What Is W?the Biting???????

[puffinp]

Is it because it's going on spring? My sweetest baby has become a blood thirty raptor and I am at my wits end. With me he's just adorable , but if he even sees hubby it's Jurassic Park all over again. My marriage is getting in serious trouble as I continue to make excuses for his behavior and still to not sound as tho I'm putting him first. Not every hubby understand why the fids are not treated like human children. He doesn't get it that as smart as they are they STILL don't talk the same language.

[homebird]

Not that I can offer any helpful hints .... but I have read about the very real hormonal rollercoster that many birds get when mature. I know we shouldn't compare species - human to bird, but we all act pretty irrational when hormonal - look at all the PMS jokes & who wants to go thru puberty again?.
Try out Mattie Sue Athan's books on the subject, she's a Behaviourist & Author. I've recommended this before - check out local bird rescue or bird clubs, in your area, as they are dedicated to helping birds & people thru hard times & training issues.
Sorry to hear that its affecting the human relationship - don't try to make excuses, afterall you shouldn't be taking on the responsibility/guilt of the bird's actions - that's unreasonable. I find myself torn too when my present old cat is dirty - or when my past cat would protest pee on my husband's antique loveseat (jealousy is a terrible thing) when I was 1)first married & 2) first had our son. We fought a lot over that. But all that is past now & we both kind of laugh about it now & Matthew is more accepting of our 17yr old cat's indiscretions.
I'm sure you'll get help from the more experienced bird people,
all the best,
Jac

[puffinp]

Wow , you have been so helpful in responding to my turmoil. It IS a really tough time and I can only hope that it is temporary , but who knows? Time will tell. But hey thanks for chipping in.

[jimpierce7]

Zoey has definatly bonded to me and usually bites or fusses at my wife. All year long. My wife has shown a bit of jealousy about this too.

[puffinp]

But it shouldn't have to be this way.

[homebird]

Hi again,
Monica hit the nail on the head, in one of the threads I responded to - that I've done tons of research but am short on practical experience with birds. Mattie Sue Athan suggested that if there is a jealousy issue - let the significant other or person the bird is having issues with, do most if not all of the fun stuff for a while so the bird will see them in another light (the other person may have more fun too). IE Give them treats, go for a little outing (even just a tour of the home) - can be difficult but possibly an answer.

Jealousy is after all one of the seven deadly sins (doesn't matter which religion) - it is deadly, feels yuky inside - brings feelings of shame.....It's also irrational & difficult to come to terms with. Doing something positive will help no matter what. You both have to work together, after all your relationship is very important! Think of the other person's feelings - it must be very frustrating for them, having to 'compete' with a bird - so confusing.

All the best
Jac

[dyeman]

What kind of bird is Puff?

[Irish]

I admit to being hurt when we first brought Eddie home for me, and he decided in 3 days that he preferred my spouse and thought I should stay well away from them both. Spouse's "cure" for my jealousy? Buy Bob for me (Bob already liked me and was regurgitating for me and flying to me in the store). It worked! LOL!

As for Evil Eddy, he just plain doesn't like me. He'll eat food he likes from my hand, though, and he'll ride on a stick so that I can take him wherever he needs to be (travelling cage, big "tree" in the living room, T-stand in the kitchen while spouse makes dinner, etc.). Good enough for me--if he needs help, I can move him safely, and that's what counts. Otherwise, I can't pet him, I don't trust him to ride on my arm without biting, and I don't let him on or under his cage (he is taller than me on the playstand, and while under the cage, he's in "nesting" mode--spouse can't even get him out from under the cage without difficulty and a bite, usually). The arrangement works for us, and I don't stress it. My spouse is loving, kind and tolerant, and Eddie sees our love and affection for each other and just has to deal with it, jealous or not :-). I didn't get on a plane for the first time when I was in my late 30's to marry someone in their own country and 300 y/o church, among strangers I had never met and the only familiar faces there being my children and spouse, come home 9 days later, married but by myself, to file the proper INS paperwork, and spend months apart and thousands of dollars for attorneys, filings, fees, the plane ticket, etc. so my spouse could legally immigrate here from Scotland to be with me, for a "mere" bird to get in the way of our relationship!

Dogs, maybe, but not birds :-). J/K, of course! LOL! Spouse and I will be married for 7 happy, love-filled years in exactly one week :-).

[jimpierce7]

sad to say it but my wife and I have differant views about "pets" I tend to make them a part of my family. My wife sees them as "pets" to be looked at and have fun with at her desire. She loves them greatly, talks to them all the time but on her terms.

[Irish]

Ours are definitely family :-). Bratty, sometimes frustrating, and almost constantly demanding, just like the 17 y/o and the two 20-somethings, but well-loved, spoiled, lots of fun to be around, and I wouldn't turn back the clock and change things even if I could. No one, though, be they clothed, feathered, furred or scaled, gets in the way our marriage. So we do what we have to do to keep the whole pack happy. Teamwork, I tell ya! It's all about teamwork :-). With so many of us residing here (all but the two 20-somethings), there are always some interesting relationship dynamics going on. Keeps life interesting!