I know this is probably one of a million similar threads. I'm just so heartbroken and confused about what I should be doing to make sure my bird is happy. It's long, I apologize! I've probably been too thorough. I'd love to hear from anyone with experience!
Medeia and Abe
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My male DYH, Abe, is 16 and DNA sexed male. I got him at around a year old from a friend that didn't like the noise. Abe has a huge cage full of appropriate toys, eats a balanced diet of fresh foods and a small amount of Roudybush. He is physically healthy.
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The Problem:
He was a very sweet, cuddly boy until puberty hit around 7 years old. Then, we had rough patches but I waited it out and all would be fine once the hormones subsided.
When Abe was around 8 I added a Goffin's baby that I hand fed. Once she was 6 months Abe started courting her - preening her and sneaking over to her cage when I wasn't looking , feeding her. His behavior escalated quickly. If Eevee was around he became very aggressive. He'd scream at me and attack me. After a couple months of this Abe was 100% untouchable. He screamed constantly for Eevee if I took her out of the room. If I came in the room it was obviously an intrusion into Abe's territory.
Eventually, it was affecting Eevee. She became hysterical when Abe would come near her, she withdrew from the constant attention and screaming. On the advice of my vet, I rehomed Eevee to my mom's calm flock of eclectus.
Over the past 8 years the pattern has repeated itself anytime someone new comes to stay or just comes over for visit. My mother, father, mother in law, my sister, brother, boyfriend, neighbors, pet sitters - they all become immediately targets for Abe's affection. He will sit with them, preen them, try and mate with their hands. All the while, I cannot go anywhere near him. He will remain in this state until the other person is gone. This applies to people Abe has never met before.
Abe also attaches himself to ANY bird he encounters. When staying with my cousin Abe tried to court her macaw, the cockatiels and her galahs and eclectus! He talks sweetly to them, tries to feed and preen them through the bars, etc.
Mind you, this all occurs outside of normal breeding season. If we have no visitors over breeding season, Abe is quiet and withdrawn.
Last week, I walked past my sister's room (she's visiting for a couple of months) and Abe flung himself off the cage and onto my face, biting and scratching. He screams for my sister constantly and will immediately quiet when she comes into his room.
I've had 3 different parrot behaviorists throw up their hands and say that yes, he's just overly hormonal. I've been to every certified avian vets in town (we have 4!) and they don't feel there's anything to be done except place him with a female. The consensus from professionals seems to be that Abe is sexually frustrated and after 8 years it isn't likely to improve. He will always be unhappy because he doesn't see me as a partner/mate.
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Anyway, if you've made it this far, thank you! I'd love to hear from anyone who has ideas about how best to help Abe.
Medeia and Abe
Medeia and Abe
------------------------------------------------------------------
My male DYH, Abe, is 16 and DNA sexed male. I got him at around a year old from a friend that didn't like the noise. Abe has a huge cage full of appropriate toys, eats a balanced diet of fresh foods and a small amount of Roudybush. He is physically healthy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The Problem:
He was a very sweet, cuddly boy until puberty hit around 7 years old. Then, we had rough patches but I waited it out and all would be fine once the hormones subsided.
When Abe was around 8 I added a Goffin's baby that I hand fed. Once she was 6 months Abe started courting her - preening her and sneaking over to her cage when I wasn't looking , feeding her. His behavior escalated quickly. If Eevee was around he became very aggressive. He'd scream at me and attack me. After a couple months of this Abe was 100% untouchable. He screamed constantly for Eevee if I took her out of the room. If I came in the room it was obviously an intrusion into Abe's territory.
Eventually, it was affecting Eevee. She became hysterical when Abe would come near her, she withdrew from the constant attention and screaming. On the advice of my vet, I rehomed Eevee to my mom's calm flock of eclectus.
Over the past 8 years the pattern has repeated itself anytime someone new comes to stay or just comes over for visit. My mother, father, mother in law, my sister, brother, boyfriend, neighbors, pet sitters - they all become immediately targets for Abe's affection. He will sit with them, preen them, try and mate with their hands. All the while, I cannot go anywhere near him. He will remain in this state until the other person is gone. This applies to people Abe has never met before.
Abe also attaches himself to ANY bird he encounters. When staying with my cousin Abe tried to court her macaw, the cockatiels and her galahs and eclectus! He talks sweetly to them, tries to feed and preen them through the bars, etc.
Mind you, this all occurs outside of normal breeding season. If we have no visitors over breeding season, Abe is quiet and withdrawn.
Last week, I walked past my sister's room (she's visiting for a couple of months) and Abe flung himself off the cage and onto my face, biting and scratching. He screams for my sister constantly and will immediately quiet when she comes into his room.
I've had 3 different parrot behaviorists throw up their hands and say that yes, he's just overly hormonal. I've been to every certified avian vets in town (we have 4!) and they don't feel there's anything to be done except place him with a female. The consensus from professionals seems to be that Abe is sexually frustrated and after 8 years it isn't likely to improve. He will always be unhappy because he doesn't see me as a partner/mate.
-------------------------------------------------------
Anyway, if you've made it this far, thank you! I'd love to hear from anyone who has ideas about how best to help Abe.
Medeia and Abe
