New Member with GCC issues.

[Seles]

Hey all!

Just signed up here after reading through the posts for a few months off and on, and I have an ongoing issue with my GCC "Chief." I've had him since about July, so roughly 4 months. Hes a "rescue" bird, and from what the prior owners/foster parents told me, he has had about 3 owners (4 including me). His first owner died, and he was taken in by her sister who eventually couldn't handle him. Then he was placed into a "foster" home, who had roughly 5-6 birds, and I think he was fairly neglected there. I'm not sure how he was treated by his other owners overall, but my guess is not so hot. My guess is hes 3-4 years old, but I get the feeling he might be younger.

So anyway, our issues: He was perfect for about 3 weeks after I got him. Very sweet, wanting lots of attention from everyone in my family, would never bite hard etc, just the picture of a perfect companion birdie. However, one day he just did a 180, started chomping on me every chance he got. He would only let my partner get close to him to even let him out of the cage, whenever I would get close he would charge the bars. Now being a new bird owner, I asked for help from a friend of mine who has owned birds for years. She informed me it sounded like hormones, and these things just happen. I stepped back and just talked to him while he was in his cage, and after about 2 weeks he finally let me get him out. However, soon after this he started to molt, inducing more frantic bites whenever he felt like it. This has been going on since about August, and its seriously to the point now where I'm apprehensive to let him out of his cage.

He is still molting, I give him baths once a week (when hes not being a butthead) which always seems to help. But, hes still really unpredictable. Just now he chomped on my ear (gaaaaaah!!!!!!) and its everything I can do to not scream when he does (I know its bad to "reinforce" the bad behavior by yelling). I just put him in his cage and leave him be a while.

So now that that story is out of the way, what do you guys think? Is this a prolonged hormone issue (the prior owners claimed he was DNA sexed, but I'm apprehensive to believe them, they honestly didn't know much about his behavior at all it turns out)? A trust problem because of how many times hes changed hands? Molting causing him to be a brat? Or is this characteristic of a young bird just trying to "rule the roost" so to speak? Like I said before, I would not doubt if hes younger than 3 or 4.

I love the lil guy to death, but I would just like some input from more experienced birdie owners. I'm in this for the long haul, but there are some days when I just don't want to let him out of his cage lol.

Thanks for any information you can provide!!

Seles

 

[handfedhandfuls]

I would say hormones and/or he is now comfortable with his surroundings. When you first brought him home, he felt vulnerable due to the new SCARY setting.. But now that he is used to it, and his new cage, he is starting to try and run the household. I laugh when I read this because I know exactly how he is acting lol, I have a house full of GCCs. Sounds like he is cage aggressive, try leaving the cage door open and allowing him to come out on his own. Will he come out eventually. Also, maybe try stick training, and get him to step up onto a stick to take him out of the cage. I know they only have little beaks but MAN they can make it hurt! Do not keep him in the cage because you don't want to deal with him, it will only make the issue worse. Give him time and space, and be sure to give him attention and TRAINING when he is not in one of his moods.

 

[Seles]

I learned quick he did not like me putting my hand in his cage haha . I always let him come out on his own to avoid the territorial chomps I'll get. He will let me handle him, steps up well etc, but if I try to get him to do something he doesn't want, he'll either ignore me and do whatever, or the biting begins.

The problem with trying to train him right now is he always seems to be moody. If I step wrong, or do something slightly out of whack with what he wants, chomp. Yet, at the same time, its so unpredictable sometimes. Just today I had him around with me making my bed (he loves being apart of everyday chores), and he got me really good on my ear. I know I probably shouldn't let him on my shoulder because I'm ultimately inviting this form of behavior, however, thats where hes always liked to be.

I'm really hoping its hormones, and this molt thats causing most of the problems. He was such a great bird when I first got him.

 

[handfedhandfuls]

Shoulders are okay for small birds like him so don't worry about that, except for the ear chomps! Definitely could be the molt as well, try giving baths more, maybe 3-4 a week while he is molting and see if that helps.
Keep working on him, even if it isn't the hormones or the molt, he will likely come around if you spend time with him. Keep him on your shoulder when you are home and maybe he will continue to bond to you.

