Jealous of my husband!

[Birdman666]

People just don't get what Hot 3 means. It means that they are "excitable" and have a long breeding season.

Which means that if you get them worked into a state... well, it's not the bird's fault.

And if they are hormonal, and becoming territorial about something, territorial incursions when they are displaying and in "protect the nest mode?" That's just plain dumb!

"He attacked my face, out of the blue, for no reason... The bird's a psycho"

Um... No! He's a male hot 3 protecting his nest, and you were warned. What did you THINK the hunched over, beak open, spread out tail feathers, eye pinning, pacing back and forth vocalization display meant?! Come hither and give me some cuddles?!

"LEAVE ME ALONE! I'M BUSY GUARDING MY NEST RIGHT NOW!"

 

[Birdman666]

Don't worry you'll have some Brain Flatulence when you are my age LOL
(notice I used the respectable terminology )

~Mark....Oh no wait, I'm JOE

STOP THAT! YOU'RE CONFUSING ME...

for some of us, brain flatulence is all we have left!

 

[Kiwibird]

People just don't get what Hot 3 means. It means that they are "excitable" and have a long breeding season.

Which means that if you get them worked into a state... well, it's not the bird's fault.

And if they are hormonal, and becoming territorial about something, territorial incursions when they are displaying and in "protect the nest mode?" That's just plain dumb!

"He attacked my face, out of the blue, for no reason... The bird's a psycho"

Um... No! He's a male hot 3 protecting his nest, and you were warned. What did you THINK the hunched over, beak open, spread out tail feathers, eye pinning, pacing back and forth vocalization display meant?! Come hither and give me some cuddles?!

"LEAVE ME ALONE! I'M BUSY GUARDING MY NEST RIGHT NOW!"

Yes, Lucy the "dangerous" DYH used to guard her "chick" and her "nest", and I don't doubt you probably wouldn't have wanted to disturb her

I actually think the "hot 3" thing is a load of crap personally. I think they're "hot" alright, as in the 3 most POPULAR/REQUESTED amazon species on the market (the bigger size and beautiful colors and speaking abilities). Naturally, idiots who have no business owning birds get their hands on them more often than other types of zons, have negatives experiences, then WHINE. I don't know much about dog behavior, but if one is snarling and barking at me, I may not know WHY it's behaving that way, but I'm certainly not going to approach it. You may not know it's hormones driving it, but you're an idiot not to recognize a flashing and pinning amazon is not a happy camper.

 

[Kiwibird]

My *personal* interpretation of Kiwi's lack of desire to be touched but overall friendly behavior at this point is that he has accepted us as his flock, but doesn't really view either of us as his mate or chick. He does seem to like us and hanging out with us, is friendly towards us and is obviously not fearful of us or our hands, just prefers a more hands-off relationship. I'm honestly ok with that and understand where he's coming from. I'm not real touchy-feely myself. He isn't actually aggressive towards us, except during the spring (and even that is getting better, due to getting older/mellowing out, I think). I still want to pick him up and give him a big ol' smooch smack in the middle of his head though

 

[Birdman666]

Well, amazon overload is a very real phenomenon... but it's not limited to Hot 3's.

and the biggest problem you have is people don't know when to stop with these guys. When they go into that crazed zon play mode - UMMM... ZONS USUALLY PLAY WITH THEIR TOYS BY ATTACKING THEM!!! Ergo, people get bit. Then, it's like, I don't know what happened. One minute he seemed to be playing and enjoying himself, and then, ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF THE BLUE, HE JUST STARTED ATTACKING ME...

Training an amazon is as much, or more, a training the person thing as it is training the bird.

I think they're one of the easier birds to read myself. You don't know what a large too is going to do.

But you sure as hell know when that DYH pacing back and forth is becoming annoyed!

 

[Birdman666]

I don't know much about dog behavior, but if one is snarling and barking at me, I may not know WHY it's behaving that way, but I'm certainly not going to approach it. You may not know it's hormones driving it, but you're an idiot not to recognize a flashing and pinning amazon is not a happy camper.

Exactly. The zon is doing everything, including the "line of death" dance to try and get you to back off... and then they have the nerve to look surprised!

 

[Kiwibird]

But it's not just the "hot 3" who get overly stimulated. The smaller zons do too, but only 3 species take the bad rap for it.

