Questions about Stanley

[Katie and Stanley's Mom]

Howdy!
I have a few questions about Stanley...my DYHA. He is about 6 months old and I have had him for about 4 weeks. He is a wonderful bird. He lets me pet him and snuggle with him and steps up when told etc. He has not bitten me hard yet but is trying out his beak strength but is easily diverted or distracted into doing something else. I am having to give him anti-biotics 2 xs per day and we have worked out a routine due to a slight upper respitory infection. I have a 3 year old Grey that is super...has been super since her coming home with me at 12 weeks and is the love of my life! Here are my questions: What can I do to keep Stanley as sweet as he is now? After doing some reading it seems that people say they get very moody and aggressive. They said that was a possibility with my CAG and it hasn't happened yet...do all DYHA get moody and aggressive?? Is sex a big deal? In other words...I am not sure if Stanley is a male or for that matter I am not sure that Katie my CAG is a female...should I have them sexed so I know what I might need to worry about with Stanley? I want to pre-vent any behavior that isn't desirable as much as possible. I have read a lot but reading my birds seem to work equally as well! I would appreciate any advice about what to do or what not to do to keep Stanley sweet and lovable! Right now I could not ask for more...we are in love!!!
Thanks so much in advance!
Deanna

[Beaks]

It all depends how you treat him and teach him.

Birds dont just get up one day and decide to be mean and hormones only play a small part in their attitude when they reach breeding age.

John

[Willow]

I would definitely sex him or her so you know what to expect. Male amazons, especially DYH's can be hard to handle. Doesn't mean they will - but they can. Females less likely. You wouldn't see changes until sexual maturity, though. Do teach him/her to step up on a perch as well as your hand, so you can use that if/when you need to. Best of luck!

[Beaks]

You dont have to do anything except learn body language so when they tell you to go away you dont get stupid and try to snuggle them.

Birds are like people they all dont like to be handled all day even if they are good sweet birds.

Just teach your bird that you are the boss and show you respect him by letting him be himself instead of ruining him by trying to make him into something that he is not.

As far as sexing goes, it doesnt matter unless you are going to breed because all zones are different and sex has very little to do with temperment(that is taken care of by genetics and experience)

John

[Katie and Stanley's Mom]

Thanks for the advice guys! Stanley seems to do whatever I ask as soon as he figures out what it is I am asking him to do. I think he is really beginning to trust me! I easily can get him to step up or down on anything so I will continue to work with a stick so he remains used to it.

John, you mentioned body language. I have read that the puffing out, fanning of tail and pinning of eyes is a sure sign in Zons you're gonna get bit...anything else I should be looking for? At present if I am doing something he is not comfortable with, he takes my hand or finger gently in his beak and moves it away. Sometimes it seems I can push it and then he will realize whatever I am doing might be a good thing so he allows it. Sometimes not. I try to respect his boundaries and yet I want to set them :).

I am not going to breed Stanley or Katie but it may be a fun thing just to know. I may take him down to Bracken's for a sex test if it isn't too much $.

Thanks everyone for the advice...I am just gonna keep on keepin on and worry about aggression when and if it ever arises then. Katie just gets more loving during her hormonal changees...I'll just hope Stanley does the same.
Deanna

[Willow]

I think knowing the sex is very important. If you know you have a male, you can rule out egg porblems when they start acting ill. If you don't know their sex, you have to consider that possiblity which may waste valuable time. That's just my thoughts. Plus, I really do like to know, for me! ;~)

[Myst]

I am owned by a dbl yellow Magna Amazon. He tolerates my other half, dislikes my kids over all, but is my protector to the end. Found out after I got him, the reason he was for sale is because he liked the woman and terrorized her kids. He is my shadow and protector.

Over all the way you socialize him will make a big difference in how he is down the road. Have him used to different people and situations, and enforce the step up command. Sunshine is my sunshine and my shadow. He is about 7 or 8 years, he goes through the harmonal stage in which I just let him decided (as long as it is safe for all) I thought he was sick and going to die on me one day - checked with the vet and described his actions - well lets day he was having fun and the sounds were sexual pleasure. My vet and I laughed over that one (she has a yellow headed amazon)

Amazons are over all great birds, they often tend to have one or 2 favorite people. Harmones become an issue after maturity about 3 years old, and it is an issue only if you let it be. Mine has just pushed his head under my hand as I am typing - his way of saying "scratch my head mom"