 

[legal_eagle]

Biting is usually out of fear ... if you could pinpoint something that is making him afraid you might be able to minimize the biting.

I have never noticed any dramatic and aggressive change in my bird's behavior during mating season, which is beginning now, so I'm skeptical that "hormones" is what's happening here. When people say "hormones" it's usually just a way of saying "I don't know."

 

[Seles]

I highly doubt hes biting out of fear. Hes always on my shoulder while doing stuff, like chores and what not. And I'm very careful about moving too fast. His bite today wasn't just a quick, frightened bite. It was a chomp and chew. He didn't let go until I seperated him with my hand.

I have heard a lot of people have hormonal issues with birds, so I guess you're lucky

 

[handfedhandfuls]

Sorry but hormones is a "thing". Birds can sense breeding season and it makes them anxious/frustrated if they're not set up for breeding, even if they are pet birds! Also, "hormones" can refer to sexual maturity.. If you think your bird may be young still... He may still be going through his "teenage years". No one is nice during these years

 

[MamaFuzz]

It could be he never learned what is acceptable to do with his beak. I had to teach my GCC to be gentle especially when preening my ears. At times I wondered if he was trying to yank them off thinking they didn't belong. When he would bite hard I would turn my head, put my hand up as a barrier, and say no. If he kept it up I would just put him on his play stand for a bit.
Also, if you put him down after he bites, watch what he does. My boy tends to get nippy when he wants a snack. I found this out by putting him back in his cage (door open) and watching him make a beeline for his food. You boy is probably acting just like a tired toddler. Knows he wants something but can't communicate it so here comes trouble. Learn his habits, set boundaries, & be patient.

 

[Kalidasa]

It sounds so much like the early days with my bird. Those few weeks were the honeymoon period. Just don't take it personally, the bird has been thru a lot. Hormones, molting, a new home is all a bit overwhelming for you both. I'm sure things will get better, this stage passes once everyone knows their boundaries. I had to wear a scarf around my neck while he was on my shoulder until he learned my neck wasn't a chew toy. You'll get past this.

 

[JasmineGCC]

My GCC Jasmine turned overnight into a biting monster at approx a year old. Clearly hormonal. So I started getting her out with my hands withdrawn into sleeves - she only saw hands when they offered her a treat - she steps up onto my arm. And I feed her lots of treats (pine nuts). Now at 18 months she is loads better and has stopped biting me. I also learnt to read her body language better and give her space on a grumpy day. She also touches the end of a chopstick for treats - can do this from outside cage so it's safe from bites. Good luck!

 

[Seles]

Thanks all for the input! Glad to know these issues are more universal than unique . Chief has been doing a little better over the past two days, but I've been giving him more free reign of his room (I would open up the house to him, but I have two pitbulls who wouldn't hurt a fly, but are not suitable to play with a bird ) when I'm home but don't have time to give him my undivided attention. This seems to help, I think he likes to spread his wings and fly from point to point.

I'll keep working with him, and employ some of the strategies discussed above. Thanks all!

 

[Sc0tt]

IDK how I feel about everyone saying don't reinforce negative behaviour (biting) with noise or anything. Regardless what people say about being owned by their parrots, he is still YOUR pet. Whenever Casper will bite me more than a nip (hasn't happened in about 6mo now *knock on wood*) He will immediately be reprimanded for it. He knows my stern voice and when I'm not happy with him. They need to know things that aren't acceptable aren't acceptable. For some reason I always thought that putting them back into their cage after they bite or something is also bad, because it is teaching them that they can bite you to get away from you.

Molting definitely plays a huge role and can turn Casper from loving to demonic in no time also. Definitely a very hormonal time for birds!

I also only have one parrot but he was in bad shape when I got him off CL and is now perfect, so take my advice however you see fit! Good luck!

 

[MonicaMc]

I prefer being proactive and trying to avoid nips or getting bitten by trying to read and understand the bird so as to not force them to bite. The only bite that can't be rewarded is the one that never occurs!



http://www.behaviorworks.org/flashvideos/Noah Dupuis.mp4