Aggressive Quaker

[Sburk]

I've recently joined this forum because my little buddy has driven me to seek some help. Kiwi has lived with me for about 4 years. The first 3 he or she has been very friendly, but lately pretty aggressive. He will land on my desk where I use my computer squat down and drag his beak on the table then attack the mouse or keyboard, then my hands are next. I've tried the pushing my hand toward him when this happens but he just digs in harder. Last night I was bleeding pretty bad. Also he has started spreading his wing feathers, and his chest is missing some too. Please ask as many questions and help me out, he is all I have.

 

[Kentuckienne]

I know nothing about Quakers except they are reputed to be susceptible to plucking and self mutilation, I'm sure someone will chime in to help. Do you think he sees the computer mouse as some kind of egg? If you covere it with a cloth, say, so he can't see it, does he still attack? Maybe he thinks the mouse is another parrot that you are putting your hands all over, and is jealous. I hope you find a speedy resolution to this distressing development.

 

[Sburk]

I know nothing about Quakers except they are reputed to be susceptible to plucking and self mutilation, I'm sure someone will chime in to help. Do you think he sees the computer mouse as some kind of egg? If you covere it with a cloth, say, so he can't see it, does he still attack? Maybe he thinks the mouse is another parrot that you are putting your hands all over, and is jealous. I hope you find a speedy resolution to this distressing development.

The jealousy concept was one of my thoughts aswell.

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[Sburk]

Well I've scheduled an appointment with an avian vet in my area, hopefully gain some insight and assistance.

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[itzjbean]

Is this the only time he is aggressive, when you are at your computer? or are there other times? I know when some parrots hit sexual maturity their demeanors can change pretty quickly because of hormones. I'm no expert on Quakers, though. Hopefully a Quaker owner will read this soon and give their two cents.

 

[Sburk]

There are some other times, but on my desk he stands his ground. Other times consist of when he is investigating in stuff around my bed side table and I try and move him, but it's not as bad as when on my desk. =(

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[GaleriaGila]

The Rb, like many parrots, HATES all remotes, phones, cams, mouses (mice!?)...
I think it's just something about the idea of a small sumthin' that makes noises and gets caressed/held by you that just doesn't sit right with a bird. Jealousy or threat or ...???

I had to get a laptop with a synaptic mouse because of HIM.

 

[Allee]

A warm welcome to you and Kiwi! How old is your quaker, if you know? Quaker parrots have the distinction of being the only parrots to build nests of sticks, in the wild they live in large colonies and share enormous community nests. Both male and female quakers are hard wired to defend their property from predators. This transfers to quakers who share our homes, all quakers are predisposed to be territorial but often, especially in single bird homes the behavior seldom escalates enough to be a serious problem. Quakers feel the hormone rush and respond, hormones can turn a consistently mild tempered bird into a high octane can opener. If your sweetheart is outside his cage for long periods (if so, you have a fortunate bird) he has more than likely claimed your computer table and any nearby items as his own. In quakers, hormones are often related to the onset of overpreening and plucking. It's possible your bird is female and she's preparing to lay eggs. In any case, I suggest, extra uninterrupted sleep, lots of dark green leafy vegetables and plenty of distractions in the form of destructible toys. The good thing about high hormone levels is, it's only temporary and your little guy or girl will return to normal. I think I would keep Kiwi away from the area he is protecting as long as he's attacking. Sometimes changing up his personal space will distract from nesting behavior. It's very wise to have your bird checked over by an avian vet, blood panels would be great to rule out anything serious and also give you a base for future blood work.

 

[Sburk]

Ah yes! Diet consists of fresh apples bananas green peas (not sweet) broccoli and carrots along with a side dish of parakeet seeds. Kiwi does spend majority of time outside of cage, I'm gone for 8 hours of the day kiwi is left alone. Doesn't seem to keen on toys much anymore. But after being laid off now the money flow is back in just bought a nice cage, and plan on filling up with rope perches and toys of all varieties. And thinking of switching to a pellet diet too from seeds.

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[Sburk]

Ah yes! Diet consists of fresh apples bananas green peas (not sweet) broccoli and carrots along with a side dish of parakeet seeds. Kiwi does spend majority of time outside of cage, I'm gone for 8 hours of the day kiwi is left alone. Doesn't seem to keen on toys much anymore. But after being laid off now the money flow is back in just bought a nice cage, and plan on filling up with rope perches and toys of all varieties. And thinking of switching to a pellet diet too from seeds.

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Need to add new cage has arrived yet so it's not a factor.

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[Sburk]

Update: if kiwi is on the desk he hates my right hand, but my left doesn't get bitten. He won't step up on right only gets down in attack mode and strikes hard, but left kind of reluctantly gets on.

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[Sburk]

A warm welcome to you and Kiwi! How old is your quaker, if you know? Quaker parrots have the distinction of being the only parrots to build nests of sticks, in the wild they live in large colonies and share enormous community nests. Both male and female quakers are hard wired to defend their property from predators. This transfers to quakers who share our homes, all quakers are predisposed to be territorial but often, especially in single bird homes the behavior seldom escalates enough to be a serious problem. Quakers feel the hormone rush and respond, hormones can turn a consistently mild tempered bird into a high octane can opener. If your sweetheart is outside his cage for long periods (if so, you have a fortunate bird) he has more than likely claimed your computer table and any nearby items as his own. In quakers, hormones are often related to the onset of overpreening and plucking. It's possible your bird is female and she's preparing to lay eggs. In any case, I suggest, extra uninterrupted sleep, lots of dark green leafy vegetables and plenty of distractions in the form of destructible toys. The good thing about high hormone levels is, it's only temporary and your little guy or girl will return to normal. I think I would keep Kiwi away from the area he is protecting as long as he's attacking. Sometimes changing up his personal space will distract from nesting behavior. It's very wise to have your bird checked over by an avian vet, blood panels would be great to rule out anything serious and also give you a base for future blood work.

I think around 4

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[ronesp67]

So hello you and kiwi quaker parrots behavior escalates throughout the years due to maturity and territoriality like in the wild but in your situation you can't really do anything don't scream or say ouch because that triggers the bird to like the reaction you get from the bird biting you as if it bites you and you say ouch it will like the noise and keep doing it so what you want to do is when it bites you or attacks your mouse and keyboard just put the bird in its cage or leave the room like that kiwi will learn and understand that it does not get attention when he or she bites and won't like that so she will stop that behavior. Just keep giving the bird the best care and its proper nutrition with lots of toys so instead of biting you and wasting her energy she can bite toys and use the toys instead of the bird just being in the cage doing nothing so that can be one reason why the bird is biting too. Your bird is starting to be territorial like all quaker parrots so maybe she is trying to defend you from those objects.
Hope this helps you out, Ronny