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[Raz]

.

 

[HeatherG]

He’s jealous of them or protecting you or the female bird.

If your mom and dad were also birds, when he flew at them, they’d fly away. He wouldn’t actually connect. But they’re big slow humans, so your conure is connecting.

You need to let him know that this is not ok and maybe put him in his cage for a time out if he’s aggressive to them. Clipping his wings would keep your parents safe, too, though wing clipping has its downsides.

 

[Birb321]

Reasons why you bird may be attacking your mom and others
1. You bird my be very picky with people (your bird may just like you or they may like or dislike something specific about someone)
2. you could be hormonally stimulating your bird (like petting it on its back, using toys that can hormonally stimulate your bird) mean your bird will think that you are there mate.
3. You bird could of have a traumatic past which could be possible depending on the situation
4. Your bird may not be tame with other people, you’ve could of only tamed your bird with yourself.
I will put some videos down to help

I hope this helps

 

[wrench13]

Time outs have to be done correctly if they are going to be effective and not backfire on you. Putting him in his cage is not a good way - it teaches him that if he bites he gets to go back to his cage. Better, put him on a nearby chair back or neutral place and everyone turn thier backs to him for one minute. no peeking no talking about him. Of course this works much better if he cant just fly away , honestly, this level of aggression may warrant a light clip (temporary) until this lesson is learned. Not as a punishment, just as a way of controlling his agro. Letting it continue only re-enforces his actions. PLease dont: Yell at him, spray water at him, physically touch him, like tapping hard on the head. None of these will work and only ramp up the agro.

 

[HeatherG]

I thought about time outs on a chair back or perch but since the bird is flighted that wouldn’t work.

I would clip the bird’s wings if he’s attacking people’s faces. Seems to me this bird needs a serious check on his aggression.

 

[LeeC]

Clipping wings can cause injury (indirectly), health problems, and new behavioral problems. It is not to be taken lightly, or used as an easy, quick-fix. That may seem like an easy thing to say when I'm not the one with the attack parrot. Well, ...

Just over a year ago, I adopted a Senegal who has a multi-home history of attacking "his human". He comes for my face, or head, every single time. He got my tragus once, early on, and nearly severed it off. He is a very good flier. It never occurred to me to clip his wings--not once.

I gave him an aviary in my house, by converting my open dining area. (So he could have some liberty; and, I could have some safety.) He has a Senegal buddy in there with him. (He is super-friendly to parrots.) They can see the rest of the goings on at all times, too, through the aviary mesh. I have to go in there countless times per day, to tend to them and the room. With the help of his previous keeper and two professional avian behavior specialists, Fletcher and I worked out a system that serves us well, but he still gets urges to come at me.

Before:

After:

(That photo was taken to show the lower-profile ceiling light, with different light-temperature bulbs.)

They key is to manage the parrot's opportunities. Letting the attempt happen is likely quite reinforcing, and there is little that can be done after to discourage it. The best applied-behavior research we have shows that there is about a 4-second window after a behavior where we can reinforce it or punish it. Under the very best circumstances, with a highly skilled trainer, you might, with some luck, get ten seconds. Can we really get a parrot back in the cage within 4 seconds after an attack? No. Therefore, doing so is not associated, in their mind, as a punishment for that attack. The connection is lost. Focus on prevention. Reading body language; keeping a really close eye; minimizing opportunity; etc. Ideally, consult with a behavior specialist for your particular circumstances.

[Edit] For those who are curious about our "system", I put on a special hat, to signal to Fletcher what is about to happen (and to protect my head and face a bit), and I enter with an 18"-long dowel, presenting it for him to step up. That is the moment of truth. LOL. I then move him to the big, stainless-steel cage, and transfer him to the perch mounted to the inside of the front door. He immediately gets head and neck rubs―for longer than ten seconds―through the bars (at first) or over top the door (now as we build trust), as his reinforcer. It works great most of the time. The other times, he and I both get some excitement, but we just do it again as soon as the drama ends. :] I gently close the door, tend to the room, then open the cage door, and show myself to the aviary door.

 

[HeatherG]

If the poster can manage those things I would say “go for it!” I was just wondering how much ability and freedom they have to do those things as I thought this was a very young owner. I can imagine mom and dad saying “this has to stop now or the bird goes” which is why I thought of clipping wings.

Eyes are important and not replaceable.

 

[LeeC]

I love them a lot, and don’t wanna use the thaw as a punishment ,

Hi, @Raz. I am sorry to hear that you are having attack-parrot problems. What is "the thaw"?

