Really Bad Bite!

[mgood01]

Lots of unpleasant drama last night, and I'm looking for an interpretation of what happened, and maybe a little advice.

Zoey, my 7yo BFA female bit my boyfriend on the nose really badly. He's furious, and we came close to having Amazon friccassee for dinner. We've been trying to get her to sing a song, mainly by me singing it to her while rocking back and forth in front of her. My partner did it, and she lunged at him, locking onto his nose and almost piercing it. Lots of blood and flapping of wings. He's furious with her, and I think a little hurt (his feelings, not just his nose).

This is his bird, he's had her since she was a baby. I arrived on the scene about a year and a half ago, and she immediately took a liking to me. I'm an opera singer, and she seemed to be really turned on by the sounds I was making. If only I could find a conductor who felt the same way.

Anyway, eventually it got to the point where she wouldn't let anyone touch her except for me, not even the guy who has been her best friend for her entire life, who she goes after with a vengeance. I, on the other hand, seem to be able to do pretty much anything to her, and she absolutely will not bite me. Has never even tried. Didn't realize birds were so fickle. His feelings are very hurt, thank god for our cockatiel, Cujo, who is the sweetest thing and adores Randy.

Now, I know amazons can be sort of weird about biting the person they really love, but he's not buying that. I've gotten more than I bargained for in this. I love her, but it's kind of a drag being completely responsible for the mobility of this bird. I'm also trying to figure out if this is just jealousy on her part, if she has really completely bonded with me and decided she's done with my boyfriend. So hard to figure out birdie psychology, but I'd love to hear if anyone else has had similar experiences.

[mgood01]

hard to believe she'd hurt a fly!

[The Outlaw]

Well, the GOOD news is she really likes you. The BAD news is that he's probably never gonna have a special relationship with her again. You are the recipient of the famous amazon crush. And, knowing that you are an opera singer, it makes perfect sense. Amazons ARE the opera singers of the parrot world. When you sing, she understands you completely. Are you certain its a female? If its a male, brace yourself. They can be EXTREMELY difficult once they reach maturity and an 8 year old amazon is fully mature.

He's gonna have to watch her body language very carefully and I suggest that you not go near her when he is handling her. I could be dangerous for your boyfried. They are jealous lovers. The birds, that is.

[Casa Amazona]

Another aspect of your situation is Amazon overload. It sounds to me as though Zoey was really excited by your singing and swaying back and forth. I have a female DYH who also gets that way. When someone she likes (especially my sister) sings to her, she gets so very excited that she goes into overload. When that happens she becomes irrational and anyone who gets close enough to her (with the probable exception of the object of her affection) stands to get a pretty good nip. It isn't intentional on her part, but is part of her being in overload.

I would suggest your boyfriend refrain from getting near Zoey when she's stirred up like this. If he wants to interact with her, it would be far better for him to do so in a quite setting, possibly while you aren't in the room. Doing so will give him a chance to assess the relationship and see for sure whether she's taken a dislike to him or if she's merely exhibiting excitement at your presence/singing.

BTW, I'm not Joanie Doss (but another Joanie), so don't take this as expert advice but merely some observations from someone who lives with some of these wonderful green beings.

[Rue]

...yes, have him stay away from her when she's so excited...wait for her to calm down...

My green-cheeked Amazon gets worked up too...if the kids or hubby gets too close to her - she'll 'bite' me in her excitement (never hard, but I expect I'll get nailed one day, sooner or later)...

btw...Joanie? Have you posted recent pics of Adora and Lope? Ever and I would love to see some (and of the others of course!).