Hello Everyone!

[SaraBridge]

I am new to this forum and have enjoyed so many of your posts with such helpful information! I am 'mom' to a 6-year old lovebird named Sarah and a 2.5-year old white bellied caique named Bridgit. I love them both to pieces! Both were hand raised by wonderful breeders, visited many times during the weaning process, and came home happy and healthy. I live alone so the house is generally quiet, except when my sister and her children come to visit, which is quite often. Sarah loves company and Bridgit did too until recently. She has suddenly become quite afraid when certain people come into my home, particularly my little nephew who she used to snuggle and play with. Now, she fluffs up and then..CHOMP! She takes a good bite out of me, as typically I am holding her. If I'm not, she'll head straight for him. This is the only time she bites. I then put her back in her cage and if my nephew goes near the cage or even speaks, she begins climbing in circles around the cage, almost in slow motion, as though she's either marking her territory or trying to figure a way out in order to go on the attack and get him good! Anyone have thoughts or ideas as to why such an aggressive change in behavior? Many thanks!

 

[henpecked]

Welcome to the forum, i just typed a very long response to your post and lost it. Basicly there many issues involved. Living alone,maturing bird,parrots not trusting kids , etc. Socialization is a big part and something you can work on.Parrots like confident and trustworthy people , kids who have been traumatized by an aggressive bird don't fit that bill. Birds who learn to dominate a person or bird don't tend to change,this will take a lot of work on your and your nephews part.Maybe a cake lover (caique=cake) will come along and help better than i.Try starting a thread in the caique section.I'm in the amazon section most of the time but would glad to help if i can. Feel free to PM me if need be.

 

[SaraBridge]

Thank you so much for your 'welcome' and for responding to my inquiry. I initially thought Bridgit might be going through a 'terrible-two' stage, but what you say makes sense. She does not get a lot of socializing and my nephew is now afraid of her. Funny thing is, Bridgit LOVES my sister who is scared to death of her! Go figure! Are parrots typically not trusting of kids? Now that I think of it, I used to have two little neighbors who always wanted to come and visit the girls, but each time they came in, Bridgit would respond in the same way she does to my nephew. I am my nephew will have to work patiently at trying to change this behavior. I'll follow your advice and post in the 'cake' section to see if I can learn more.

Again, many thanks and I'll be sure to give you a shout if I encounter other issues

 

[cockatielfan17]

i think ur parrot doesnt like ur nephew maybe because its jealous of him some how maybe u socialize with him more than with her so she is jealous well thats what i think and welcome to the forum hope u enjoy ur time here and plz post pics of ur parrots

 

[MikeyTN]

I would have to say your nephew might of done something to her that she did not like! BUT it is hormone season....lol....So that may be a factor too as well...