Help with Aggression

[Aaralynn8075]

I am hoping someone can help give us some ideas to help our 20yr old Harlequin rescue.

Last year, we rescued a Harlequin Macaw. He was given to the rescue due to aggression. He was adopted and returned to the same rescue 3 separate times due to aggression. My family and I were determined to help him...so we adopted him.

We recognize that he will never be a cuddly bird, but we would like to curb some of his aggression if possible. To be clear, I am not talking small nips, I have ended up in the hospital and have scars to boot, along with my husband. This is our first macaw and we have spent the past year working on our bond. We now would like to see if we can help the aggression.

A little about his care - He is caged about 15% of the day. Other than that, he is either in his backyard aviary or free roaming in the house. He has his main diet as well as a daily mixed 'treat' bowl with fresh fruits, nuts in the shell, veggies, etc. I eat breakfast with him (usually some Heathy fruit cereal or fruit) to bond and we walk him in his stroller each night. He gets plenty of attention.

We do not allow him on our skin at any point in time - we use sticks which he is fantastic at stepping up on. The thing is, given the chance he will switch in a second and latch on and not let go. He may lunge and grab your stomach as you walk by a chair, try to tear a tendon in your ankle if you're sitting on the coach, or go straight to taking off a finger tip if you try to give him a snack. 98% of the time, you can do the same action with zero incident....but that 2%, that 100th Cheezit, well - he just goes for the kill.

I do not know his background. I DO know he is 100% against stick training and clickers (one of my hospital visits). Any ideas for helping? We would love to have a more harmonious and trusting relationship. It is really hard to not be a little uneasy when every few months, he reminds us that his beak is big and sharp.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I commend your commitment to this dangerous but gorgeous bird! Aside from that I have no useful advice other than to be careful!

 

[kme3388]

Have you tried to hire a behaviorist for your macaw? I adopted one back in November, and this did help me. I hired one who had experience with macaws, and in a shelter setting. It’s hard to give advice on macaws as their personalities can vary. The reasons why they bite are all different as well. Someone being able to observe your interactions with your macaw, and intervene is of great help. The photo of your macaw with its wings out as an example. He’s mad. I myself if I see my macaw doing that I walk away, and reproach later. Vets, and behaviorists can also help you understand molting, and hormones. If I know my macaw is hormonal I take extra precautions. There are certain behaviors that indicate when they are hormonal. Thank you for adopting your macaw. There are so many of them sitting in shelters. I am happy you are trying to work through things, and are doing what’s best for your macaw.

 

[wrench13]

2 things. 1st I;d kill off any fruits in his diet - that only amps up energy, the kind that needs quick use. 2nd , this sounds like learned behavior, over his 20 yr life of unknown circumstances. SO yeah a behaviorist could maybe help in that regard.

ANd perhaps overload him with toys to be ripped and torn apart.

 

[HarleY 06]

An EXPERIENCED Proffesional Bird Behaviourist is you FIRST line of attack to fathom out just what some of the birds actions mean (from the birds perspective, not yours! And forms of remedy which will see an improvement. I have 4 B&G's with 2 Harlequins. The male Harlequin (Harley) I purchased and formed a one-on-one bond, which was satisfying, until the others started to arrive. BIG probs - severe bites for a couple of years until he "settled" in. took time, and a lot of me doing things different, or different things in a different way. Advice you have already received makes adequate info/advice asto sexual orientated behaviour or actions. No 2 days will be the same .enough for now - you have enough grit to stay the journey .And I wish you well

 

[kme3388]

Just an FYI my macaw has gotten hormonal the last 2 days. He’s lunging at me on & off. He’s blushing more which indicates to me that he’s heightened. If I see him blushing I am definitely paying attention to his body language. He also is spending more time at the bottom of his cage, pulling papers through his grate, and turning it into confetti. He’s been regurgitating a little. When they get like this they CANNOT help it. They are not in control of themselves. It would be kind of like a teenager being hormonal.

 

[rheashard2]

Have toys various textures and types designed to be ripped to shreds. Stop fruit and decrease simple carbs like rice. Bodies turn them into sugar pretty fast. Look for distraction. My avian vet advocates this strongly. It can be as simple as bouncing a tennis ball, dragging a rope ect.