When reading your post, I could not tell at points if she/her referred to your mom or the female Jenday. You said, "they don't have a bond" a couple of times. Do you mean the male and female Jenday or your mom and the male Jenday?

 

[LeeC]

If the poster can manage those things I would say “go for it!” I was just wondering how much ability and freedom they have to do those things as I thought this was a very young owner. I can imagine mom and dad saying “this has to stop now or the bird goes” which is why I thought of clipping wings.

Eyes are important and not replaceable.

My situation definitely has some key differences. There is at least one interesting similarity, though. So, the male, attack-Senegal is Fletcher. Georgia is my ace-flier, female Senegal. Fletcher shares the dining-room aviary with Charlie, a male Senegal.

My first full month with Fletcher, I gave him full liberty within the aviary. I entered and left as needed, with no attacks, for a full month. And then, one day, he came at me. I think it took him that long to come to see the aviary, and/or his new friend Charlie, and/or the apple of his eye Georgia as his "territory". After that, I was the enemy. He saw Georgia landing on me, through his aviary mesh. He saw me petting Charlie. He endured my entering his aviary to clean, and provide food/water.

Having other parrots and other people involved sure adds complexity in troubleshooting.

Agreed--eyes are extremely important. I would limit the attack-parrot's opportunities to attack eyes, while still letting him out and closely observing him to try to figure out what is prompting the attacks.

In my case, knowing (strongly suspecting) why Fletcher attacks does not simply solve the problem. I do know to be mindful of "his" territory; yet, I still have to violate his preferences. I just cage him, briefly, so I can do so safely. My relationship with him has progressed; but, a year later, and I still have to cage him to ensure my safety. At least a few times a week, sometimes a few times in a day, I go it with hat on and dowel in hand, but I never ask him to step up. I watch him closely, and do what I need to do. If he comes at me, the dowel is already vertical, in front of my face. He will "touch off" and fly away. I then go have him step up, and do the routine.

 

[wrench13]

Not everyone is so fortunate to be able to build an indoor aviary, considering space. cost and perhaps the landlord (who usually take a very dim view to unauthorized modification to their rental property). And I agree, close observation of the parrot pre-attack can yield hints of what is the trigger and trying to avoid that. However - as Heather pointed out, Moms and Dads take a very big objection to pets that randomly attack them and their kids, so I feel that in this instance, time is of the essence in getting control of this kamikaze parrot. THat means a MILD clip. Have your vet do whats known as a show clip. the very outermost feathers are left alone, and a few of the inner primaries are trimmed back. THis should allow your parrot to glide to the floor and not gain altitude. Too short and he will drop like a stone and that is definitely not what you want.

 

[LeeC]

Not everyone is so fortunate to be able to build an indoor aviary, considering space. cost and perhaps the landlord (who usually take a very dim view to unauthorized modification to their rental property). And I agree, close observation of the parrot pre-attack can yield hints of what is the trigger and trying to avoid that. However - as Heather pointed out, Moms and Dads take a very big objection to pets that randomly attack them and their kids, so I feel that in this instance, time is of the essence in getting control of this kamikaze parrot. THat means a MILD clip. Have your vet do whats known as a show clip. the very outermost feathers are left alone, and a few of the inner primaries are trimmed back. THis should allow your parrot to glide to the floor and not gain altitude. Too short and he will drop like a stone and that is definitely not what you want.

@wrench13, are you saying I should have asked my landlord before I did that conversion. ;]

Yes, I give thanks daily for being as fortunate as I am. (And, I work hard to stay so fortunate.) I got this house thinking family gatherings, which lasted about 3 years. After that subsided, a Timneh "picked me" on my first visit to the local parrot rescue, and I thought, "He could make use of the vast empty space in my house." :]

I think wing trimming has extremely limited use, and I am not convinced this is a good case for it. It can give a false sense of security, to the person, and it can make the parrot more fearful. Nothing is free. I've seen parrots with short clips make quite a flight if they really want to (fear). It is a serious situation though. I know too well the "flash" of an attack parrot coming at my face; it happens so fast, even when you think you're expecting it.

Building trust through cage bars or aviary mesh is good. Target training is a good trust-builder, too. My attack-Senegal (Fletcher) was abused at his first home, but I don't know the details, and I don't think I would want to. However, he totally trusts me through bars and mesh. I suppose he feels safe. I can pet him through bars/mesh and he leans into it. He will sit on a mesh-mounted perch and press his head against it if I come near, prompting me to pet him. If I open the aviary door, he may just come out after me, when he realizes I'm not paying full attention. Perplexing.

