond and he bluff-bit me/almond and I dropped it. Oh well, I'll work on that next time

Havn't had my parrot yet but I have had a couple aggressive birds (chickens, ducks) and with that experience I know a bird will fluff its feathers (make it self look bigger) lower its head and position its wings above its body when they are feeling threatened/or just not in the mood. Now chickens.ducks have diffrent defences than a parrots. For exsample a roster has hooks on the back of there legs and if they have enough room to do so they will position there leg in such a manor that the hook can do some damage. Ducks/geese well they just chase and bite you (kind of funny really) doesn't hurt but can leave a nasty mark. But they all started out in the postion stated above.
Although like I said the whole parrot thing would be knew to me.
He could be just trying to tell you he doen't want to play/comfortable with you being there at that moment.

hope this helped a little.

My macaw does the same thing when it's dark and he can't see that well around him. I think that if he can't see what's coming toward him, he will raise his wings to try and scare off the potential threat. Once I turn on the lights, he will back down and he's fine.

ordenrahl said:

Well, right after this post, I went over and asked him to step up, and he did! first time since I brought him home a couple days ago.

We walked around a little bit and I grabbed an almond before I put him in his cage. I put him back in, offered the almond and he bluff-bit me/almond and I dropped it. Oh well, I'll work on that next time

Click to expand...

He's trying to see if he can train you. Next time try to keep hand there, that will then just show him that YOU are the flock leader and not him. Also be prepared to get a few little bites, most times they won't bite hard it will be more of an accident than anything else. Unfortunately they don't hurt any less. Keep plasters (Band aids) close by.

Peta said:

Next time try to keep hand there, that will then just show him that YOU are the flock leader and not him. Also be prepared to get a few little bites, most times they won't bite hard it will be more of an accident than anything else.

Click to expand...

I hope that doesn't take long to establish, so far he has been very gentle and hasn't actually bit me in a way that hurt. I was just suprised because that was the first time he actually lunged with intent. My girlfriend is a bit frightened of birds but is excited about lucky. She'll talk to him through the cage and sometimes feeds him. I'm going to try my best not to put her in a situation where she has the oportunity to get bit but who knows.

I also have been very carefull about pushing Lucky too far, as I don't want him to start biting to the point that causes pain/blood. At the moment if he gets beaky I back off and try later.

Am I right in thinking to give him his space? When should I start being a bit more pushy?

Am I right in thinking to give him his space? When should I start being a bit more pushy?

Click to expand...

As far as the lunging/fake biting, don't give him the time to think that he rules the roost. If he should try, to fake/bite then try to hold your ground. These birds are so darn smart that as soon as you withdraw your hand they see it as a victory and will continue. Then you have problems. Hold your ground with this and any other unacceptable behaviour that he shows, and believe me he is gonna try his luck.

My daughter used to duck when Bucc flew towards her head, it then became a game to him and he would do it everytime she was in the same room as him. Once she started to hold her ground and give him a stern NO he soon got the message and doesn't do it anymore. As I said before they are sooooooooo darn smart.

Lucky doesn't yet know the rules of your household but if you are strong and consistent he soon will do. As for all the other things, yes you can give him some space, but this must be your decision and not his. Good Luck, and let us know how you get on.

If you give parrots a rope they think they are cowboys.In other words establish dominence as soon as posible.The bites hurt but letting your parrot think he's boss it will hurt more in the long run. hope that makes sence.

Makes perfect sense Bill, and its so very true.

Dobby gets very agro sometimes. Hen lorikeets go crazy during the breeding season. You just have to ignore the bad completely and praise the good very loud and vocally. All parrots are drama queens.