GCC aggressive towards me, but didn't used to be

[JackieMK]

Hi!

My name is Jackie, and I'm new to the forum. I have a bit of a problem GCC male (DNA tested) on my hands, and could use some advice. Sorry for the long post.

Some info:

I adopted my lovely GCC, Goblin, 2 years ago from a woman who was moving and could no longer take care of him. She raised him from a young age, and he was approximately 6 months old when I got him. I should note that the woman's husband did not like Goblin at all, so he had a fear of males and strangers for a while that I manged to fix, and he was a little cuddle bug up until 2 months ago.

I was hired for a job in a city an hour and a half away and would be moving quickly, so on the weekends I would go up and my mother would watch him, which wasn't a problem since he loves my mom. But I think he started to think I was abandoning him, because he would be nippy towards me when I got back, but it never lasted more than half a day.

He had never bit me before, and would always listen to me, but one day he ran up my arm without warning and bit my cheek HARD. The then tried to go back and get my neck. He was okay with me for a while after that, but recently the behavior has escalated to the point where I can't handle him without getting bit, or have him fly towards me all angry and puffy.

I've taken him to an avian vet several times(he got a hormone injection the last time to see if that would help), he has a well balanced diet, gets plenty of sunlight, and has toys to keep him busy. He spent a week and a half with my mom, and I just brought him up to my new apartment this past Sunday, but I can't let him out without risking getting blood drawn, so I've been spending lots of time near him, reading to him, giving him treats, and just letting him know i'm there.

My mom is the only one who can handle him without getting bit (she lives in a different city now since I moved). I have no idea what to do now, and how to regain his trust. I know it will take a while, but I feel that he's not happy with me. Again, sorry for the long post, but I need some advice.

Thank you!

 

[Xraysrrad]

Hi Jackie,

I am far from am expert, but here are my thoughts. First of all, I think it may take a little while to get Goblin settled back into his routine, give him a little time.

Not sure if you target trained him before, but it is a trust building exercise. With very aggressive birds, you can start with the bird in his cage. Have him touch the stick, click, and give a treat. Get him accustomed to knowing that the click = desired behavior & treat. Slowly work your way up to getting him to come out, stepping up, etc.

Good luck to you both!
Robin

 

[Taw5106]

Hi there! I don't have a GCC I have a Green Cheek Amazon who is 25 yo, and an Eclectus who is 2 yo. From my experience, and I am not an expert, it sounds like he has bonded with your Mom. Bonding has nothing to do with time together or apart. When I picked up my 25 yo Amazon Buddy, it was instant love, I was completely new to him and he took an instant liking to me. that is a blessing.

I use to consult and travel Monday through Thursday, traveling and working far from home is hard so I understand your frustration but have you considered your Mom may have the bond with your GCC you want?

 

[JackieMK]

Thank you for your responses.

Xraysrrad: He was stick trained by his previous owner, but not target trained. I will have to start that. Pretty much going back to square 1 seems like what I'm going to have to do. I know it will take him time to adjust; I was told it could take a month or more.

Taw5106: I have considered that, and I know that she does have that bond with him, but he didn't used to. I'm wondering if he developed that bond while I was traveling and getting things set up to move. He started becoming overly possesive of her around when this past Spring began, so we took that into account as well. He is (well, was) very bonded to me before then, even my vet told me how well he had bonded with me the last time I took him in (he was cuddling with me the entire visit). Someone did tell me that the bird picks the person, not the other way around. My mom loves him, but he can be unpredictable at times so she won't be his primary caregiver.

**UPDATE** After some sweet talking and treats, Goblin became more docile and let me pet him through the cage bars without him biting my finger. He even started massaging his own head while I was doing it, and was making his happy bird sounds.
I let him out for a little bit, but was very territorial, and making a big display. Still tries to bite me when he's outside his cage, but if he's inside, he's fine.

Why do you think that is? Could it be his new surroundings?