The main theories are "resource-guarding" (environment, food, his pal Charlie, and his girl Georgia) and "PTSD". He flies around frantically over the slightest sounds sometimes, if they were unfamiliar to him or unexpected. One of my main points, that I did not make crystal clearly is that I only engage with him when I can give him my full attention. It is just to risky to let him out of the aviary, or go into the aviary, otherwise. It's not just the risk of him hurting me--but, the risk of reinforcing the attacks by letting him try, especially if he lands on me. Prevention compounds for us. I can earn the ability to tend to the room without caging him. Letting him try to attack me is an even bigger setback for us.

 

[LeeC]

The problem is that it’s not even flying, he’ll sit at the edge of the bed and run to attack, but I’ll contract my vet about it

Have the vet clip his legs, too. (Being facetious to reinforce my stance on wing clipping )

 

[HeatherG]

Well, maybe your parents should wear safety glasses or sunglasses until you get your birds trained to stop biting at their faces. It’s cheaper than building your birds their own aviary.

 

[LeeC]

Absolutely, taking away the one thing that makes a bird a bird is cruel. It’s my job as his owner to train him.

I agree wholeheartedly, @Raz, about taking away flight from a bird.

I generally agree with it being our job to train them, but I have learned that is not entirely the case. I would add that it is my job to "manage their environment" and to train them. Some of the biggest progress I've made with troubled, rehomed parrots has come from managing the environment, versus training them. I have come to view training as the second or third resort. I find that to be empowering, because training can be challenging.

It takes time to train them, and even more time to get the desired result, if we get it all. With managing the environment, we can get immediate results, or nearly so. The caveat is to not let it end there, if appropriate. Adding that aviary mesh-wall to my dining room was managing the environment--however, it does not fully solve the real problem. It is a step along the way.

Trust-building is huge, and learning not to erode trust is, too. For my Timneh, he is extremely dish-territorial. I can erode trust by putting his favorite treat (a sea-salted, organic, macadamia nut) into his food dish if he sees me do it. I can hand him that same macadamia nut, and he will take it gently from my fingers. Parrots are complex! :]

 

[LeeC]

Well, maybe your parents should wear safety glasses or sunglasses until you get your birds trained to stop biting at their faces. It’s cheaper than building them their own aviary.

@Raz, please don't put your parents in their own aviary. Be like me, and make the entire house one big aviary for everyone to share. (Fletcher's aviary within the whole-house aviary is a temporary exception.)

 

[Rolly]

This is a recap:
My male jenday attacks my mom for no reason. He’s flown from one room to another to attack her, dived from walls and tried to attack her eyes and hands. Additionally, he’s tried to bite my dads eyes. I thought it was because of me, so I experimented without me there, but kept a close eye. Today he attacked her 5 times. She’s covered in scratches and he’s drawn blood. Why does he do this? They don’t have a bond but she hasn’t done anything to make him hate her. She’s even given them treats.
Also , he’s got a habit to just bite and nip for no reason , he does it to me too sometimes, but never had hurt me that bad. Will this escalate?


I’ve got two jenday conures a male and a Female. For some reason my male jenday keeps attacking her. She doesn’t even do anything, she could be sitting down and he’d come swooping down front the wall to attack her. Today he flew from the other room just to attack her. It’s true that they don’t have a bond, but she occasionally gives them a treat. Before it was because I was there, but now he’s attacked without me being there. ( Leaving for a split second, I’d never leave my birds unattended! ). She’s terrified that he will hurt her eyes, which he’s shown to do. ( he pounced directly on her eyes once, and ran to attack my dad’s eye as well. I love them a lot, and don’t wanna use the thaw as a punishment , so my only option it to shield her using my arm (today I had to use a book! )

Try to pay attention to what is happening right before he attacks. There might be some triggers that makes him attack. Also, some birds may give out some kind of body language before attacking like a cat hissing or dog growling. My bird gets puffy and when I see him get puffy, I just walk away because 1) I don't want to get bit and 2) he usually calms right down.

 

[MykaMom]

Not everyone is so fortunate to be able to build an indoor aviary, considering space. cost and perhaps the landlord (who usually take a very dim view to unauthorized modification to their rental property). And I agree, close observation of the parrot pre-attack can yield hints of what is the trigger and trying to avoid that. However - as Heather pointed out, Moms and Dads take a very big objection to pets that randomly attack them and their kids, so I feel that in this instance, time is of the essence in getting control of this kamikaze parrot. THat means a MILD clip. Have your vet do whats known as a show clip. the very outermost feathers are left alone, and a few of the inner primaries are trimmed back. THis should allow your parrot to glide to the floor and not gain altitude. Too short and he will drop like a stone and that is definitely not what you want.

