Senegal Tantrums

[Lindann]

My 16-month-old Senegal, Max, has started having what appear to be fits of rage when he can't have his own way. He makes a really loud horrible sound like tearing cloth, flares his wings, pins his eyes and crouches. The sound is like a hiss, but sometimes it's ear-splitting. He also does it when he's scared of something, like he's recently decided he hates cups and drinking glasses, and if he's anywhere close when I have a cup of tea, he goes nuts whenever I bring the cup up to my mouth. He's started spazzing out when I try to take him from (or give him to) my husband, who he adores. Last night I went to give him a kiss and he did his ripping cloth sound and lunged at my face, puncturing my upper lip inside and outside. I'm getting worried because he's so unpredictable right now--one minute he's sweet and goofy Max Jekyll, the next he's Mr. Hyde. Any idea what's going on with him and how best to deal with it? That injury to my lip is very painful and I really don't want anyone else to be the recipient of such a nasty bite.

[nailsrglue]

maybe hes hitting puberty and that is causing the outbursts?

[Wendy Brunet]

Hello!
The other person who replied is right on the mark. Your Senegal is turning into a juvenile/adolescent. I have just recently posted 2 articles discussing exactly this on my weblog. The articles are written by Pheobe Linden and explain fully what exactly is going on in your little Senegal's head right now, and how to deal with and understand it. Please give them a read,I know you'll find them extremely helpful, she really goes into the hows and whys and what to do's. I encourage you to purchase the PDF file of all her articles (costs only $15) from the Santa Barbara Bird Farm website. To view these 2 particular articles you can go to my website (the link is at the bottom of this post) and click onto the weblog link (at the left side of the page) . I do have some other excellent articles on the website itself, by Liz Wilson. I was lucky enough to recieve permission from both authors to reprint their work. You'll find great insight from these 2 ladies about your Parrot. (PS-I have Senegals and I have known that bite..........LOL ) Wendy Brunet

[Lindann]

Thanks so much! I really appreciate the input. I'm sure Max is in early adolescence. He has been such a sweetheart up until now, but, come to think of it, I have a teenage son and, although he doesn't bite and growl--and I'm sure he would if he thought he could get away with it! --he has a lot of the same irrational outbursts and behaviours. I read Phoebe's article and she was right on the mark. We've been trying to take Max out more--actually took him shopping at the mall in Nanaimo last week--and I take him out in the garden with me on nice days, which are few and far between right now on northern Vancouver Island. He hangs with me when I'm cooking and cleaning and working on the computer. He absolutely loves it when I show him noisy parrot videos on YouTube. Right now he's sitting on my shoulder having a preen and being extremely sweet, but I'm always aware that he can go snaky at any time and without any provocation on my part. I guess it's true that you always hurt the one you love! Anyway, thanks Nailsrglue and Wendy for your help. By the way Wendy, I see that you are in Surrey, not that far from us here on the Island. Take care and thanks again-- Linda Strathdee