Aggression, please,please help!

[Vee]

I wrote in about a week ago asking for help with Habib and his sudden aggression. Well, inspite of all the good advice Liza B gave me I find he is becoming worse. When he is out and I have anything in my hand he attacks me. He flew at me this afternoon and bit me in the neck and the side of my face. I am at my wits end at the moment and it's getting to the stage where I don't want to let him out his cage anymore. It all started with him trying to attack me through the bars of his cage. I have tried talking softly to him and have changed nothing around the house so I can't understand why he is doing this all of a sudden. He has always been calm around me and I am the only one who can handle him in my household. Can anyone help me please!!!!!

[Greycloud]

Vee, since things have gotten worse maybe you should contact Maggie Wright. She is an expert on greys. She was on live web last night so I don't know if you tuned in. She is very kind and would gladly help you. hHere is her site link
Maggie Wright Site
Please make sure Habib has plenty of toys, foot toys, and foraging toys. Rotate them weekly. Greys are extremely smart and the reward from foraging toys is very exciting for them. Get down to his level by his cage and look out around the room. Is there anything that could be stressing him? A window, where he sees too much movement, a mirror, peoples pics. Try offering chamomille decaffienated tea. This has a natural calming effect. Good luck. Judy

[Vee]

Hi Judy, thanks for your advice. I have actually checked the room but can see nothing that could be upsetting him. He doesn't have to be in any particular room to just suddenly fly at me. Someone suggested 'Avicalm' to see if it helps. I am just worried that this behaviour will get worse. He has lots of toys which I rotate every 3-4 days and he has lots of freedom. I allow him to move around the house from room to room for at least 6-7 hours a day. This evening when I approached his cage he was all sweet again and wanted scratches. I will try him on the chamomille decaf tea and see if that helps. Thanks again

[Lisa B]

hi Vee, sorry that things arent progressing as we had hoped. Did you change your hair style or color recently?
Its noted with some greys, that they do not like objects we may have in our hands. Sydney does not like Phones, or remote controls.
Was he clipped when he first came to you?
If you would like to talk to Maggie, I can put you in contact with her. Also I will bring this up within my consulting group to see if there are other thoughts on this idea as well.

pm me or email me if you wish.

[Vee]

Hi Lisa, thanks for all you help. No, I haven't changed hair/colour or anything that I can think of. As I explained to you before he started trying to attack me when he was in the cage. I still let him out during the day and he sings and talks but will all of a sudden fly at me. This evening he was the 'old Habib' again, wanting to be scratched and loved. I just can't figure out what is triggering his attacks on me. Please, please let me know if you hear of anyone having the same problem. If anyone knows Habib it's probably you, as you have talked me through for 18 months I have had him. Thanks Lisa I appreciate all your help.

[Lisa B]

Originally Posted by Vee

If anyone knows Habib it's probably you, as you have talked me through for 18 months I have had him. Thanks Lisa I appreciate all your help.

and i'll always be here for you both!
Let me pose the last few conversations about Habib to my colleauges, and get back at you with combined thoughts. I will include Maggie as well in on it to get her thoughts.

[MaryG1959]

You are in good hands with Lisa as she's one of the best with regards to african greys.

The only thing I can add is try some "chammomile tea" warm and a bit diluted. It helps my birds stay calm and they enjoy the warm liquid going down their throats. Just make sure it isn't too warm when you provide it.

MC

[Tobysmom]

i can only tell you what mary has said that u are in good hands with lisa she has helped me alot with potter who didnt like to come out of his cage

[Vee]

I am pleased to let you all know that between Lisa and I, we think we have solved the problem of Habib's aggressive behaviour. After posting my problem on BB, Lisa asked me a few questions and one was, "What is in my hand when Habib attacks me?" After thinking about it for a while I remembered that Habib attacked my daughter a few months ago when she had a red Sparberry tin in her hand. The morning Habib attacked me I had a red Coke tin in my hand. I decided to do a test run this morning by placing a coke tin on the kitchen counter before Habib came into the kitchen. True enough he came in and saw the coke tin and immediately flew at the tin and attacked it. The tin fell onto the floor and he flew down and continued attacking it. All coke tins and soda tins have been removed from the kitchen and placed in a cupboard where he can't see them. I am not sure if it's because the tins are red or if it's just the tins he doesn't like. Today he has been so much better and not shown any aggression towards me. I was even able to move his cage around with him in it and he never tried to bite me!! I am just so grateful to Lisa, she has been my pillar from the day I took Habib into my home. Fancy a coke tin setting Habib off!! Thought I would let you all know!!! Thanks you to everyone who gave advice, I truly appreciate it.

[Lisa B]

I'm glad we were able to figure it out. Something as simple can set them off.
In fact, my dads grey hated red coke cans as well. I learned the hard way, with lots of trial runs.
So I knew the attacks werent personal from Habib, but an action to a reaction.(its usually a reaction to an action**lol** but the cans not moving!)
See, thats something ya cant learn in a class or book. Sometimes hands on is the best!
Thanks for the update, and know, I'm always here for ya Vee.