Military insecure and biting

[kim197511]

hi all
My military 8 years old is really insecure. He gets off whatever he is on and comes running to me saying mama mama. Everytime I leave room. I have had him for a few months now.
I just adopted a harliquin. He is very mild tempered and loving. He is going to be 3 in july.
Chile my Military got on floor and ran to Uno cage climbed on and tried to get him threw bars.
I got him away and i know not to leave alone. How can I at least have them tolerate eachother?
Chile has come along way since I have gotten him. He was abused and left in his cage all the time because old owners were afraid of him. I do believe he has been rehomed several times. I will not give up on him!!!! But am afraid of the safty of other birds. Any advice?
I do believe he is hormonal now also so that doesn't help. He has bit me 3 times now these few days. Gave him time out for 5 min. under covered cage. then he comes out loving. He has to be held 75% of the time I am with him. Let me know what you all think. Thanks for listening. Its nice that i know I can come in here and talk to all of you.

[The Outlaw]

Well, you have managed to acquire two of the spicier macaw parrot species, so you will have your work cut out for you. I imagine that Uno is MUCH larger than Chili, so you'll have to be extra diligent. I find that properly managing my time with my birds makes it easier on all of them. I set a kitchen timer for 20 minutes and pick up a bird. They accompany on whatever task I'm doing. At the end of that time period, the timer bell rings and I then change partners and reset the timer.

This way, each bird gets equal time. They don't associate me with giving them up but instead understand that the BELL means to change partners. It has worked very well for my flock of 10 birds. Also, I think all birds like a change of scenery. I don't have one area only for my birds. They start out in the place they eat and sleep and then I move them to either the playroom aka Florida room or outside to cages and the aviary. By moving them to new locations, they get to see different things and play on different equipment. For folks with less space, you may find that hanging boings and gyms around your home may serve just as well.

Also, cut back on their seed rations. Most of us feed way too much seed.

[SevrMacDad]

my thoughts,
put yourself in chillies feathers, abused and effectively abandoned, ignored. You find a good home, someone to trust and have a relationship with and all starts looking right in the universe...and here comes a STRANGER!!! he's getting all the attention I was getting...I'm going to be abandoned again!!!..I need to get this intruder out of MY home...

sound about right?..don't make chillie be second place to the newbie. rather, slowly bring the new bird into the households established order, not change the order to suit the newguy. I've seen this before and there was an article about samething in birdtalk a few months ago (it envolved a grey, but same reaction). Its not an easy solution, its takes time, patience and empathy to chillies point of view.

[Bonesy]

Juggling a number of birds can be tricky but Outlaw there seems to have the nail on the head :) equal time & keep making sure both birds get your attention.

If he bites, look incredibly unimpressed, push into the bite & gently bring the beak over to the back behind his shoulders, this leaves him in vulnerable position & leaves him with no option but to let go. Keep this up & he will soon begin to mouth more than bite because he will learn if he bites, nothing special happens & he no longer has control over the situation.

Good on you for sticking with him, both look gorgeous birds :D