Green Cheek Turned Nasty

[jhk515]

Hi everyone,

We've had a GCC since last August, when we got him/her as a baby from a breeder. Zazu was hand-raised, and was a sweetheart with us (me, especially), since day one. My daughter left in September to go back to university, and when she came back at Christmas, Zazu constantly attacked her - drawing blood at times. Zazu was great with our son, my husband and I the whole time. When she returned again, just in April, suddenly Zazu likes her - to the point of making nesting-type motions on her neck (he loves her long hair), and in any scarf she might be wearing. This consists of hunkering down and doing little wing flicks while making odd little noises, and which leads us to believe he is actually a she. At any point, suddenly I'M the one s/he has decided to attack now - if I even go near the cage to open the door, he tries to take my fingers off. I have two big welts on my neck and one on a finger where he attacked me today. This has happened with anyone around, and nobody around. S/he'll be a year old on the 25th, so could this be related to achieving sexual maturity? Our daughter hasn't been living at home, but is here very frequently. Zazu continues to be OK with our son and my husband as well. I'm afraid to try to take him into the bath/shower with me anymore, as well.

Any tips on how to deal with this?

Thanks,
Judy

 

[Grenage]

You're probably right on the hormones, my GCC turned into a complete bastard at 1 year (also coincided with spring). I'd probably start by giving him some space, and work on avoiding the potential to get bitten.

I don't mean that you avoid getting him out, but that you avoid letting him on your shoulder, and keep your hands away when you think a bite is likely. Touch training, regardless of whether you have done any before, is a good way to restablish a relationship - and keep eager beaks occupied.

It will get better eventually, just try not to take it personally or respond to the bites. We all know that's easier said than done when you've got a razor sharp beak embedded in your knuckle.

 

[jhk515]

Hi,

Thanks for that. I'll have to look into that touch training thing. Big question - why does everyone say not to react when they bite you?? Isn't it better to let them know it's not acceptable? How will they know the difference - that it's OK to bite some things, but not others (i.e. people) if you don't let them know???

Thanks for replying!

 

[weco]

Parrots are big game/drama junkies, especially conures and when you jump, flinch, jerk back, etc. they see it as either a response to something they've done or as a fear that they might use to their advantage in the future.....similarly, when a person who presents a shaky finger and/or displays any type of fear when offering their finger/hand for a bird to step-up on will get at stronger beak-hold (not bite) than a person who presents a solidly held finger or hand.....

Often when doing early research for a new bird, we miss mentions of these little things & when the first few months go great, we think our bird is not like other peoples little monsters & don't do much further reading.....it's too bad that birds don't come with a sticker Warning, training & attitude adjustment probably required.....

Yes, you do need to let your feathered friends know you are displeased with something they do, but you also need to be aware that giving a wrong signal might just exacerbate the problem.....like Grenage said, touch training is a good method, as is clicker training.....read up on both & see which you think might work for you & Zazu.....

Good luck.....

 

[Kalidasa]

I agree 100% with the posts above. It SUCKS being harshly bit by a parrot, but I truly believe you just got to "take your lumps" and not react except for the word "no" firmly but calmly, then calmly give him a time-out and don't respond to him at all for a little so he can chill out and understand that biting will not be tolerated, that his bite does not hurt, it has no effect but to get him timed-out and ignored. Every bird is different, but for me it worked like a charm.

 

[BoomBoom]

To add to the excellent advice you've been given, try to avoid being put in a situation where your parrot would have to bite you. The more bites occur, the more it becomes a habit -- and habits are hard to break for our birds.

Just be patient and don't take the bites to heart, its nothing personal

Goodl uck!

 

[jhk515]

Ah, gotcha! Thanks, everyone! LOVE this line: "Warning, training & attitude adjustment probably required...." Isn't that so true!

I had moved his cage into the living room on the weekend because, where he'd been in the kitchen all winter, was in front of a window that I wanted to open, but didn't want him getting a draft. I moved him back to the same place last night, though, in case the move hadn't been appreciated.

And, last night, I followed another piece of advice I read on here - when I was going to bed, with very little light on, I took him out, speaking quietly to him - at first, he tried to bite, but having already been asleep, it wasn't very strong, and then he didn't bother. This morning, I went to let him out like nothing had happened, and everything was fine! Tonight, same thing, except when I put him back in his cage for the night, but again it wasn't as harsh as yesterday. Will try the night thing again tonight!

And, will look into those training methods. I appreciate all the help!!