Please help!!

[mountain]

A number of years ago a friend of ours found a pet Quaker in their backyard. Unable to keep it, my family took it in. It was relativity friendly and took a bit to adjust, but everything was fine.
It had a tag on its foot, and we were able to track down the breeder. However we were never able to locate the owner. So we kept it.

Now... over the years, it's turned into a really mean bird. It's attached to my mother, but attacks anyone else. My father and I have done nothing to upset it, it just hates us! Constantly swooping, biting, screaming at us...
I don't dislike the bird, but I just want it to stop attacking I can see that it's also stressed out, but what can I do??

 

[ShellyBorg]

If the Quaker is attacking you guys by air you need to trim its wings. I am a firm believer in flighted birds but human safety is number 1.

Once it is trimmed then its time for you and Dad to take over care of the bird. Mom gets to change papers and clean cage, you and Dad give treats and feed the bird. Sit near the cage and read and talk softly to it. Treat it like a brand new to you bird. Start doing some hands free clicker training and try some games of pee a boo.

Look up on U tube (How to tame a parrot) and other titles like that. Most are great and will let you see what works for you.
Good luck, its worth it.

 

[kq_fan]

Yes what I would do and it is very obvious that your mom is the one he chose (birds choose their mommy/daddy) so have her not do all the work and i understand how it is cleaning its ew but feed him water him and clean the cage. Give him millet spray you can find them in the pet stores there little seed sticks, cookies to them, and feed him with those from your hand and I agree with ShellyBorg to just sit by the cage and talk quietly to him. Hope that helps! Good luck!

 

[lilibet]

I understand that quakers are prone to overbonding. My son had one who was lovely as a baby but became progressively more aggressive as he got older. We got him a female companion when he was a year old but it didn't help. After my son moved away I was left as the only one who could handle the male or even put a hand inside their cage. He would actively chase down the children if they dared enter the same room when he was out of the cage. Even I got some nasty bites from him, usually if another family member came near me when he was with me.

Having other family members take over the care of the birds is a good idea, if you're willing to put in the time and your mother is willing to step back. It didn't work for us as my husband wasn't interested and the children had become terrified of the bird. We ended up rehoming the pair of quakers, and I understand that they're doing really well with their new family, who are aware of his history and know what to watch for.

 

[MonicaMc]

Your quaker has chosen your mother as his mate. Everyone else is potential intruders into the relationship. He needs to be socialized and trained. (doesn't require trimming his wings, but it may make it easier to work with him - likewise, it may not help to resolve the issue if his wings do grow back in)

Here are some good websites to start reading about hormones and training. There's a lot of information out there, so it's kind of hard to put it all in one post. You may also want to look into stationing as well as desensitizing birds to new things.

Natural Encounters, Inc.
Lara Joseph | An animal training, behavior, and enrichment specialist.
Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk
Living With Parrots Cage Free

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I agree with the above, he's over bonded with your mother becoming a one person bird. They think of a human as their mate, and protect them against I intruders. This will get worse during breeding season (winter-spring).

You and your father should look up touch training, and trick training with a clicker. This should be something that is special for you two, and your mom never participates. At least until he's well socialized again.

 

[Blueridge]

I agree with everyone else. He probably thinks of your mother as his mate. Quakers tend to become one person birds, but if you guys work with him daily then anything can change. Good luck!

*Squawks and flies away