I Got Angry at Freddie

[SharonC]

True....Now if only I can show him how to not be quite as adamant, when he's in a bad mood! A gentle NO will work just as well! LOL!

 

[Spiritbird]

Lets face it guys and gals we have wild animals in our homes. Our parrots will not be domesticated like dogs and cats. These birds have lots of frustrations and I am sure it gets the best of them sometimes. They are removed from the forrest, removed from mating, removed from their natural flock, we cut their toes nails, clip their wings, feed them from a bowl and more. No wonder they are moody at times.

We should be grateful they love and trust us and willing to learn our language. I rejoice in their wildness and a bite from that beak is little price for us to pay for the joy they bring us.

 

[SharonC]

Fred is not a wild creature...he was bred in captivity. He's never known the forest, a natural flock, or any life other than the one he has had in people's homes. I plan on giving him a good life, and hopefully he and I will respect each other, and coexist happily.

 

[lisamarie973]

That's right, Sharon. MOST of our birds were bred in captivity and therefore have no knowledge of anything different, even if they're only once removed from the wild, they don't know they're suppose to be in the wilderness. I agree that some instinctual things that the birds do are because they were MEANT to be in the wild, and therefore can NOT change those behaviours because that is what is in their make up, but to say that they're frustrated because they can't be or aren't a part of a natural flock, be able to choose a natural mate or roam freely as wild birds do, probably isn't really the case. Can habitated birds become frustrated, sure they can, any animal, dog, cat, bird, rat all can become frustrated, but it's not because they know of a different life that they don't or can't have. Of course, that's JUST my opinion and we are all certainly allowed our own. I simply disagree, but that doesn't mean I'm correct and I'm not trying to be combatitive. I may just have felt the need to state my own opinion because I'm already feeling guilty for having to have had to clip Maui's wings, I don't like that I had to. To exist with him always feeling "guilty" about the life he has to live in captivity isn't condusive to a happy life for either him or I. Maui isn't afraid of ANYTHING, which means that if he were to get loose outside, any predatory animal would easily feast upon him, because his natural instinct to be afraid, is lessoned a great deal and in fact in his case just gone. He's not afraid of other birds, dogs, cats, horses, cows, he would try to be friendly and get eaten.

 

[greenbirdsf]

Please read this article on stress in African Greys. I think all the stuff in here about "punishing" any bird for "unwanted" behavior applies to Amazons and other parrots as well. Just because your bird was hatched domestically and in captivity does not change the fact that these are flocking creatures and prey animals. They are not domesticated over time and through breeding like dogs and cats.

Winged Wisdom Pet Bird Magazine - Managing Stress in African Grey Parrots

 

[torrap]

You will see in just a day or two (could be longer) things going back to normal again or maybe even getting better. I am almost sure and speaking from my experience here.
I brought home Marley end of May, and she was a pure sweetness for a week or two. So I was playing with her like with a little doll (wrong thing to do). I was kissing her all over. Then one morning on our regular routine of opening the curtains together and looking through the windows she just bit me hard on my bottom lip. I didn't make one single sound, I just slowly placed her back on her perch. It was not too much blood and the bite didn't go through the lip, but it was a huge eye opener for me. In a way I am so glad she did that, because we have a different relation now, so much more respectful of each other.
The founder of this exotic bird sanctuary I volunteer for tells me that birds don't get angry. If they bite it's not from anger, but rather because they are trying to say something.
Maybe you should give your Zone a bit more space, more time to play with toys or listen to the radio. I am just guessing, I have no idea how much time you spend with him.
If only we could teach them to talk to us like a human would talk if they need something. It could be so much better than a bite....
I want you to know, I have been the same place with Marley where you are right now with Fred. I was wondering even if I should look for a betet parront for her. But the though of her going to another house and another owner, and a though of her being in a worse conditions than she is right now always put my mind to rest about giving her up.
Today she is a happy girl, she just had her breakfast and went to play with her toys in her cage. I am on vacation, so we all enjoy each other.
Good luck!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Guys .....this is a nearly 3 year old thread...... :54:

 

[torrap]

Guys .....this is a nearly 3 year old thread...... :54:

Hahahahaha................LOL
We get so emotional when we read about someone being bitten, we just go straight to comforting forgetting to look at the date............oh boy.....LOL

 

[melibelly]

Although birds are not children, even parents admit they lost their cool with their kids (I know I have)
My point is no one is a perfect parent/bird owner.
Believe me I lost my cool with my zon more than once.
Give him a day, eventually get back on the horse slowly.
edit: lame you win this round necro bumper!