I try my best not to allow flashy/pinning behavior to reach that "over the edge" point to begin with. I'm never aggressive towards Kiwi, and I do not appreciate him acting aggressively towards me. He's either distracted with a positive activity (some treats to forage) or gets a ride on the stick back home to calm his butt down in a soothing, quiet half-covered cage. Either way, I don't just let him sit there and go nuts (just my personal belief on how to handle it). Over time, the amount he displays that behavior has lessened greatly, even during the hormonal season, and often times just saying firmly "calm it down" will work. Or he can get a one way stick ride home to have a quiet moment by himself....his choice (and he's not a stupid bird).

 

[Birdman666]

I actually think the "hot 3" thing is a load of crap personally.

It's not a personality thing at all. They just have a longer breeding season, so the "normal" amazon hormonal thing LASTS longer with these guys. That's the main difference. And the ones that aren't especially tame, may become worse during this time, especially if they are cage bound and territorial, which, again, goes back to humans not handling them enough, not getting them out and away from the cage, messing with them when they are telling you to back off, etc.

Train the humans issue.

God knows the rescues were overflowing with them during breeding season, and I rehabbed more than my fair share of them.

 

[Birdman666]

Amazon overload affects all of them.

Back off for a second, and let them calm down a minute. Then come back, and they step up just fine.

Push it, and their instint is to push back.

THAT'S ALL OF THEM!

 

[Birdman666]

But it's not just the "hot 3" who get overly stimulated. The smaller zons do too, but only 3 species take the bad rap for it.

I try my best not to allow flashy/pinning behavior to reach that "over the edge" point to begin with. I'm never aggressive towards Kiwi, and I do not appreciate him acting aggressively towards me. He's either distracted with a positive activity (some treats to forage) or gets a ride on the stick back home to calm his butt down in a soothing, quiet half-covered cage. Either way, I don't just let him sit there and go nuts (just my personal belief on how to handle it). Over time, the amount he displays that behavior has lessened greatly, even during the hormonal season, and often times just saying firmly "calm it down" will work. Or he can get a one way stick ride home to have a quiet moment by himself....his choice (and he's not a stupid bird).

Exactly, don't work them into a state.

My BFA never really pinned at me in anger, only in happy to see you mode.

She occasionally pouted a little, and threw minor little vocal fits when she didn't get her way, but that bird never once directed any of it at me...

And she was such a funny bird! HUGE PERSONALITY!!!

 

[Birdman666]

Yes, Lucy the "dangerous" DYH used to guard her "chick" and her "nest", and I don't doubt you probably wouldn't have wanted to disturb her

Now, the bird most protective of ME is my red lored. And she has gone after other birds, and people who have been perceived as a threat to me...

I realize this was meant as a joke, but I could definitely see a DYH standing guard over a baby!

 

[Kiwibird]

The first 3 years we had Kiwi, the hormonal season was HELL. The past 3 seasons have been progressively calmer/shorter/less of the mating behaviors. I'm not sure if that's him getting older or because the first 3 years we had 0 tolerance for aggressiveness (time outs to calm down) and outright ignored the humping/displays:52:

I have noticed in Kiwi, it was far easier to overcome the "this is how you behave" part of his training than it is to open this bird up emotionally. He responds to numerous commands correctly and responded surprisingly well to training not to chew outside his areas, potty training and to lower his vocalizations, but him coming over and tilting his head for a scratch? Hasn't happened yet. Has he learned to not fight while being restrained for grooming? Yes. Does he want to be kissed on and petted? HELL NO. He's really well behaved for a parrot and clearly intelligent, but not very lovey-dovey. Not sure if that's something we did or just him, or his prior experiences or what. He does genuinely seem to enjoy giving kisses and preening on us, but don't you dare preen on him! As his preferred person, Joe gets away with more than I do with touching, but he does listen to me better and is much calmer and more playful around me. He's a strange bird.

 

[Birdman666]

That's really it, though, you go through a couple of years of hell breeding season, and you deal with it, and then you're done with it...

The folks that don't deal with it, remain in hell. (And the bird usually becomes cage bound and territorial, so "IT" bites. Bird's fault?!)

My 41 year old lilac crowned is a "don't touch me amazon." She's as docile as can be otherwise. Just don't touch anything other than her beak or her feet.

I wish you guys were close enough that I could work with her... cuz I'd like to try. I love it when you can get them to take the next step and open up!

 

[Kiwibird]

Now, the bird most protective of ME is my red lored. And she has gone after other birds, and people who have been perceived as a threat to me...

I realize this was meant as a joke, but I could definitely see a DYH standing guard over a baby!

