Clifford attacked Joe!

[Cliffordsmom]

Clifford was sitting on the outside of his cage door last night when my boyfriend Joe walked by. All of the sudden he flew off his cage and onto Joe's shoulder, about 5 feet away. It startled both of us first because we couldnt believe he made it that far with clipped wings and second because he just full force bit Joe's ear and scratched his neck trying to get to his ear. Then he flew off and landed on the floor. Good news...Clifford obeyed step up while he was on the ground and just talked to me the whole time I was putting him back in his cage. Bad news.....Joe has a chunk missing from his ear lobe. I'm not sure that he did it on purpose. I think he latched onto Joe's ear to get a grip because he was also surprised he flew that far, and everytime Joe walks by Cliffords cage now the sweet birdie makes kissing noises at him. I told Joe that Clifford was just attracted to his earrings because they are shiny, but Joe said everytime Clifford is on his shoulder he had in his earrings and he never bit him or messed with them before.
What do you think? Attack, accident, or attraction to the pretty metal things?
He never behaved like this in the pet store, we went and saw him 2times a week for a month before we brought him home. I dont know if I should worry about his behavior. I just hope all this is normal and he is adjusting better that it seems.

 

[roxynoodle]

To be honest, it could have been any of those things. I don't think you will know unless it continues happening and you can figure it out by his body language.

 

[Cliffordsmom]

Hopefully it doesn't continue happening. I told Joe to make wure his earrings are out before handling Clifford from now on, but there isnt much we can do if he decides to jump on him! But I really do think he is sorry. He keeps kissing at Joe and making little birdie mumbles. Joe is just talking to him and Clifford's loving the attention, playing peek-a-boo.

 

[roxynoodle]

Well, then I think you can rule out a fly attack. He either slipped on landing and grabbed his ear to hold on, or he wanted the earrings. I have people take out earrings if they want to play with Rowdy.

 

[BillsBirds]

I have earrings myself. And when handling an unfamiliar bird, always take them out. Even some of my own birds still try to bite the earrings. Birds are attracted to shiny things, and could pull them out and accidently swallow them. Also, they want to preen you, and if they don't think the earrings belong there, they will try to remove them.

 

[roxynoodle]

Rowdy has been trying to remove my freckles for 11 years, lol! Thankfully she is gentle about it.

 

[Cliffordsmom]

Never thought about the preening thing Bill. We will make sure when Joe has his earrings in he walks the long way around Clifford's cage. lol. He may have wanted Joe to take out his earrings, like my mom says "those are for girls" haha. Clifford may be an old fashioned birdie.

 

[Cliffordsmom]

Rowdy has been trying to remove my freckles for 11 years, lol! Thankfully she is gentle about it.

hahahaha! "but mom, those don't go there!" sweet Rowdy