Exactly what I was just thinking. Glide control means safe landings. My first parrot(sun conure) was brought in clipped. He would drop like a stone from about 3.5' to the floor. Over time, he split his skin open and required stitches.

 

[Ryled1]

This is a recap:
My male jenday attacks my mom for no reason. He’s flown from one room to another to attack her, dived from walls and tried to attack her eyes and hands. Additionally, he’s tried to bite my dads eyes. I thought it was because of me, so I experimented without me there, but kept a close eye. Today he attacked her 5 times. She’s covered in scratches and he’s drawn blood. Why does he do this? They don’t have a bond but she hasn’t done anything to make him hate her. She’s even given them treats.
Also , he’s got a habit to just bite and nip for no reason , he does it to me too sometimes, but never had hurt me that bad. Will this escalate?


I’ve got two jenday conures a male and a Female. For some reason my male jenday keeps attacking her. She doesn’t even do anything, she could be sitting down and he’d come swooping down front the wall to attack her. Today he flew from the other room just to attack her. It’s true that they don’t have a bond, but she occasionally gives them a treat. Before it was because I was there, but now he’s attacked without me being there. ( Leaving for a split second, I’d never leave my birds unattended! ). She’s terrified that he will hurt her eyes, which he’s shown to do. ( he pounced directly on her eyes once, and ran to attack my dad’s eye as well. I love them a lot, and don’t wanna use the thaw as a punishment , so my only option it to shield her using my arm (today I had to use a book! )

First of all it is YOUR responsibility to control your bird. If the bird is allowed to fly, dive bomb people, tear at their face, scratch them, another bird, its all on you. 1 time is 1 time to many. Why are you letting it happen more than 1 time to more than 1 person? Why is that bird allowed to menace everyone???
That bird should be caged when anyone else is around period. For their safety and yours. If that bird were a dog,would you let the dog attack different people more than once? No you wouldn't.
It's obvious the bird needs to be brought down a peg. Wings clipped, and perches lowered in the cage. The bird should be safety in a cage when anyone visits. Period. No exceptions. No matter if they want to see the bird. It is too dangerous.

If the birds wings were clipped it knocks him down a peg so to speak. I have to do it to my bird. He gets very bossy to me and everyone in the household. When his wings are trimmed, he's a sweet bird. Some birds you have to do that to. I don't like getting bitten, so I do it. I can't have him flighted. Some birds you can, and other birds its a matter of safety.
I never let my bird go after anyone's feet if he is on the floor. Bad behavior is not allowed, back in the cage. If he really acts up screaming, I have a cage in another room. He gets a time out. I have to do that very rarely. He's only kept there for maybe an hour if that. Just until he calms down and stops screaming. Lights are always on in the room, and he has food and water. He wants to be with people, so he behaves. And he comes back out.
You have to treat a bird like a little kid.
You would have boundries to teach a child. Same with a bird. Your bird is running the show, you aren't. The bird should never be allowed flight because he is a mean dangerous bully. Too bad. Your bird is no angel and has already hurt people. He cannot be trusted out of the cage when people are there. You have allowed that bird to attack people. That is your fault after the 1st time.
Trim the wings and that will take some of the bully out of him. If he screems bloody murder when people are there, he goes in a time out cage. They learn to behave. No dark room ever. Food and water in cage. Not for hours, just until he calms down. He will learn if he doesn't behave, he doesn't see people. Do not let him out of his cage to hurt anyone. Some birds are 1 person birds. My African grey was.
Your bird is jealous and territorial and dangerous. You need to be the leader, and keep the bird and guests safe at all times! That is your job. I'm surprised anyone comes to your house after being attacked. The bird is not safe to fly ever. He lost that when he attacked another bird and family. In the wild another bird would put him in his place.
My bird is a very loving snuggly bird when his wings are trimmed. A joy to be around. When he is fully flighted, he is a bully, and I have gotten bitten really bad. I make sure he is fed before he is allowed out, and wings are always clipped. I got bitten when he was frustrated and hungry. A bird with a full crop is happy bird wanting to hang out and digest. You need to be the leader and take care of everyone including how your bird is allowed to behave. Because one day he will decide to attack you, if you don't get a handle on this.

