sudden biting behavior

[puffinp]

Dear Kim, I'm a brand new member and thankfully stumbled onto this site becauce we need help! My husband and I have a 6 y/o goffins, got him at 4 months. He has always been sweet and affectionate but in the last several months has started visciously and unexpectedly attacking my husband , causing bad,deep wounds. He'll be sitting quietly on the couch w/us and will suddenly out of nowhere lunge and bite my husband and not let go until we pull him off or shake him off. It's really scary and has put a real strain on the relationship w/my husband which is tragic cause he used to be such a "daddy's" boy. Thanks for any help you can give us.
Catherine Lee aka Puff's mommy

[KimBear]

Parrots rarely bite for no reason, even if we may not be able to figure out the reason ourselves. Something sets them off, either making them angry or afraid. You may be able to think back to see if there was anything going on at the time that your bird was reacting to, or you may not be able to come up with anything. It can be very frustrating.

Sometimes parrots that have been out for a while get crabby, and may need to go back to their cage for something to eat or drink or for a nap. Sometimes they can get a bit bored and that can make them fussy. When hormones are raging, and this is a possibility given your bird's age, behavior can seem even more unpredictable. A parrot may perceive something a person does as a threat, or feel a rivalry with a particular family member.

If you tend to just let your bird sit with you, not doing much of anything, maybe you can structure your bird's out time to include activities and games to keep him busy. Let him work out any pent-up energy he may have in a safe and acceptable way. You might also want to check his sleep schedule to be sure he's getting 10 to 12 hours of sleep. These are just a couple of examples of things that could effect his behavior.

If he does go on attack, probably the best defense is to do your absolute best not to react too much. Try to get control of him and calmly put him away, or leave the area where he is if you feel you can't have him step up without getting attacked. Scolding could possibly make him angrier and he may feel he's being challenged. You don't want to make this a contest of wills and put yourself or your husband in an adversarial position.

I'm including a link to an article you may find helpful, and feel free to call me for a consult if you need to. I've been working with other folks in your situation a lot lately. Must be something in the air!

http://www.toolady.com/articles/'tooagression.htm

[CrazyBirdLady]

What about hormones? At six, would sexual maturing have something to do with the behavior? We have one bird that became extremely aggressive toward anyone that wasn't his chosen "mate".

[puffinp]

Thanks for any and all help on this matter, we really want to correct and understand this unacceptable behavior. Just for the record, puff always gets at least 10-12 hrs. dark, uninterrupted sleep, time out after intervals of out time , lots of toys ,play time w/both of us. In other words we're baffled by his aggression, though we know it is directed toward my husband not me, he has bitten me but never badly like that.

[KimBear]

What about hormones? At six, would sexual maturing have something to do with the behavior? We have one bird that became extremely aggressive toward anyone that wasn't his chosen "mate".

I did mention that hormones might be a factor.

I'd need to know more about the situation before I could tell you anything specific. Consults are usually the way to go when it's not an issue that can be easily addressed in this format.

Becoming very in tune with your bird's body language and moods can be helpful. Sometimes there are subtle signs that an outburst is on its way. They do seem to come out of nowhere in many cases, but often there will be triggers.

It can be frustrating figuring out what to do if and when an attack occurs. Many people will tell you that you need to dominate the bird to show him you're the boss and he can't get away with such behavior. This may not be the best approach depending on the motivation behind the biting. Trying to discipline a bird whose attacks are motivated by anger or fear can result in a bird that's even angrier or more afraid, so that's why I recommend that people respond in the calmest way they can and do their best to get the bird either back in his cage or somewhere else where he can calm down. From what you've described, it's more likely that your bird is expressing anger or hostility toward your husband rather than fear, but I can't say for sure.

Try increasing active play and exercise: More baths, games that involve jumping and wing flapping, etc. Be aware that during this time, your bird may be pretty fiesty, but you can set the situation up so that you're in control and he doesn't have a chance to bite. For example, keep him off your shoulder or arm and have him sit on a playstand.