Actually, it wasn't a joke. My mom said she would fly in there every morning, and you had to get her on the stick to get her back out from the day my parents brought me home from the hospital as a newborn. In my own memory, I was very sick as child, and she would sit on my chest and I could pet her and kiss her but when my mom came in, she did NOT approve. When my dad came in, she would launch herself at him and do a full arial attack. Even as an older kid and teen, Lucy made it her business to stay in my room when I was at school and would attack my dad whenever he came near me. To THIS DAY, she still hangs out in my old room and whenever I call my mom, Lucy comes flying over and tries to get through the phone to get to me- she knows my voice. She is incredibly bonded to me, I've actually offered to take her and her "mate" before because while *technically* my moms, she's emotionally MY bird (and you could NEVER separate her from her "mate" of 40 years, Barney the GCA, so he'd have to come too). I *DO* know the immense love and bond amazons have with people, and that's what I was hoping for with Kiwi. He's a lot smarter than Lucy, but not as emotional.

I wish you guys were close enough that I could work with her... cuz I'd like to try. I love it when you can get them to take the next step and open up!

Didn't you say before when you worked with birds, you didn't give them back....:20: Are you trying to steal my kiwi away lol In all seriousness, I do wish someone on the outside would be able to look and say "heres whats going on, the next best step to take would be" too. I can see Kiwi has a lot of potential, and we've made steady progress with him since we brought him home. It's just hard to explain to an animal who has probably never been preened or touched in a positive way by anyone but himself (god that sounds bad lol) that it is a natural, normal and happy thing to allow scritches and pets. Maybe it just hasn't been enough time. It took years for people to break his trust and terrorize him or whatever it is his prior owner did, so it'll probably take an equal amount of time to win it back...

 

[Birdman666]

Pair bond birds. There are two types of flock behaviors.

1. Survival of the fittest: Kick the sick bird out of the nest, to avoid exposure, and leave the sick to the hawks.

and 2. What I call "Guardian Angel" birds. Watch over the sick, weak, and injured, and bring them food.

Amazons are primarily GUARDIAN ANGEL BIRDS. So that is totally in keeping with their character.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Anyone out there with "cuddly photos" of their BFAs or DYHs so we can clear those species tarnished reputations too lol?

Your wish is my command.

 

[Birdman666]

:d Lay down and quit tryin' to make a liar outta me! :d

 

[henpecked]

Was Kiwi an xbreeder bird? The more i learn the more he sounds like he was bonded to another bird. he could still become a cuddle bug regardless.

 

[Kiwibird]

Was Kiwi an xbreeder bird? The more i learn the more he sounds like he was bonded to another bird. he could still become a cuddle bug regardless.

We don't know very much about Kiwi's background, but with what we do know, I would find it unlikely he was ever a breeder or bonded to another bird. Then again, who knows if the 2 homes WE knew about were his only ones or if he's possibly older or we were given inaccurate info

This lady really just wanted to get rid of him. What we do know is he was around 10 when WE got him and the lady said SHE adopted him when he was around 5. He was rehomed to us because he "hated" her (maybe he "hated" her because she kept him in a cat carrier!) and we were informed he "hated" women (he seems to like me enough after I put in the effort with him, he's just not madly in love with me). He was also apparently kept in a cat carrier in his prior home to hers too. She said at some point he was DNA'd as a male, and I believe it after seeing his humping and overall mating behavior:52:, though we never cared enough to have it confirmed ourselves. He has interacted with my parents 2 amazons before ( a male and a female), and he isn't aggressive towards them, but doesn't seem interested in them at all. They're very curious about him, but he just scoots away. I don't think he knows what to make of his own kind.. He's not fond of (and has never had close interaction with) the cockatoo (who makes LOUD noises). IF he had ever been trained at any point, he no longer remembered by the time we got him and we were at square one with him (and a nasty attitude on top of being essentially feral:52.

I will say, after hanging around on this forum and reading about other birds, I *strongly suspect* he was parent-raised. He just doesn't have that "hand fed" tameness about him and I think he's too young to have been wild caught. I also think "Kiwi" was NOT his original name. He's never really responded to it. Since he doesn't speak, he can't tell us his name either, so we've just stuck with Kiwi as not to confuse him more. And thats about all we know about Kiwi...

Now all the experts can psychoanalyze the little guy up!

 

[Taw5106]

He owes you now. Make sure he understands there is a care price. I have the opposite issue, all pets love me, not Husband. Have you thought about getting a new "friend" that loves you beyond compare, shows them what they are missing, encouraging, and increasing interest acceptance?