Mean, or just needs more time?

[FoxersArtist]

Originally Posted by savagem13

So is the way to deal with this to respect his protectiveness instead of trying to break him of it? This won't allow him to think that he's in control in our relationship? Like I said--I've no experience with aggressive birds--this is all new to me and I could use advice.

I think you should assume that the cage aggression is just a part of who jasper is and accept it. I would still work with him on coming out with treats but I wouldn't force the issue. It's his cage and he is completely intitled to protect it. If he is used to stepping up onto a stick to come out, why not? My ringneck is super aggressive in her cage but a total love once sheis away from it and I feel no less about her for her protective nature.
-Anna

[nado]

hello ,i have an amazon also ,when he was little he use to bit me ,but things changed aftere he grew up .today i am the only person who can give him a bath or hold him at my hands . amazon birds r wild they need time to be habituated and when they r little they r more agressive.so jaspere need more time and more attention .remembere they r like children ,they can get jalous of othere birds or members of family.also they cannot be habituated to more than one person.finally all the owners of parrots have pass through the experience of being bit.

[savagem13]

Hi everyone,

Thank you to everyone who took the time to advise me on Jasper. I've decided to let everyone who is willing to pay the fee I'm asking come and meet him. If one of them seems perfect for him, I'll adopt him out. If not, I'll hold onto him until I find the perfect person. I worked with him for a long time again today. Managed not to get bitten, but again, I was stuck by the feeling that we weren't meant to be together. He will take food from my hand, which is supposed to be a good sign, but he doesn't want anything to do with me in any other way. Maybe he'd come around in time, maybe not. And maybe while we're waiting for the perfect person to come along, he and I will have a breakthrough. Who knows? I'm trying to keep an open mind. But I'll keep you all posted.

[berger232004]

Hi there i understand your frustration
I took on Gizmo OWA, male, three months ago, last home was for four months.... the one before not so good and as far as im aware abusive, first home good, so this is now his fourth home in five years !!!!!
He has been hard work and ive learned that amazons need loads and loads of attention, Gizmo is getting there day by day and my progress with him is great. He can be aggressive, but not as much as you say of your bird. I would urge you to be patient because you can get there trust me dont give up !!!
Meant to say that Gizmo will not let me take him out of his cage neither by stick or hand. I have read somewhere that it is not a good idea to let amazons come out of their cage on their own, but i think Gizmo has done this for all of his life so far and therefore im fine with letting it go, as in respect ! I spent four hours on and off yesterday trying to get him to come out on my hand or a stick but to no avail, used treats etc but no no no.

[huntress]

I might remind that "MEAN" is a human term. Animals cannot be mean. They may be aggressive because of some sort of instinctual protectiveness or ailment but never mean just to be mean. its up to you the human to determine why the bird is being aggressive and treat the behavior as such. If you dont humanize your critters ( and learn to understand behaviors instead) you will ultimatly have a better life with them weather you can touch them or not.

[savagem13]

Well, the #$%^@#'s who were supposed to come see Jasper today just stood me up. No phone call, no nothing. I can't tell you how mad that makes me! Oh well--Jasper and I will just have to battle it out for a bit longer.

[savagem13]

Jasper is getting worse instead of better. I had him out today. While before I could sit on the bench with him and he'd very rarely come over to touch my hair, now if we sit on the bench together he lunges at me. And he tried to bite me today when I offered him a peanut. That's a first. I just feel like he hates me.

[savagem13]

Just heard from the person who was supposed to come see Jasper, too. She had a family emergency and didn't have my phone number on her.

[kellywess]

Originally Posted by savagem13

Jasper is getting worse instead of better. I had him out today. While before I could sit on the bench with him and he'd very rarely come over to touch my hair, now if we sit on the bench together he lunges at me. And he tried to bite me today when I offered him a peanut. That's a first. I just feel like he hates me.

I think that maybe Jasper may now be "feeding off" of your frustration and fear of him.

[savagem13]

Probably...sigh. I don't know what to do about it, though. How to keep yourself from being nervous around a bird that slashed your arm? I mean, he held on and rocked his head back and forth--he meant to hurt me. So yeah, I'm afraid of him. And I'm not sure where to go from here.