It may be that for now, your husband won't be able to hold the bird if you're sitting right there, but he can play with him on his own in another room or when you're not home. They should spend time together, both active play and calmer petting time. You don't want them to become alienated from eachother. Figure out what the bird's favorite treats are and make sure they come only from your husband. He should offer treats frequently when the bird is doing well, and pile on the praise.

That article I mentioned really should help, too, but if you need some "one-on-one", think about setting up a consult.

[blindseer]

I've actually been having a similar problem with my boyfriend's goffins cockatoo. Up until a few weeks ago he has been the sweetest little thing. Lately he has been lunging at me and biting me, and I have no idea why. He does not display this behavior with anyone else, nor does he display this behavior with my boyfriend present. He has been acting differently in general too, but unfortunately I don't know how to explain the difference. I believe he is around eight years old, and we're not 100% sure he is a he either. Do you have any suggestions? I'm sorry that I'm not sure how to be more specific.

[KimBear]

Pretty much the same thing I told the original poster, plus the fact that I'm more likely to be able to help with this sort of thing if I can talk to you about it. There could be so many things going on it would just be a shot in the dark to guess what the problem is.

Anytime a parrot shows a "Jeckyl and Hyde" personality, there's something that's setting them off and making them treat you differently in certain situations. The something could be coming from you or it could be tied up in the circumstance itself (like if you're only alone with the bird at night and he tends to be crabby at night). If you find yourself acting differently around the bird when you're alone, that could explain things. It could be something very subtle, and you might not realize it's happening.

[pinkparrot]

Im, going though the same thing with my umbrella. I have been working on it for along time. but, I made some progress. she now will only bite when we are home. sounds funny right but it is true. when we are out she will be so sweet to my husband but at home oh Boy watch out!!!!!! but, Im moving in a few mouths so I hope that may take care of the Problem in a whole. but, just a tip take her/him out to the park/walk ect. and see what happens.

[blynch]

I am having the same problem with my umbrella attacking. He now attacks my granddaughter the cats and myself. He has taken a very negitive attatued toward her. Just the other day she came into my bedroom and laid down on my bed, frosty came down from his cage and climbed up on the bed and tried to bite her. If a one of the cats comes into my room he goes after it and has bitten one on the tail just for passing by his cage.
The other day I went to put his food in his cage and he came after me and bite me on my finger.
I am at my wits end as to what to do I live with my daughter's family and now she has told me to find a new home for the bird or move out on my own with them. I have two birds the other is an African Gray and is so calm around everyone he even eats out of their hands and wants to be around them all the time.
We use to keep the two birds in the same room but Frosty was constantly attacking George out of jealousy.
Thank you for any help you can give.
Barbara Lynch
blynch98_2000@yahoo.com

[Cindy215]

Ok Too's are notoriously difficult in some ways but I'd ask about her schedule. They both need to be on a strict natural daylight schedule. Including dusk and dawn. It's winter in North America and they need sleep getting ready for spring. They have a sensor in the brain that controls the metabolism. Via light. A cover isnt enough either, really. An overtired bird is a grouchy, nervous and aggressive bird. Also decrease the protein and vitamin e. Turn off all the lights an hour before dusk and let her/them go to sleep in a quiet room with no tv, computers lights, flashing, or human noise. She will have needed to eat before then like in nature, from about 2-3 till dusk.

This may not solve all your problems but until her hormones and metabolism are back in balance and getting the right sleep you wont have a baseline. This is also what triggers breeding behavior. YOu should see an improvement in two weeks or so but some see it immediately. I think it's important before other problems develop to at least get the basics nailed down. Including diet.

Read this mistake I made today causing a nervous bird and how I fixed it: (but my birds follow a natural daylight schedule and this was once, nothing long term):

http://birdboard.com/forum/showthrea...053#post295053