Strange behavior

[ObsidianPhoenix]

My Sun Conure, Phoenix, is about to hit 4 months old tomorrow. But the last few days, she has been screaming her head off when i try to pick her up. I would never dream of doing anything to hurt her, but tonight, it got a bit extreme.

I simply tried to catch her before she slipped off her cage and she went ballistic. Screaming and flapping. when I tried to get under her, she clamped down on my finger hard enough to leave a mark, but not break skin. She has never bitten that hard ever in all my handling of her since I got her.

As soon as I did get her a bit more under control, aal she did was burrow into my hands and started to fall asleep. Now she is walking around my shoulders.

It seems like she is scared of my hands, no clue why, but she is fine with the rest of me. Walking around on my shoulders and nibbling my ears like usual. But since she has not really fully developed her foot strength yet, she tends to slip at times, and I try to catch her, then it sets her off again.
It just happened and she was screaming to get away from my hands again.

As I am typing, she is watching my hands cautiously and at any movement she gets a little defensive.

Anyone have any ideas?

[Addicted to Tequila]

I honestly think this is the equivalent to the two year old that is taking 90 minutes to get dressed and has buttoned up his coat wrong and put his shoes on the wrong feet... but when you try to help, he swats your hand away and screams "I can do it MYSELF!"

I could be wrong... but I see an awful lot of "toddler parrots" do this... and grow right out of it.

[ObsidianPhoenix]

Just a bit of an update on this.

My concern continues. Phoenix is still very defensive around my hands, but not as bad as she used to be. I had forgot to mention some key facts.

We have recently moved to a much bigger house and we have them in more of a common area now. The only thing that I can think of is maybe the new environment has thrown her off a bit.

But I also noticed that she is VERY jumpy when my kids are making a lot of noise and playing. And I also did notice that my son who is 2 years old has a habit of playing with the cage latch on her cage. I will be getting a lock for it and just use the top to let her out since he cannot reach the top.

Could it be that my son has mistakenly made her afraid of people by messing with her cage?

She has improved a bit, but she is still really nervous when I put out my hand for her to climb up onto me. I have been encouraging her with praise when she does make the effort to step up, and if she gets a bit out of sorts, then I leave her be to do her own thing. She hasn't really fluttered off anymore, but she will lean way back when I put out my hand for her if she is in one of her moods.

As soon as my hands are out of sight or in my pockets, she is all cuddly and affectionate.

Also, what is the best way to get my pineapple GCC to stop biting anyone else but me? He will touch his beak to my fingers, but he does not bite me. But anyone else gets bite marks and such. He has not drawn blood yet, but I worry about it.

Thanks

[mmr]

Originally Posted by Addicted to Tequila

I honestly think this is the equivalent to the two year old that is taking 90 minutes to get dressed and has buttoned up his coat wrong and put his shoes on the wrong feet... but when you try to help, he swats your hand away and screams "I can do it MYSELF!"

I remember those days!!!! Then they get older and can't do anything themselves!

[DarwinTheSun]

Originally Posted by ObsidianPhoenix

Could it be that my son has mistakenly made her afraid of people by messing with her cage?

I think this is possible. It might be that he tried to get her out one day too, and had to sort of chase her around. The only thing I can think that would help it is to continue to offer treats by hand, while she is in her cage and out. Make sure your kids do it too, and I would also limit the time your kids spend with her (at least handling) until she is back to normal.

Originally Posted by ObsidianPhoenix

Also, what is the best way to get my pineapple GCC to stop biting anyone else but me? He will touch his beak to my fingers, but he does not bite me. But anyone else gets bite marks and such. He has not drawn blood yet, but I worry about it.

This is a tough one, because he has chosen you as his person and really wants to protect you from the others. You need to let the other people in the house do some of the fun things, like feeding and cleaning the cage. And also, if your bird gets stranded on the floor (for whatever reason), let someone else "rescue" him off the floor. Basically, you need to make him a bit more reliant on others in the household too, and make sure he knows that they are part of his flock, like it or not.

[hollyhawkz]

Hi OP's Mom,

It sounds like the readjusting period has caused Pheonix some stress, and is a little spooked about "everything" as it is new. I think the biting when you try to catch a slip just may be that she is temporaily in panic mode, however the rest of the biting is odd behavior considering she was OK with hands before. I agree with Barb that your son may have effected her somehow. Have you asked him if the "bird acted strange with him one day" How old is he??

Maybe try treats in hands every time you go near her, so hands are a good thing.

I also agree that the Pineapple has chosen you. Hard to change that. I have two boys right now (conures) that are going to fight to death over me if I don't watch them like a hawk. They naturally protect and are undyingly faithful to the one they choose. (we on the other hand go play around with other birds, for shame) It is flattering in a way but a pain, for the rest of the household and other birds.

Keep us posted...

[Mr Mango]

suns and green cheeks are extremly attached and very over protective. I would try getting alot more interaction with the rest of the family to make them feel more of the flock but im sure it will still see you as its flock leader.

[EmpEro517]

My Sun is almost 8 months old, and he seems to be very defensive around small children. He never shows any aggression towards me or anyone unless there us a toddler around. I have a cousin around 3 years old whom he seems to really hate. Whenever he comes around he'll bite at me until I get him to leave or leave myself.

[ObsidianPhoenix]

Originally Posted by hollyhawkz

Hi OP's Dad,

Corrected that for ya.

Well, I will just keep working with her and most nights I can be found at my computer playing Tabula Rasa with Phoenix snuggled in the crook of my right arm, leaning against my stomach sleeping away.

Slowly but surely she is getting better.

My son is 2 years old and he does know a few words, and he did admit to trying to play with Phoenix. That is why the front cage door will be locked, and I will just use the opening play top.

And about Mango (pineapple GCC), yeah I have tried to get my wife to give treats, but because the kids are running around driving her crazy, it usually slips her mind to occasionally give Mango a treat.

The kids are still too young to help out with treats and the rest of things, as my oldest child is only 4. So maybe as time goes on, they can do more.

[Kimmarie]

I agree that it is important to let your bird know that this is a family thing and she is part of it. If she has never done this to you before and it freaked you out she may be tuning into your own fears...birds are really good at that. I think that a new enviorment to any living creature can cause a difference in behavoir...are your children more excited with the new envoirment? Have your habits changed at all in your new house? Are you using a different brand of soap to wash your hands? I could go on and on with questions that may or may not lead to an answer but because you are the choosen one it is up to you to communicate with your bird...be careful but never be afraid. Good luck!!