So I am "babysitting" a Maximillian Pionus for about 6 months. This is fine with me, since the bird is VERY quiet and easy to care for, so there is absolutely no hatred or resentment on my part (EDIT: I'm not trying to sound like a martyr or saint anything here, I just know that animals pick up on stuff like that). I've had to deal with a very difficult African grey before, so I KNOW what an obnoxious bird is like! I talk to him daily and he seems to be happy about it, so long as I don't put my fingers near his cage.
However, it would be nice if I could take him out of the cage for some exercise on a daily basis like his owners do.
But this is really hard, since he has apparently bonded with my step-dad, and therefore tries to bite ANYONE else who comes near him. It's been about 2 weeks since we've had him, and I've VERY gently tested him daily. Bringing my fingers towards the cage or opening the door are invitations towards biting. And YES, he will bite. I do not currently wear gloves, but I do hide my my fingers inside a sweatshirt because it HURTS if he gets me. I DO NOT try to chase him inside his cage, nor do I try and drag him outside of his cage. At most, I will just offer my hand near the outside of the cage (whether open or closed).
Various opposing websites have encouraged me to either buy gloves or to try a very long hand-perch to start out with.
The bird really seems happy to interact with people and to walk around, so it makes sense to me that he would really want/need some exercise.
And he seems like a very nice bird outside of the biting. I am open to whatever works and makes the bird happy. If leaving him in his cage is the best option, I will do that. It's just that I am unable to handle him and remove him from his cage because he is very territorial and/or aggressive.
However, it would be nice if I could take him out of the cage for some exercise on a daily basis like his owners do.
But this is really hard, since he has apparently bonded with my step-dad, and therefore tries to bite ANYONE else who comes near him. It's been about 2 weeks since we've had him, and I've VERY gently tested him daily. Bringing my fingers towards the cage or opening the door are invitations towards biting. And YES, he will bite. I do not currently wear gloves, but I do hide my my fingers inside a sweatshirt because it HURTS if he gets me. I DO NOT try to chase him inside his cage, nor do I try and drag him outside of his cage. At most, I will just offer my hand near the outside of the cage (whether open or closed).
Various opposing websites have encouraged me to either buy gloves or to try a very long hand-perch to start out with.
The bird really seems happy to interact with people and to walk around, so it makes sense to me that he would really want/need some exercise.
And he seems like a very nice bird outside of the biting. I am open to whatever works and makes the bird happy. If leaving him in his cage is the best option, I will do that. It's just that I am unable to handle him and remove him from his cage because he is very territorial and/or aggressive.
Last edited: