My GCC Hates my husband!

[Balooshi]

I have a sweet GCC (Green Cheek Conure) who has never ever attempted to bite me. However, he despises my husband and becomes a mean and roudy bird in his presence. Yosh (GCC) is not used to my husband, bc my husband is often out of town. When my husband is present, Yoshi goes CRAZY screaming, hopping, pecking, and even becomes more aggressive to the other birds in the house. It appears that Yoshi does not like men. I am frustrated because my husband is soooooooo gooood w birds! What can we do to improve this situation? Thanks!

[ObsidianPhoenix]

Hmmm....

I saw some others recommend that he take some of the resonsibilities over, like Doing the treat bowl, and feeding the bird treats. Maybe a time out if Yoshi gets too out of control. Basically you need to reinforce to Yoshi, that being mean to your husband results in a time out.

It will probably take a while, but that's a start. I know others here on the forums know a lot more than I do...

Phoenix

[Chief's Mom]

My rescued Military, Sarge hates men (we knew that when we got him). My husband has gotten him to the point where he'll take treats from his hands, will let him pick him up if he's on the floor and it is his last resort to get up, etc. We've had him for almost 5 months and this is progress. He used to go nuts when Trav would walk into the room.

The best advice is that it takes time. If you push him and make him go to your husband, he'll learn to not trust either of you. My husband is home all day right now (with a broken leg) and he talks to Sarge a lot in a 'loud, happy' voice. And Sarge is letting him get closer and closer as time goes by. Travis is normally the one to give him his veggies during the day and he's the one who gives most of the treats.

I am hopeful that Sarge will come around eventually, even if it may be years from now Maybe if your husband spends some time with him without you there while he bribes him with treats??

[dlaura]

We had a similar problem with our son's B&G. Visited the store on a regular basis when he was a baby and I was leary of the bird and frightened. However once home I realized this wasn't a good thing and got over my fear and bonded with Taz because I was the main caregiver. Funny thing was that in the store hubby got along fine, but once home he started to act like you GCC. So I would sit down on couch next to hubby on the couch and just talk quietly while Taz was on my arm, my hubby would offer his hand for Taz to step up and if Taz yelled/lunged I would move my arm back while telling him No in a firm voice. I would then stroke hubby's hand/arm saying nice person, we love Bob and it wasn't long before Taz accepted hubby. Let your bird know hubby is part of the flock. Best of luck.

[flyingfluff]

It's possible your bird has bonded to you and whenever he sees your husband, he sees him as a treat and then lashes out in anyway he knows how. But it's hard to say.
I'd say have your husband drop a treat into Yoshi's cage anytime he walks by and to have only him do the stuff that Yoshi likes and you do the stuff he doesn't like.

Also, what does Yoshi act like when you're not around and only your husband is in view/interacting with him?

[Balooshi]

My husband and Yoshi are bonding slowly but surely. Hubby is now able to pick him up w/o giving kisses. It's working! Thanks for the advice. I'll keep y'all posted!

[jdlilfan]

Have you had your husband try to interact with the bird when he's not in his cage or away from the cage? I would recommend taking your bird away from his cage and out of the room to a different area of the house and have your husband try to interact with him. I've found getting the bird away from the cage works well if you're trying to get it to bond to other people. Eventually if the bird quits biting, try to get your husband and the bird to spend time alone in a separate room away from the cage. Good luck!

[teenab]

My cinn gc prefers me & we play the "get him" game when my fiance comes in the room. 'chell will fluff up all his feathers & go into attack mode while I egg him on. I know - sounds terrible...but Tom works construction & can take the bites & 'chell gets it out of his system & doesn't bite me! Plus - seems like since we started playing our little game, he tolerates Tom much better! If I'm not around - he greatfully goes to Tom...but if we're together & Tom comes into the room - 'chell goes into attack bird mode. After they play their silly little game & 'chell gets the best of Tom, 'chell happily goes to Tom & they go off to the kitchen to eat treats together.

Initially I had to stop feeding 'chell & Tom took care of him exclusively for a couple weeks. Now after more then a year of us all living together ('chell was 12 weeks when I got him) everyone gets along & the "game" is just a game now. 'chell never bites very hard (he used to draw blood if Tom tried sitting near me & sometimes it was me he bit rather then Tom)

Maybe letting your husband be the only one who interacts with him for a couple weeks will help the situation. It made all the difference in the world in our house!