Growling Ringneck

Hi
I have around 3-4 months old green ring neck which I have got recently. I am trying to tame and train him. Sometimes he is very playful. Jumps over my shoulder. Step up and take treat from my hand but usually growling while doing it. If I try to engage him 10 times a day, he start growling around 9 of the times. Step backwards.
I try to move my hand slowly near him. Sometimes he let me rub his head and chest but most of the time he growls.
He is kinda okay if I keep my hand near him but if someone else try to put their hand near him he growls loudly or attack.
Please let me know how to handle this situation.

1. Parrots have zero natural reason to trust a Human. It is the Human's responsibility to provide that reason trust you, every time you interact with your Parrot.
2. Move at the rate your Parrot is comfortable. Hmmm, it seems that 9 is far enough currently.
3. Change your Vantage Point!
-- It is never the fault of the Parrot!
-- It is always the fault of the Human!
-- By changing your Vantage Point, your will see what you are doing wrong and change it sooner. Your Parrot is letting you know you're pushing too far...

I did a lot of searching and found out that there is a phase called “Bluffing” after weaning and the symptoms are 100% accurate. It’s written everywhere that it will pass in weeks or months. The things which I am unable to find and I am curious to know are:

- If the bird is growling should I move slowly near him and pat him or stay at a distance where he is comfortable?
- Should I provide him things to play with or should I convince him to play with me with step up and treats etc.
- Should I continue to train him for step up. Although he is not listening to the command anymore. I put a seed in one hand and show him, put other hand below so he steps for a treat only while growling.
- Should I try to convince him comfortably to sit or sleep on my lap while I pat him. (He used to do that and like it but now a days he is not staying) or should I give him some space.

Thanks

Pet your parrot a bit less and enjoy more being with you time and build from there.

Parrots are neither a cat or dog, petting means far less to a Parrot.

If he’s accepting it the first 8 or 9 times stop pushing him; he’s tired. Let him rest. That’s not bluffing, it’s boundaries. Your bird is letting you know he’s not interested in interacting right now.


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Dani - since I have your attention, question I've always had: can you expound on bluffing? Is the name accurate, or are these actual bites? What does it actually look like vs other similar phases (hormonal aggression, etc)?

chris-md said:

Dani - since I have your attention, question I've always had: can you expound on bluffing? Is the name accurate, or are these actual bites? What does it actually look like vs other similar phases (hormonal aggression, etc)?

Click to expand...

I honestly detest the way bluffing is portrayed by most online sources and even breeders who haven’t bothered to get to know the species.

Let me ask you this; if I hold my fist up to punch someone, and then I ACTUALLY PUNCH THEM, was I bluffing? Nope. Young Ringnecks do bluff. But USUALLY the actual BITING gets labeled as bluffing when it isn’t. Biting is in Ringnecks what it is in every other species; a form of communication. In a well raised, well socialized bird it is a LAST RESORT. In a poorly raised, force weaned, early clipped, poorly socialized bird, it is often the first reaction because the person who raised it never gave it the tools to navigate fear, uncertainty, etc.

Also I have NEVER received a hormonal bite from a pet ringneck. Sure, when a pair is nesting they try to bite, but none of my pet IRNs have ever bitten me due to hormones. I believe this is largely because I am very careful not to allow them to see me as my mate. I honestly consider it cruel to sexually frustrate a bird by letting it mate bond to you.


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