Sudden change

[BruceV]

My Blue Crown has suddenly become more loving to me and sort of aggressive toward my girlfriend. We've had her (the bird, not the girlfriend) for about a month, but she's a 10 year old and is not handle-able at this point. That's something I'm working on. My girlfriend says she's been talking to her, getting up close, all the things that I do. But the bird will come to the side of the cage and give me kisses but lunges at my girlfriend if she tries. This has just started in the last few days. We moved her cage the other day, and that's when I noticed it. My girlfriend says it started a few days before that.

What, if anything, can we do? This is supposed to be "her" bird, as I'm getting a macaw this Friday (can't wait!). I told her that she needs to be the only one dealing with this bird and I'll back off. She seems to think that the bird just hates her. The bird will take treats from her hand occasionally, and if she has to come out of the cage for any reason, I'm the one catching her and making her uptight. So why the aggression toward her and love to me? I don't get it.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

I'm not totally sure why--maybe a prior owner that your bird was bonded with was male? maybe resembled you?
I think with continued attention and giving it time, the bird will come around. It has only been a month and if she isn't able to be handled yet, i think it will just take time. Just remind your gf that the bird doesn't hate her, but is probably scared and being defensive right now. It adds an extra layer of tension when you feel sad because the bird seems to hate you. Just stay positive and keep at it and i'll bet the bird comes around.

 

[BruceV]

I'll pass that on to her (the girlfriend, not the bird). She seemed a little better at lunch, just looked at her with her mouth open rather than lunging. Should I back off on my attempts to get close to this bird and let my gf be the one to get close?

 

[ruffledfeathers]

hm, maybe temporarily i would let her take the lead with the bird and see what the reaction is?? I wouldn't totally back off but maybe let her do the primary stuff for a while.

 

[BruceV]

LOL...like clean the cage? I'm afraid that will always be my job.

 

[BruceV]

I happened to recall that right after I misted her (the bird, not the gf) with a spray bottle is when she started to give me kisses. So I had my gf mist her and guess what? She got a kiss! Maybe she is thankful for the shower? I didn't know about misting your bird until just recently, so she had never gotten a shower before. Either way, good progress here.

 

[ruffledfeathers]

Cool!! Now that she has an "in" with the bird, it is definitely looking in the right direction.