 

[Aaralynn8075]

Have you tried to hire a behaviorist for your macaw? I adopted one back in November, and this did help me. I hired one who had experience with macaws, and in a shelter setting. It’s hard to give advice on macaws as their personalities can vary. The reasons why they bite are all different as well. Someone being able to observe your interactions with your macaw, and intervene is of great help. The photo of your macaw with its wings out as an example. He’s mad. I myself if I see my macaw doing that I walk away, and reproach later. Vets, and behaviorists can also help you understand molting, and hormones. If I know my macaw is hormonal I take extra precautions. There are certain behaviors that indicate when they are hormonal. Thank you for adopting your macaw. There are so many of them sitting in shelters. I am happy you are trying to work through things, and are doing what’s best for your macaw.

Thanks so much. I will look for a behaviorist in our area. I have never heard of one here and actually have to drive to another city for a vet, but I would love to learn!!!

Weirdly, in the open wing pic he is doing "pretty wings". You can tell him he has pretty wings and he spreads them wide. This is why I find him tricky - he seems to do things a little backwards. He can be relaxed eyes, relaxed body, making kissing noises 1 second and straight chomping the next. The times you can see it coming make sense, but those others I still can't figure out.

I am so impressed with this group. Please keep the advice coming.

 

[Aaralynn8075]

Have toys various textures and types designed to be ripped to shreds. Stop fruit and decrease simple carbs like rice. Bodies turn them into sugar pretty fast. Look for distraction. My avian vet advocates this strongly. It can be as simple as bouncing a tennis ball, dragging a rope ect.

I did not know about the fruit! He gets an apple slice every morning. I will definitely stop that.

I will also up the toys/distractions!

 

[Aaralynn8075]

Just an FYI my macaw has gotten hormonal the last 2 days. He’s lunging at me on & off. He’s blushing more which indicates to me that he’s heightened. If I see him blushing I am definitely paying attention to his body language. He also is spending more time at the bottom of his cage, pulling papers through his grate, and turning it into confetti. He’s been regurgitating a little. When they get like this they CANNOT help it. They are not in control of themselves. It would be kind of like a teenager being hormonal.

Ozzie also has been pulling his pads through the grate. Is that a hormonal thing? He also kind of likes to back into a corner or under a couch and protect it like his life depends on it. But this behavior has seemed pretty consistent over the year. Does that mean anything?

 

[Aaralynn8075]

I commend your commitment to this dangerous but gorgeous bird! Aside from that I have no useful advice other than to be

 

[wrench13]

I do know for certain this year has been one for the books regarding hormone/mating season both length and intensity. My little 'zon usually has 3 months max of it, this year over 6! And it seems the bigger the parrot the longer and more intense its been. Just sayin'.

 

[kme3388]

My macaw bit a vet so hard that she bailed. I understand, and I would 100% prefer that a vet declines to see my macaw that they don’t have experience with then see someone get hurt. Ive had real issues even finding a vet for my parrots yet alone one that’s big & powerful. I dropped off a crow at a wildlife rehab place in my state, and talked to them about my macaw. They deal with eagles & hawks so they understand the big powerful birds. They suggested a vet that has experience with the big birds who may be a good fit for my macaw. He was able to get an available slot, and is going to be meeting with a new vet. Macaws have a very nasty bite. You really want to learn their body language, their hormones, and anything to help you prevent bites in the first place. I have so much empathy for you getting bit by your macaw. I have seen firsthand what they can do. That poor vet that was just trying to help him probably needed stitches. Luckily I’ve only gotten bites that were little scratches. It hurt my ego more than anything.

Yes, sitting at the bottom of a cage in a corner, and trying to build a nest of out papers can be hormonal behavior. Backing into things, and dark places is another sign. There are many and as time goes on, and you learn more about your macaw you’ll learn many more. Approaching your macaw when they are hormonal can end in bites. Please be very careful.

 

[rheashard2]

Agree with above. Especially learning your birds body language. Remember that while you are learning his the reverse is also true. Parrots learn our body language, facial expressions and a lot more. How they respond depends upon temperament, personality, history and what they want! Be careful. If possible start a small journal of behavior negative and positive. Include what is going on around him. It will help a behavior specialist if you go that route. More importantly it will help you. You may discover triggers. Triggers won't meet human logic. It'll be purely avain. Example; my CAG gets along well with my daughter. Provided she keeps all body parts with tattoos covered and out of reach. Fortunately none are on arms, hands.