Green Cheek Conure Aggression

[crazybirdlady19]

Hi there!

I adopted a beautiful young GCC (1 or 2 years old) just over two months ago, and he used to be the sweetest, cuddliest thing. However, within the past week or so, he has become very aggressive toward me--fanned out tail, screaming, and biting HARD whenever I even come near him.

My family members seem to think this is just a phase for him, but he's breaking my heart :smile016not to mention what he's doing to my poor fingers!). Any ideas as to how to break this sudden aggression would be greatly appreciated.

 

[LordTriggs]

welcome to puberty

He's more frustrated than aggressive, he wants to have relations most likely with you and you're not letting him so he's getting annoyed and biting. Best fix is to make sure he has 10 - 12 hours of dark quiet time every day and make sure you're not feeding warm mushy food. Apart from the enforce bite training by telling him no and putting him on the floor then just not paying attention to him for a couple seconds. He'll learn that biting ends the fun. This is a phase, the worst they will get but be prepared for hormones to happen each year, thankfully the first bout is normally the worst

 

[Flboy]

Hitting hormonal twos! Not his fault! Just love him through it and make sure you don't develop a negitive relationship!!
Search on 'MonicaMC+hormones' minus the'

 

[crazybirdlady19]

Thank you both for your advice! A couple of follow-up questions: Is there any specific time of year that this hormonal stage tends to roll around, and how long does it tend to last in your experience? Also, do you know of any signs I could look for beforehand, the next time this stage rolls around?

Once again, thank you for your help!

 

[FlockFive]

Yup, sounds like you've reached the terrible twos! It passes, and don't take it personally! In the meanwhile you might want to try target training. Whenever your GCC gets aggressive and nippy offer him a clean coffee stick, when he bites it instead of you, say GOOD BIRD! and offer him a treat (or verbal praise only if he responds to that), simultaneously, while his beak is busy biting the coffee stick, get him to step up to you. Repeat this multiple times and it will be a routine to help you interact with your birdie while he goes through his hormonal stage . Hope this helps!

 

[crazybirdlady19]

Thank you! I will definitely have to try the target training. I've never done it with any of my birds, but I've heard great things about it. I also think it would be a great way to help me get him out of the cage without sacrificing my fingers!