Sudden agression in tame kakariki

Kakariki5

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Jul 22, 2018
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Red crowned kakariki
Hi all,

I have had my kakariki for just over a year now, 13 month old male. I hand reared him and he is very tame and shown with many people he is comfortable with human interaction.

This morning when going to let him out, i noticed some agreesive behaviour as he went to bite me and i opened the cage then began to follow my hand continuing to try and bite. I left him for a while then let him out, after i done this he landed on the floor and went to bite my feet, i walked and steped onto my bed to try get away and he wouldnt stop.

This was very unexpected from him and im unsure why this has happened. Nothing in his environment or diet has changed. Could anyone offer any advice?

Thank you
 

ChristaNL

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May 23, 2018
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NL= the Netherlands, Europe
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Sunny a female B&G macaw;
Japie (m) & Appie (f), both are congo african grey;
All are rescues- had to leave their previous homes for 'reasons', are still in contact with them :)
Puberty?

I am not an expert on kakariki - but if nothing changes at all exept the bird... I always asume the bird is changing. And all babybirds must grow up at some point.
So I think your bird might be trying to redefine your relationship (maybe not as a concious descision - but his body tells him to do so) - till now you were the parrent, he was the baby...
now he is ending his baby-phase (listen to your mother!) and you have to work on being friends.

(if so: He is a bit of a latebloomer, some females want to start thinking about raising families when they are only 4 months old and some enterprising young men start at 7 --- not a good idea of course, no responsible breeder will let them do that at such a tender age.)

or, maybe he just had a bad night and was very cranky ....
(I don't know where you live but it is really hot in a lot of places and it effects the birds.)

Keep an eye on him
(lol, as if I have to tell you!)


you might want to read up on "bite pressure training" (here), just in case you need it (it's a very usefull thing for every bird to know anyway)
 
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Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
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Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Welcome to you and your kakariki!

Biting may be a show of independence or possibly hormonal activity. Hopefully members experienced with this species can assist!
 

noodles123

Well-known member
Jul 11, 2018
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Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
puberty is my guess but any behavioral change should be accompanied my a trip to an avian vet...
 

MonicaMc

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Sep 12, 2012
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Hopefully he just woke up on the wrong side of the perch! ;)


Agree though, wouldn't hurt to get a vet check and see if anything has changed lately that might be causing this behavior. He could be just growing up and he needs some training on how to behave or maybe he has too much pent up energy and doesn't know how to get rid of it.
 
OP
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Kakariki5

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Jul 22, 2018
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Red crowned kakariki
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Thank you for your replies,

My first thought was that he was going through puberty, and after googling a few things i thought it would be best to describe the situation and get some opinions just to be sure as this is my first birb.

I live in the UK, and recently the temperature has got really hot, i will be having a research into ways to help birds cope in the heat.

This morning he has calmed down, he is showing small signs of agression towards me, not as bad as yesterday, and is not showing signs of agression to other family members. I will be looking into the 'bite pressure training' and will take him though training again to correct unwanted behaviours.

Thank you :)
 

Scott

Supporting Member
Aug 21, 2010
32,673
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San Diego, California USA, Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Parrots
Goffins: Gabby, Abby, Squeaky, Peanut, Popcorn / Citron: Alice / Eclectus: Angel /Timneh Grey: ET / Blue Fronted Amazon: Gonzo /

RIP Gandalf and Big Bird, you are missed.
Feb 17, 2016
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Southern California
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Major Mitchell Cockatoos
Bentley & Isabelle

Australian Grass Parrots
Chipper & Pearl
If you have a T-Pearch , try teaching your bird to step-up and step-down the T-Pearch would also be a diversion, in stead of going after your hands and feet the bird can only be able to bite the perch and learn to step up, take it slowly as not to scare him, work with the step up and step down for a few times each day. Consistency is key in teaching your bird these skills. Some birds become aggressive in and near their cages. Working with your bird away from his cage will help him to calm down in a quiet area. You will be able to have a better chance of a successful outcome.
 
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ChrisYNA

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Jul 3, 2018
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A Yellow-Naped Amazon girl, named Kuba
That's a cute bird.:)

(just googled it and watched some on youtube - never heard of these before)
 

EllenD

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Certainly does sound like it could be sudden hormones, especially at that age...However, any time that a tame bird shows a sudden change in their behavior, especially if it's a sudden aggression/biting/anger out of nowhere, you must always rule-out that the bird is sick and doesn't feel well, or is in pain...A trip to your Certified Avian Vet for a wellness-exam and at least a Fecal Culture is a really good idea, as you know how well birds hide all outward signs of illness and pain for as long as they can, and by the time we as humans see that something is wrong, it's often too late to help them...
 

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