We made it!

Hey, most of you may not remember me but I've been sporadically in and out of this forum for almost 2 years. Well, earlier this year I called it quits and attempted to rehome Teeko (It's a long story, a chain-reaction of lost trust on both sides) and that's the last you all had heard of me.

After getting very serious with an older couple about rehoming Teeko, I realized I just couldn't do it. After all, I had made a promise to the little guy, right?
Well, I don't know how but we made it through whatever it was we were going through. I just wanted to let you all know that. We trust eachother again (never letting my guard down again though, that's for sure) and are back to a good place in our relationship, and I feel like I'm a stronger and more experienced bird owner because of it.

I'm not sure how it ever got so out of hand- did it start when he bit me through the lip, or was that the result of something that had been brewing for a while? Was this all a hormonal reaction?
I was just reading on another forum that they get "mean" at 1 year and then 3 years of age. Interestingly, me and Teeko's falling out began when he had just turned 3. Has anyone else experienced this?


Also, does anyone have advice on getting an aggressive one-person bird to behave nicely around others? I'm not asking him to be friendly, just to stop 'puffing' and generally acting like an angry toddler. Naughty little thing, he is!

Welcome back, you have been missed!!! I am so thrilled with your update, and can't tell you how happy I am that you and Teeko worked through this together

I'm also happy to see you back and so happy you and Teeko worked things out!

Happy to see you back, and an A+++ and Gold Star to you for keeping Teeko!!

As for desensitizing him from aggressively warning others, that may be difficult. Whatever hurdles you crossed with Teeko led to a special bond, and other interlopers are probably seen as threatening. I personally haven't worked this problem, so hopefully others will have good advice!

What you likely experienced (and may still for a little longer) was that wonderful period of time when Parrots have to suffer with the rush /flush of hormones . Kind of like those wonderful teen years with Humans.

As they become Adults, this flush of hormones continues but is more limited to a specific time of year.

Welcome Back!

Roanoke said:

Hey, most of you may not remember me but I've been sporadically in and out of this forum for almost 2 years. Well, earlier this year I called it quits and attempted to rehome Teeko (It's a long story, a chain-reaction of lost trust on both sides) and that's the last you all had heard of me.

After getting very serious with an older couple about rehoming Teeko, I realized I just couldn't do it. After all, I had made a promise to the little guy, right?
Well, I don't know how but we made it through whatever it was we were going through. I just wanted to let you all know that. We trust eachother again (never letting my guard down again though, that's for sure) and are back to a good place in our relationship, and I feel like I'm a stronger and more experienced bird owner because of it.

I'm not sure how it ever got so out of hand- did it start when he bit me through the lip, or was that the result of something that had been brewing for a while? Was this all a hormonal reaction?
I was just reading on another forum that they get "mean" at 1 year and then 3 years of age. Interestingly, me and Teeko's falling out began when he had just turned 3. Has anyone else experienced this?


Also, does anyone have advice on getting an aggressive one-person bird to behave nicely around others? I'm not asking him to be friendly, just to stop 'puffing' and generally acting like an angry toddler. Naughty little thing, he is!

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As you are now 'starting' to pass beyond this period between being a Baby and an Adult it is not uncommon for the Parrot to become protective of its best friend. Relapses can happen and keeping an eye of your Parrot is a good idea.

This period is also a good time to be introducing your Parrot to other Humans. It also can be a bit dangerous, since until your Parrot is fully settled, a quick flush of Hormones is always possible. So, you need to be watching /learning your Parrot closely for signals (Body Language) as to its reaction to you and visitors. The more a tuned you are to what you Parrot is displaying the safer and happier everyone will be.

Introducing people best happens when the introduction is done from afar. I always tell visitors that it is just not a good idea to get up-close and personal with a Parrot you do not know. The same is true from the Parrot's standpoint. Until you are clear as to the signals that your Parrot is displaying, introductions start from afar, work closer slowly and with time.

I have never worked with your Parrot's species, so I cannot provide you with the signals that you need to look for, but they are there. Once you have homed in on them, use them to judge how close visitors are allowed. With time, you continue to work visitors closer. As visitors get within 10' (3 meters), I like to have the Parrot on a stand and myself in a position to see my Parrot and the visitor. At about 3' (1 meter), that's as close as a visit is allowed.

In this zone, you and the visitor need to work at getting the Parrot comfortable with the visitor being that close. This can take a few minutes to several days. If you have an individuals that talks with their hands and arms, its more like 6' (2 meters). Before getting any closer, have a long talk about waving hands and arms and getting bitten! Most get this quickly, those who do not are never allowed any closer.

The transfer. After the visitor has developed a presences and is accept being this close without the Parrot showing warning signs. It time to try a transfer. I never transfer a Parrot to a visitor's hand, Never! I always transfer to an extended covered lower arm. I also never transfer with the Parrot facing the visitor, always away and with the Parrot facing me. I want to be able to see any signals from the Parrot. If all is well, I bring the Parrot in slightly below to allow for a 'Step-Up' and state that request as I settle just about a half Parrot step below the top of the visitor's arm.

At the end of the day, this is part of the process called Socializing your Parrot. Any visitor that our Amazon does not signal against will have a Parrot on their arm. Its just one of the requirements of enter our Home. Socializing is just that important!

Lots of small things to learn and watch for. But you can do it. Remember, everything starts from afar.

I kid my wife a lot about her parrot but I really do know what it means to her. Sorry, what HE means to her. lol I know she almost gave him up the first couple years she had him but like you just couldn't do it. Congrats to you.

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome back, and SailBoat for the lengthy advice!
I don't know if you were around before I left the forum but Teeko has always been massively overbonded to me. He used to fly and attack my family, and thank God, we've put that to an end (Thanks to Birdman!) but he still gets pissy when they are within eye- or ear-shot. Not to the point of biting me, but very pissy indeed!
I'll try some of what you suggested for sure