Hormonal Help!!!!

[Laurabirdwrangler]

I need help with my pionus. Let me tell background first. I have 2 Indian Ringnecks which pretty much makes me crazy. Tony is my 5 year old green and a lovely boy. He is not the typical ringneck, he is quiet and sweet. Lucy on the other hand is a terror. She is my 3 year old blue lacewing ringneck, she is absolutely stunning. Arbie is my rescue bird, he is a blue head pionus and is about 12 now. We have had him about 3 years.

Our friends owned a bird store and he was dumped there after not producing eggs the way his money hungry owner wanted. He had never been handled and spent most of his life under a blanket. When I entered the store I was immediately drawn to him. He just quietly sat in the back of his cage and wouldn't even look up. I asked him story and was told how terrible he had it. I asked to hold him since I have plenty of experience with crazy birds, I thought no big deal. They said that hadn't even tried and good luck. He stepped right up for me! I was in complete shock, they said no one has been able to do that. That's when they said please take him, so I did.

He was a good boy for about 6 months and then it started. The screaming and biting and striking. My husband couldn't even go near his cage. I could barely touch him. I spent tons of time with him and gradually got better. The spring would come and the hormones would start. I could handle it for the most part. With Lucy around the screaming got worse.

We just had our first child, during my pregnancy I could not go near any of their cages because of my hormones. They would sense my hormones and go crazy. Now obviously I do not have the same amount of time to spend with them and Arbie is screaming like crazy. It is an all day event and between him and the baby I am losing my mind. I have tried new different toys, different fruits and veggies, letting the sun in, turning on a tv, a fan, covering him, uncovering him, taking him out. NOTHING WORKS. Please help!!!!!

[jdlilfan]

Hi there! I'm sorry to hear about your troubles!

I really recommend going on amazon.com and buying the book Guide to Companion Parrot Behavior by Mattie Sue Athan. I always try to read it as much as I can, over and over. She's amazing and she's got a lot of wonderful information on how to help with biting, screaming, etc. It's a great resource to have.

I have a sun conure, who really lets out some nasty screams once in a while, and what's helped is rewarding the good behavior. I always give them a treat or play with him while he's quiet so it's always reinforced.

Also if the bird is biting your husband, have you tried having your husband handle him in a different room, alone and away from the cage? This can work wonders with territorial birds. Eventually the bird will get used to him.

Good luck!! And congrats on the new baby!

[Laurabirdwrangler]

I will look up that book, thanks. We have tried all of that. My husband used to be an dog trainer so we always do positive reinforcement. Arbie just does not care. He will let my husband hold him on if he flaps to the ground and as soon as he picks him up he flies back to his cage and strikes. Maybe the book with have more tips that I can add to that. Thank you so much.