When do macaws get over their juvenile stage?

[1Spongebob]

My GW turned 3 in March. I've had him since Dec. 90% of the time he is awesome. But the other time he's lungey & bitey. He will climb on my chair & stab me in the head with his top beak. I have no clue how to bite pressure train. My Harlequin is all kisses & loves & rainbows from day 1 (She was 14 when I got her). The GW is out from 6:30 am til bedtime. Will he grow out of this like a puppy who chews?

 

[MonicaMc]

He'll only grow out of it, if you train him.

If he's lunging, you may need to change or slow your approach.

If he's biting, then avoid the bites by figuring out why he's biting, removing your flesh before he bites and redirecting his attention.


Many parrots are problem parrots because they've never been given any direction. They aren't taught to play with toys, aren't taught to forage, aren't taught new behaviors, they aren't socialized (with humans and other pets/birds), etc. They're bored or they don't understand what it is that you want them to do.

It is up to us to bridge that gap and learn how to enrich their lives. Learn to work with them rather than against them. It results in a happier parrot and human!

 

[1Spongebob]

I think it's more of a playful thing that gets too rough. His original owner (that he was bonded to) would beak wrestle, etc. He luunges when I walk by to get something from kitchen. I think he's just trying to get attention or wanting to be picked up. I'm going to research bite pressure training. He doesn't bite nearly as hard as he could.

 

[GaleriaGila]

I have been acquainted with two macaws who reached sexual maturity and required extra training and patience at that point. For the green wing, it happened at about 6 years, and for the blue & gold, it was about 4. The gw was a male... not sure about the female. From what I've read, those ages are fairly typical.

I second Monica's remarks!

 

[chris-md]

Just wondering how long does it take for them to grow out of it, on average? I'm sure to an extent it's an individual thing but are we talking on the order of years?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Chris, I bet it depends on the skill/vigilance of the handler. Effects due to sexual maturity, in my opinion, are fairly lingering, as they are hormonally-triggered. I can tell you, my sweet, shy, retiring, cuddly little Patagonian became a strutting, demanding little rooster at 2 and a half years of age!!!!

 

[MonicaMc]

Lunging is a self rewarding behavior. IMO, it should not be encouraged, as it can lead to further aggression and biting.


If you can, it's better to avoid it, by changing your approach.

 

[Birdman666]

With a greenwing it's generally around 5-7...

The hard hormonal age comes the 7-12 year old range.

After that they generally mellow out considerably....

Lunging can attention getting, or play, or defensive, or testing...

I have posts on how to bite pressure train. And my big beaks post also has a fair amount of info on it as well.