How NOT to touch during hormonal bouts

I knew it. And I was stupid! Niko's been QUITE hormonal for the past week. Today I actually saw him getting... ahem... 'intimate' with a toy on the Java trees. You all should have seen my face. I was dumb enough to ask him out loud if he was 'sitting on the toy'.

That was this morning.

The big macs are out again, and all I've been hearing his Niko and his bell on the rope swing. So I went over there to 'pet' him. Obviously I should NOT have touched him THAT way right then and there....

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeOODkeWcOY"]Hormonal Niko WRONG touch - YouTube[/ame]

Nope, he did not want to be interrupted while he was 'feeding' the bell, and boy, I felt it.

As you can see/hear, I didn't stay 'quiet' when he chomped down on me. And here's our conversation right afterwards.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3Ov6oiv_p4"]Having a serious conversation with hormonal Niko - YouTube[/ame]

I don't think he cared too much, but I HAD to pick him up and be on 'good' terms.

Not much damage was done, luckily!!!

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soE4ozNTjYs"]Very hormonal Niko 1 - YouTube[/ame]

Could have easily been worse. And I love him NO less!!! :heart: Sure as hell taught me an important lesson though. :52:

Never got that one from a Macaw.

Got that one PLENTY OF TIMES FROM A ZON...

Right now my Red Lored is the one in full blown can't control herself hormonal mode...

Well, I'm NOT gonna voluntarily show ya'll my fingers at the moment. Sam (my DYH) just turned 4. He's determined that Hunter is ALL his. Today they both had a bath. I made the mistake and took Hunter out first before trying to get Sam out. He got out all right - while firmly attached to my right index finger. And they slice and dice when they have a wild hair (hormone) up their butt.

I'm just glad it's only 'seasonal' with them. <-- yup, I'm still smiling. I love 'em. For better or worse. And when I make a mistake, I have to learn. Still....I should have known better than to stroke his back like that.

Ouch Wendy that looks sore ...I love the video of your conversation after the event Niko is Adorable. Great videos but the conersation is my fabourite Niki wont bite mommy again

Jeez Louise Wendy! Ouch!!

I have to say, there is actually some real educational value to these videos. Thank you for posting . Hope you're not TOO sore

chris-md said:

Jeez Louise Wendy! Ouch!!

I have to say, there is actually some real educational value to these videos. Thank you for posting . Hope you're not TOO sore

Click to expand...

Thanks, Chris!! That was the purpose of my post, actually. Educational - any way possible. You see, this is my first rodeo with a big mac feeling 'his oats'. No, it's no fun, but we'll get through it.

With Ripley quickly approaching sexual maturity, too, it's even LESS fun. And downright SCARY at times.

Males CANNOT be compared to females, that much is certain (and obvious). :32:

Nooooo Niko! Oh Wendy, I'm really sorry that happened! And no, My Friend, I am not laughing! Nothing funny about it! You made a mistake and paid for it. I think it's an excellent lesson for us all. We get so comfortable around our birds we forget to pause for a second and think, how will the bird perceive this. The wrong moment, the wrong move, it happens fast and no one is immune.

So sorry about your arm and your finger!

OUCH Wendy I have had BB hit me once like that. So far I have been so so lucky with him. Those Dent bites hurt like hell.

Allee said:

Nooooo Niko! Oh Wendy, I'm really sorry that happened! And no, My Friend, I am not laughing! Nothing funny about it! You made a mistake and paid for it. I think it's an excellent lesson for us all. We get so comfortable around our birds we forget to pause for a second and think, how will the bird perceive this. The wrong moment, the wrong move, it happens fast and no one is immune.

So sorry about your arm and your finger!

Click to expand...

Well said Allee

I'll say this: I'm lucky Niko loves me back. That may sound really dumb after having his beak imprint firmly implanted onto my lower arm, but I KNOW what that beak is capable of. :54:

None of my birds have a mean bone in their body. They are all acting / reacting instinctual.

I KNOW Niko must be confused with what his body is going through at the moment. He's not himself. He wants to be - but it's like there's this internal fight inside him. I HAVE to be careful. It's that simple. I HAVE to remember where I can and cannot touch. Most of all I have to remember how close I hold him to my face..... (while the hormones are raging).... :11:

This, too, shall pass. In like what? 20+ years? (I'll be doing this while in a walker then) Hey, gotta have a sense of humor (and a high pain tolerance)...

Allee, I know you're not laughing! This really is a journey. And a continuous learning experience. Day after day!

Wendy put some Aloe on it. Help with the swelling and bruise

Whoa, Wendy, close call. I had a YNA take a mellon baller size piece of meat out of me one time. I'd hate see what a mac could slice out if they wanted to.

Wendy, being new here, I am not familiar with everyone's birds.....how old is Niko?

My questions stems from wanting to know when I can expect behavior like this when Marley matures.

wrench13 said:

Whoa, Wendy, close call. I had a YNA take a mellon baller size piece of meat out of me one time. I'd hate see what a mac could slice out if they wanted to.

Click to expand...

Ya know what i find strange. And I maybe wrong and I am 100% sure someone will correct me if I am but < I have yet to hear a Macaw biting hard enough to draw blood from a bonded person. I hate the word Owner because I do not own BB. We share a home.

I have seen what a Macaw can do but its always some someone that really messed up in the macaws eyes.

Debate time LOL

I love this statement!

Christinenc2000 said:

Ya know what i find strange. And I maybe wrong and I am 100% sure someone will correct me if I am but < I have yet to hear a Macaw biting hard enough to draw blood from a bonded person. I hate the word Owner because I do not own BB. We share a home.

I have seen what a Macaw can do but its always some someone that really messed up in the macaws eyes.

Debate time LOL

Click to expand...

ILBnGguy18 said:

Wendy, being new here, I am not familiar with everyone's birds.....how old is Niko?

My questions stems from wanting to know when I can expect behavior like this when Marley matures.

Click to expand...

Niko's gonna be 7 in October.

Christinenc2000 said:

wrench13 said:

Whoa, Wendy, close call. I had a YNA take a mellon baller size piece of meat out of me one time. I'd hate see what a mac could slice out if they wanted to.

Click to expand...

Ya know what i find strange. And I maybe wrong and I am 100% sure someone will correct me if I am but < I have yet to hear a Macaw biting hard enough to draw blood from a bonded person. I hate the word Owner because I do not own BB. We share a home.

I have seen what a Macaw can do but its always some someone that really messed up in the macaws eyes.

Debate time LOL

Click to expand...

Too tired for a debate. But interesting topic.

Mine will beak, usually they do NOT bite as hard as Niko did today. :52:

Wow, that looks so awfully painful! Also Sam firmly on your index finger sounds painful as well! On the same day no less . I hope your wounds heal asap!

That is interesting how we really don't hear of a bonded or really any kind of companion macaw biting as hard as they are really capable of. Let's face it, they can easily snap a broomstick, yet you don't hear of people with fingers missing. Are there?? lol

Maybe there are, but they just can't type anymore!

Hey Wendy hope your arm is better today? Thanks for sharing your lesson with us. Always love to see you with your flock but better if no biting involved eh LOL?

Glad that bite wasn't as bad as it might've been, Wendy. And it's great that you've posted the video to help educate others whose macs (or parrots in general) have not yet gone into that hormonal stage. It's good for them to know what's coming... and why.

And now Ripley's on the verge? Ouch. His beak is even bigger.