Attack Bird Formation!

[jamespc]

I just got a new parrotlet at the birdmart a weekago. We are doing well, he is about 3 months old. I pick him up with chopstick most of the time and then do step ups with my finger and even get to pet him from time to time. He is still a bit skiddish and every now and then goes into a threatening formation...he arches his back, puts his wings up, and lunges. I back off when he does this and try to get him to a perch or a place where he feels secure and I leave him alone for a while. Any idea what this behavior is and how to better handle it?

[25k]

my baby just started doing this too. he is about 3 months old now. i have no clue why, but i hope someone comes around to tell us more about it~ he used to let me scratch the back of his head, it was his favorite, he would get all puffy and would sit there until i stopped. now he will let me start and then he turns his head around and nibbles my fingers, not hard YET!

[Dementis]

So Celestina started doing the same around her fourth month. I think is part of their growing training... they have to learn how to defend themselves I guess.
What helped me a lot was showing her my finger and then pressing it gently to her beak (not letting her lounge) and after that I will try to exercise "step up". If she got it right I rewarded her and if she got it wrong I would press my finger against her beak again and just leave her alone. Oh! And I usually said "Gentle Beak" when I did the finger thing. It worked.

Oh!! Another thing that I noticed is that they lounge a lot when they can't see well (usually @ dawn and dusk).

I hope this is helpful.

[PetiteJadie]

Jade did this and you know what fixed it? it's so simple and yet, so effective. I simply vocalized what I wanted before I used my hands to ask her. I got into the habit of not saying "step up" before i approached. but once I started up again, she's lunging a whole lot less - and therefore not eating so much of my index finger with little sharp bites!

So i say "Step up" and then slowly move my finger to her and she does it like a little angel.

When she didnt know what I wanted, i was more of a threat. but now she is re-learning that my hands mean fun and treats. whenever you are with your little guy, especially when he is around your hands, make sure he knows its for a good, safe time. he'll warm up to you.

OH, and you can teach them other voice commands - i use "Gentle Jadie" for head scritches, "Treat" for handing her a seed (because sometimes she doesnt know that I am doing that and attacks my fingers). They're smart little guys so be consistent and you'll see!

[PetiteJadie]

I should add that all babies go through an extra nippy stage. this is to exert their dominance and learn social skills (like a kitten that is extra ferocious and playful). i was told that even if they are lunging and biting, you should still keep moving your finger toward them to let them know, gently but firmly, that you are the boss. also approach with things like apple slices. they may be mean to the apple, but then realize it's so yummy, so why hate it?

[25k]

Originally Posted by PetiteJadie

it's so simple and yet, so effective. I simply vocalized what I wanted before I used my hands to ask her. I got into the habit of not saying "step up" before i approached.

i used this today with talon, and it WORKS!

[Sally]

Yes, using words so they know what to expect works great. They understand. They are so small and we are big. They need to know what we are doing. I have done this for years.

[PetiteJadie]

Originally Posted by 25k

i used this today with talon, and it WORKS!

YAY! :) I'm glad it worked for you too!

[25k]

Originally Posted by PetiteJadie

YAY! :) I'm glad it worked for you too!

PetiteJadie you rock! i must also admit that i love simplicity! thanks for the advice!