Help: advice needed.

[Torrie]

Hello all. I've joined this group today because I'm in desperate need of help for a biting situation. Millie, my Macaw, will be 3 years old this month. I've had her since she was a little over a 1 year old. She integrated into our home with a smooth transition. She is loved by all 4 family members and her primary caretakers are #1 myself and my#2 my husband. She has been happy and well adjusted. The first bite happened out of nowhere (this past July) and caught me completely off guard. There wasn't any noticeable warnings. She was playing on her large swing (which is 3' off the ground) As I was passing her, she lunged out quickly and caught my index finger and bit with enough pressure to cause a gash deep enough to need stiches. My response was minimal; no screaming, just a loud NO. I did double over in pain and take hold of my hand to see if I even had a finger left and to keep the blood from spilling down. She remained outside playing, while I went inside to clean up and my husband took care of her while I kept my distance for a few days and just chalked it up as a demand for attention? I truly had no clue. My husband's job keeps him away much of the time, so he is only home a few days a month. Life went back to the typical routine after that first bite without any further attempts, but I did notice that she wasn't as interested in me handling her as much. She would push my hand away when I would initiate a head scratch etc. and I didn't insist, but just respected her disinterest, thinking maybe she's just becoming more mature. Fast forward to this past week. I went on a 2 day trip and upon returning, I was happy and excited to see her. She seemed excited to see me too. She came out of her cage and when I offered her my arm, she stepped up easily. I spent several minutes sitting with her and walking around with her. The second I made an attempt to replace her onto her portable perch, she bit the finger of my other hand, not just once, like 4-5 times. My finger was literally being mangled. Not pretty. So once again I was dealing with the why's and trying to read in retrospect what I did to prompt her aggression. That occurred on Oct. 31st. Since that time, I continued to allow her come out of her cage and play, but haven't made any attempts to pet her of hold her.Today, I opened her cage and rolled her portable perch over for her to come out and socialize a bit and when offering her my arm to step up, she chumped down so hard on my wrist, I have internal bleeding from the vein that was damaged under the skin. So I thought (big mistake) If I give her her favorite snack, (yogurt on a spoon) she will ease up. Wrong! She lunged forward, grabbed the spoon and bit the spoon so aggressively that I heard her beak crack or split. I'm heartbroken here. I love this bird, but I'm not willing to lose an extremity. If I didn't know better, I would suspect this bird had rabies. Can anyone offer any advice or at least offer me a few words of sympathy for my injuries? Seriously, someone, anyone, help me out here; Please. Thanks for listening.

Torrie Torn Up.

 

[sssaucey]

This to me sounds like she's becoming hormonal, and now she's testing her boundaries now that she's maturing.

How does she act with your husband?

I don't own a macaw so hopefully someone with more experience can help you

 

[JerseyWendy]

Gosh, Torrie, I am so sorry!!!

Firstly, welcome to the forum.

Please don't give up on Millie, and also please don't let her sense that you are possibly intimidated or scared of her. She WILL take advantage then even more.

Is she stick trained? (Does she step up onto a stick) If so, I would initiate training session, using the stick only. You can start with the up and down command until she does it flawlessly. Her foot should come up readily as soon as you tell her either "up" or "step up".

Has she ever attempted to lunge at your husband? You said he works away from home a lot, so when he comes home, is she mad at him for having been away?

I honestly don't know what to tell you about her obvious HARD and painful bites. WOW, you even needed stitches!!! :11:

I am hopeful that more members with extensive mac knowledge will chime in.

 

[Torrie]

Thank you for the replies. Millie has been slightly nippy with my husband, mostly in a naughty way,(easily redirected) not lunging or chomping with aggression. He hasn't experienced any major aggression. She is not stick trained yet. I'll need to research that. I've just recently watched a video explaining a clicker technique. She appears happy to see my husband when he returns. She'll typically do her "wings up" routine and flushed face for the first 10 minutes after he returns. You are possibly right about her sensing my fear and my fear is becoming heightened with each biting episode. I find it hard to believe that this is the same bird that was so sweet and gentle before. Isn't there something to regulate her hormones? Is it a cycle, or can I expect she'll remain mean unless I implement some behavioral intervention?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Torrie, I seriously doubt Millie is going through any hormonal stages at this young age. Big macs usually start getting hormonal around 5-8.

Clicker training is a GREAT idea!!! If you do a search on here, there are numerous great articles on how to go about it.

Hold on, let me see....

http://www.parrotforums.com/general-parrot-information/457-clicker-training-parrots.html

http://www.parrotforums.com/training/27597-clicker-training-video-rosie.html

Those are just 2 threads out of many.

 

[Torrie]

JerseyWendy,Thank you for the training video's.

 

[JerseyWendy]

You're so welcome.

Again, I know more knowledgeable folks will chime in, too.

....Birdman666, MikeyTN...where are you????

 

[MenomaMinx]

Talk to your vet about medicine for extreme hormonal behaviors – they do exist. One of them is actually an implant about the size of a grain of rice. That's the most expensive version.

In the meantime, remember this is still the same bird you always had – this is going to pass eventually and you're getting your bird back

 

[sssaucey]

I wouldn't discount her being hormonal at her age, some large macaws have been known to become hormonal as early as 2 (not common, but not unheard of). Since the change was fairly sudden I think you should research the do's and don'ts of a hormonal macaw.

 

[Birdman666]

this to me sounds like she's becoming hormonal, and now she's testing her boundaries now that she's maturing.

How does she act with your husband?

