Attacking my 6 Old

[AC04]

My beautiful Sun Conure just flew off her cage top, landed on the floor, and ran toward my daughter and tried pecking an biting her. My daughter was sitting calmly on the floor minding her own business. We just rescued Olivia. She steps up sometimes. My wife and I are able to handle her and pet her but she will not allow the kids near her and now this. She is about 2 years old. I am ready to unrescue her after this episode. Any advice on how I can change her behavior and get her to interact with my 6 year old daughter. I have to admit I am pretty ticked off at t eh bird right now. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Spiritbird]

I can undestand how you feel. Are you willing to work with this bird? It will take time and patience. There are educational classes on training birds if you live in one of the states where offered. For now I would not let the bird and your child be in the same room unless the bird is caged.

 

[greycloud]

Welcome to the forum! It can be upsetting when birds are biting. Your say you just rescued her. Remember, this is very scarey being in a whole new place, new people and little kids. She may have never even seen kids before. First, before anything can change, you need to gain her trust. Don't be angry at her, she will feel this. She really needs patience and love right now. She should not be allowed on the floor. If she is flighted, you may have to have her clipped, though this is a last resort. The safety of your kids is important.
If you really want to make this work, we can guide you. But, the entire family must participate. It is not going to be a quick fix. Decide what is best for you and the bird.

 

[AC04]

Definitely open to some guidance and I realize it won't be a quick fix. We have had her for about a month. She is about 2-3 years old according to the previous owner. She seems to be adjusting well. She has nipped me a few times and my wife. She got my daughter once too when she tried to pet her.

I have tried having my daughter give her food, open the door to let her out of her cage but she doesn't seem to like her. My son she hates even more but he is less interested in her. My daughter really wanted to handle her.

Any advice is appreciated. I have moderate expereience. I hand tamed 2 parakeets and we rescued a cockatiel. We slowing working are way up and now we have our Sun Conure, but after today she is skating on thin ice!. I;ll get over it, just still a little ticked. I love our bird but y daughter certainly ranks higher. HELP! I look forward to your replies, until tomorrow. Thanks

 

[CrypticDelirium]

You could always try introducing them in the same way but much more slowly, have your daughter hand a treat through the cage and/or just talk to her for a few days close by, then slowly move up to gentle patting through the cage, then just leave the door open and see if she'll come to your daughter. This process might take even a few weeks, especially if (since you rescued her), she may have had a bad experience with children in a previous home. She may be fearful, or simply doesn't understand.
Also make sure your kids do not show fear or flinch away, it will only encourage the behavior as birdie will think she can make want she doesn't want close go away.
Good luck, I'm sure if you just keep at it she'll come around. She just has to learn that your daughter is not a threat, and get more used to her surroundings and new life. = )

 

[bogo1]

Actually, I would be very cautious about having your daughter have any contact with your bird when bird is free, for now. A six year old can't help flinching and honestly all of us are likely to flinch from what seems like an unprovoked attack. It wasn't unprovoked, you know, the bird was triggered by something in her past, but your daughter was on the receiving end and innocent and frightened so you have every right to be shook. I would suggest several things. First, if you can, gather more information from previous owner. It would help to know what the trigger was "back when". They might be defensive if you tell them why you are asking so I would keep it general. Even without that information you can think about what makes your daughter different (in the conure's eyes) than you and your wife. She has a higher voice and "sneaks up" from below. She has quick movements. She ... you get the idea. To start to establish trust and let your daughter have some positive interaction with the parrot, perhaps she can help make the food and place it into the bowl holders (assuming your cage design would keep her safe from a quick nip). She can help set up treats and fruit kabaabs and the like (although you or wife should do the actual hanging of the Kabaab. In general, her interactions with your Sun should be protected and trust building on both sides. Now... take a breath.. but I am going to suggest that you give your daughter a keet of her very own. You already know how to tame them and they will provide her hours of fun, allow her to mimic your care of the Sun and will not hurt her. The keet will have a wonderful life as well. Just a thought... but it would give your daughter a chance to be fully engaged with a bird and learn skills that will help her as your larger parrot comes to trust her.