My little black capped conure, Ari, is nearly 7 years old, and she has always been full flight. I am her only owner, and it's just her and me in my home. She has always been a very docile bird. She started exhibiting aggressive behavior around Thanksgiving such that she is seeking me out and biting me to the point of breaking the skin.
Spoke with the vet's office, and we determined that it could have been due to an environment change, i.e., putting up my little Christmas tree. I removed the tree and kept her in a cage for a few days--I'll admit that I didn't keep her in for the full week the office recommended as it was just heartbreaking and she seemed to be ok. When I took her out a week ago, she was back to herself. She was cuddly and playful. Then, this past Sunday, she started getting aggressive again--seeking me out and bitting me. I called the vet this past Monday, and the recommendation was to keep her caged for a week and avoid changes to the environment. Vet thinks that Ari is getting an emotional reaction from me when she is biting me, so she might think it's a game.
When I interact with Ari while she's in the cage, I step away calmly if she shows any aggression. I'm giving her treats when she is not acting aggressive. She is letting me pet her while she's in her cage, and she's letting me change the newspaper without issue. Last night she slipped out when I was changing her water, and she was fine. I was able to get her to step up. No aggression at all. But...I put her back in per the vet. I gave hear a treat.
I got home today, and after a bit I tried letting her out to see how she would do--I know...full week was not up. She flew off her cage and around the apartment. I could see signs of the behavior starting. When I had her step up, she bit me--hard. I tired to stay calm as she clamped down on my finger and got her back in her cage.
Ari is eating and drinking normally, and there have been no changes to her diet. She is chatty. Other than the aggression, she is herself. Other than Christmas decorations, which are now put away, there have not been any changes to the environment. Maybe it's the time change and lack of daylight hours?
Any ideas as to what I can do? She and I have always been so bonded. I am her person...and I hope I still am.
Spoke with the vet's office, and we determined that it could have been due to an environment change, i.e., putting up my little Christmas tree. I removed the tree and kept her in a cage for a few days--I'll admit that I didn't keep her in for the full week the office recommended as it was just heartbreaking and she seemed to be ok. When I took her out a week ago, she was back to herself. She was cuddly and playful. Then, this past Sunday, she started getting aggressive again--seeking me out and bitting me. I called the vet this past Monday, and the recommendation was to keep her caged for a week and avoid changes to the environment. Vet thinks that Ari is getting an emotional reaction from me when she is biting me, so she might think it's a game.
When I interact with Ari while she's in the cage, I step away calmly if she shows any aggression. I'm giving her treats when she is not acting aggressive. She is letting me pet her while she's in her cage, and she's letting me change the newspaper without issue. Last night she slipped out when I was changing her water, and she was fine. I was able to get her to step up. No aggression at all. But...I put her back in per the vet. I gave hear a treat.
I got home today, and after a bit I tried letting her out to see how she would do--I know...full week was not up. She flew off her cage and around the apartment. I could see signs of the behavior starting. When I had her step up, she bit me--hard. I tired to stay calm as she clamped down on my finger and got her back in her cage.
Ari is eating and drinking normally, and there have been no changes to her diet. She is chatty. Other than the aggression, she is herself. Other than Christmas decorations, which are now put away, there have not been any changes to the environment. Maybe it's the time change and lack of daylight hours?
Any ideas as to what I can do? She and I have always been so bonded. I am her person...and I hope I still am.
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