I don't own a macaw so hopefully someone with more experience can help you

Nope. ABSOLUTELY NOT!

These guys don't start the hormonal stuff until around age 7.

This is about testing the boundaries, and pushing to become the flock leader. This sounds more like macaw "bullying" behavior. And this is right about the right time for that.

 

[Birdman666]

I thought I replied to this last night... by the way.

I don't know what happened to my post.

I have had two instances where macaws I was rehabbing have taken my fingers down to the bone and required stitches, so I feel your pain... or have felt it anyway.

First order of business with these guys is bite pressure training them. (This is what happens when that training isn't done.)

From now on you need to be very, very careful not to take your eyes off her when handling her. Use two fingers on the top of the beak when stepping up or putting back. Have a towel nearby so if need be, you can towel her...

This bird absolutely needs to be clipped... If the bird lunges, or attempts to latch on, down to the floor you go. Meet Mr. Towel. Mr. towel does not like it when you bite. He will come and get you...

If he lunges, push the beak away. Put the bird on the floor. He doesn't get off the floor til he behaves. (They feel more vulnerable on the floor.) If he goes for your feet take a couch cushion, and back his butt up into a corner. Towel him if necessary.

This bird has suddenly become aware of his own power. He is liable to start using bite pressure to get his way. Nip it in the bud now! Unfortunately, this requires you to stand up to the bully.

 

[BruceV]

I thought I saw it somewhere, but I can't seem to find it. How to you train bite pressure? Is there a guide somewhere?

 

[Birdman666]

I thought I saw it somewhere, but I can't seem to find it. How to you train bite pressure? Is there a guide somewhere?

Yeah. I posted it not too long ago with someone... It essentially comes down to beak play games.

But this bird is not at a point where I would be playing beak games with him/her.

This bird needs to go back to basics. Step up. Allow touching. Be nice. Don't lunge. Beak play with this bird right now might be dangerous... That's probably a month away.

Go back to basics. And be firm.

 

[noblemacaw]

I am able to write well but for the life of me cannot "write" well enough to explain how I train for bite pressure. I think video would get the idea across way better than for me to explain it. I thought there was a video made of how do train for bite pressure. At lease I remember a thread was made for how do do this.

Does anyone remember that thread? I would love to read it again. Maybe that will help me be able to articulate better how I do bite pressure training.

 

[Birdman666]

I think I explained it pretty well under the thread soon to be b&g parent with a few questions... a few days ago.

 

[sssaucey]

Thanks for correcting me birdman :53:, this is why I like this forum. Always someone to learn something from

 

[thebirdnerd]

She definitely sounds like she is testing her boundaries. What type of macaw is she? I would definitely try to get her stick trained because if she is on your arm she can run very quickly to your face and then you have no control over her. Also, whenever she is with you make sure she is physically lower than you. Birds that are eye level or higher than you will show dominance. Hope this helps.

 

[Torrie]

Thanks to everyone for all the input.
After reading all the great replies and advice, and before I was able to approach this situation, I had to give myself a few days to get over the mental state of fear and anxiety I had managed to work myself into.
Birdman666, you were 100% on the money. Yesterday, after meeting Mr. (thick) Towel, and a quick trip to the floor, Millie had a sudden change of attitude. Once she understood who was queen of the flock, her behavior quickly changed. She spent the day with me enjoying her swing, eating scrambled eggs and taking a shower, with no attempts at biting or lunging. She pushed my hand away when I attempted to touch her head, but I was okay with that, for now. Today, she was back to her talkative typical self using words, phrases and singing songs I hadn't heard in several weeks. I didn't realize how intuitive she is; or is it all Macaws? or all birds? I don't know, but I know this bird can read me like a book. The slightest reluctance, fear, or hesitation on my part and I'm dead meat. I've got to work on that some more. I'm not a timid person by nature, but I do have a healthy respect for her beak, now that I know what it can do but I can't allow myself to let that respect develop into fear. So, anyway, We're back on track for now. I will look for the posts on beak pressure training? I think that might be helpful. BTW, Millie is a Miligold Macaw. Happy Hatchday to Millie! She turns 3 today. She speaks both Spanish and English. When she came to me, she was already speaking Spanish, so I take no credit for teacher her that. She has a pretty good vocabulary. She says: Hello, Hi, What's the matter? Go out? Mmm, that's good! What's that?, Crackers and Bed, You want that? Shut up! <from me yelling at the dogs barking, ugh! and a few more. What's funny is last year on her birthday, we gave her a little party. We all gathered around and sang Happy Birthday to her. Since then, she has been singing "Happy Birthday to You", all year long. I'm amazed she picked that up with only one opportunity hearing it. She started singing it the very next day..lol. I guess she's just like a kid who wants everyday to be their birthday. This year she'll be singing along with the rest of us. Thanks again for all the help.
Torrie & Millie

 

[MikeyTN]

Sorry I've been MIA and just saw this and Birdman is right on! They test you to your limits and you must stand your ground as they won't back down until you do. They can sense it when someone is afraid of them, the trick Birdman told you to do is the perfect thing to show them, ah huh, you still need me to pick you up don't you. That why she will give you more respect and behave better. I try to tell this to my partner, whom still will NOT touch the macaws what so ever for the past 10 years....lol.....While I'm sitting right there with my fingers in their beak....lol....

 

[cassiepengo]

hey i just have a lovebird,so im not sure, but i read somewhere that sometimes birds trick their owners, like they seem really happy to see you and then they reach out and give you the bite of the year.... idk, they find it fun? i really dont no