 

[LeeC]

If the birds wings were clipped it knocks him down a peg so to speak. I have to do it to my bird. He gets very bossy to me and everyone in the household. When his wings are trimmed, he's a sweet bird. Some birds you have to do that to. I don't like getting bitten, so I do it. I can't have him flighted. Some birds you can, and other birds its a matter of safety.

@Ryled1 So, you're saying you took the easy way out and still have not addressed the underlying issue. Birds don't understand "pegs". They do know when the are punished (wing clipping) to the point of being vulnerable for their own safety. Nature gives them fight or flight. Take away flight, and they are left with fight. That runs counter to trying to get them to eliminate combative behavior.

In your dog analogy, how do you handicap the dog as you would your bird? You tie the biting dog's legs together so he can't walk? Or, do you work with the dog, or get a trainer to, to address the actual problem?

 

[Terry57]

First of all it is YOUR responsibility to control your bird. If the bird is allowed to fly, dive bomb people, tear at their face, scratch them, another bird, its all on you. 1 time is 1 time to many. Why are you letting it happen more than 1 time to more than 1 person? Why is that bird allowed to menace everyone???
That bird should be caged when anyone else is around period. For their safety and yours. If that bird were a dog,would you let the dog attack different people more than once? No you wouldn't.
It's obvious the bird needs to be brought down a peg. Wings clipped, and perches lowered in the cage. The bird should be safety in a cage when anyone visits. Period. No exceptions. No matter if they want to see the bird. It is too dangerous.

If the birds wings were clipped it knocks him down a peg so to speak. I have to do it to my bird. He gets very bossy to me and everyone in the household. When his wings are trimmed, he's a sweet bird. Some birds you have to do that to. I don't like getting bitten, so I do it. I can't have him flighted. Some birds you can, and other birds its a matter of safety.
I never let my bird go after anyone's feet if he is on the floor. Bad behavior is not allowed, back in the cage. If he really acts up screaming, I have a cage in another room. He gets a time out. I have to do that very rarely. He's only kept there for maybe an hour if that. Just until he calms down and stops screaming. Lights are always on in the room, and he has food and water. He wants to be with people, so he behaves. And he comes back out.
You have to treat a bird like a little kid.
You would have boundries to teach a child. Same with a bird. Your bird is running the show, you aren't. The bird should never be allowed flight because he is a mean dangerous bully. Too bad. Your bird is no angel and has already hurt people. He cannot be trusted out of the cage when people are there. You have allowed that bird to attack people. That is your fault after the 1st time.
Trim the wings and that will take some of the bully out of him. If he screems bloody murder when people are there, he goes in a time out cage. They learn to behave. No dark room ever. Food and water in cage. Not for hours, just until he calms down. He will learn if he doesn't behave, he doesn't see people. Do not let him out of his cage to hurt anyone. Some birds are 1 person birds. My African grey was.
Your bird is jealous and territorial and dangerous. You need to be the leader, and keep the bird and guests safe at all times! That is your job. I'm surprised anyone comes to your house after being attacked. The bird is not safe to fly ever. He lost that when he attacked another bird and family. In the wild another bird would put him in his place.
My bird is a very loving snuggly bird when his wings are trimmed. A joy to be around. When he is fully flighted, he is a bully, and I have gotten bitten really bad. I make sure he is fed before he is allowed out, and wings are always clipped. I got bitten when he was frustrated and hungry. A bird with a full crop is happy bird wanting to hang out and digest. You need to be the leader and take care of everyone including how your bird is allowed to behave. Because one day he will decide to attack you, if you don't get a handle on this.

I completely disagree with this attitude and advice.. Raz is here asking question about what they can do, and did not deserve all the criticism included in your post.

I also want to add that all my birds are not happy and ready when they have a full crop. Birds are individuals and should be treated as such.

While we say that parrots are like toddlers, they do not understand things in the same way that children do. Lowering his perches along with a clip just seems like a punishment that lasts for weeks/months, and they have no idea why they are being punished. I would suggest that you start learning your birds body language, because clipping is the easy way out and everything else should be tried first.

I also disagree with a bird staying clipped because they attacked someone.
I am not against clipping, it does have it's uses. I have had 2 of my birds divebomb me over and over when they were hormonal and draw blood on my face. I did a light clip on both.

Both stopped the behaviour after the clip once their wings grew back.
I will try anything I can before clipping, but I'm not going to have a bird who gets less out time because they attack when hormonal.

I also wanted to mention that unless birds legs grow back, comparing that to a wing clip is apples and oranges.

Raz, there is hope. You are asking questions in trying to figure out what to do, and I'm sure you will make the decision that is right for everyone.