Blue and Gold Macaw sudden spike in aggression

[Lance]

I have a 8 year old blue and gold who last week suddenly got aggressive towards me and my family. His diet has not changed is poop is normal. I got him at 3 days old and handled him myself. He has never acted like this before. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

Welcome to the forum

Sometimes when they suddenly start acting aggressive it could mean they don't feel well. A friend of mine has a pionus who was very sweet, one day she started lunging at her and it was the only sign she was very ill.

Aggression can also hormonal related, puberty, not sleeping well at night, they are just in a bad mood that day(everyone has their off days), or a change in their environments, their humans do something they do not like. Sometimes the smallest changes can make them unhappy and we have to try hard to find what it is.

 

[Lance]

This has been going on for about a week now.

 

[Lance]

Is this something I should be concerned about and bring him to the vet?

 

[JerseyWendy]

I personally would take him to the vet just to rule out any health issues, especially if this came out of the blue.

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I agree with taking him to the vet, if he's fine you will feel relived and can focus on figuring out what is causing the aggression, if he is ill you'll be grateful that you took him.

 

[ann]

Did you move his cage, change your routine, buy a new price of furniture or a new pet, or put something new near his cage? These little things could upset your bird and cause behavior changes. I hope he's healthy and good luck!
Btw-welcome to the forum!

 

[MikeyTN]

At his age I think its very likely due to hormones. Willie started around 8 as well but did his full hormone at 10. He got super aggressive with me, even attacked me.

 

[Lance]

I moved to a new house and brought him to the new house about 2.5 months ago and he was fine. He has had no changes in his diet nor anything new near his cage. The only thing I could figure is that he is mad because he is always out of his cage when I get home and for a couple days I had a lot going on and couldn't let him out as much as normal. I just don't believe he would act like that over a couple of days not being out. The only symptom that is out of the ordinary is that around his eyes have been red and he seems to be shaking. His feathers look great and his droppings are normal and he is eating a lot.

 

[Lance]

Here is a picture of him.

 

[Cami]

As long as your vet indicates good health, Watch for eye pinning and/or shaking, those are signs, keep your face away, they have a tendency to lunge...Spencer entered puberty at 6 years old, been there and still working with it, please be careful.

 

[goalerjones]

Maybe he's a whiskey bird and he is tired of your beer.

 

[MikeyTN]

Maybe he's a whiskey bird and he is tired of your beer.

:18::18::18::18::18::18:

Funny!!!!!

 

[Lance]

Made an appointment tomorrow evening to see what is going on. If its nothing jut a mood swing at least it will give me peace of mind.