Having a REALLY hard time with bird I adopted

[neeko7]

Hello everyone,
My roommate had purchased the most loveable, friendly, talkative black capped lory that was on consignment at the bird store we shop at. Shes almost 8 and was originally given up because of her bad behavior, primarily biting of her old owner. I couldnt even believe this bird had bitten before, she was perfect! She was EXCELLENT for about 2 weeks and even when we visited her several times at the store before taking her home. I have loads of experience with birds of all breeds, ages and training techniques. But I have never seen a bird put on such a show for 2 weeks!
She slowly started straying from my roomate and attatching to me. So much to the point where she would scream and scream until i came back and started attacking my roommate. I tried to ignore screaming, tried short time outs, tried setting her up with foraging toys to prevent the screaming. It all made it worse :-D. Shes a really intelligent bird, and has obviously had serious behavioral issues due to her previous owner. Well... I lost my job, and could no longer afford the rent, I had no other choice but to move back in with family and leave my roommate with the bird that despises her. :-/. I already have several birds of my own, and I know that I dont have the time or space for another bird , so i cannot take her :(.
She was everything her old owner said she was.... she bites hard and latches on and hold on for dear life. I believe what happened here is that she chose me as a mate, and is defending me by biting the living hell out of my old room mate. She has bitten me though, still cant figure out why it was very random. I should have known better, considering her favorite words are "no bite, no noise, stop, please be nice" lol.
Anyway, nothing changed to make her change so drastically... no schedule changes, no changes in her room etc. What I dont understand is how a "bad" bird (as her old owner said) could be soooo good and then turn bad again so fast. I've had 'second-hand' birds before, I have a cockatoo that has been abused before ... shes an angel now! I've given my roomate all the advice i'd give anyone else, but It's getting to the point where my roommate cant work with this bird because it will mangle her again, and of course, she is very fearful of the bird now. I'm feeling guilty because I cant take her, and that I am only able to visit her a few times a week... It's also not fair for her to be in her cage a lot. If anyone has any suggestions or has had a similar experience i'd really appreciate to hear about it .

[LovelySydney]

I think you probably are right, the bird saw you as his mate and now that you are gone she's PO'd over it!! It might not be that she doesnt LIKE your old roomate but prefers you. The old roomate will have to work slowly and hard to gain the birds trust back and get it to recognize that she is as fit a parront as you were! I think something like this takes time, especially since the bird saw you as its mate and a bond was there between you two. Its hard for birds to lose a mate so no doubt shes taking this almost as a death.


I think that while your roomate is trying to regain the trust and bond with the bird (she still wants to do that right?) you need to maybe keep your distance from the bird. I dont think she will really be able to train/tame down with the roomate if you keep popping in & out because she will get excited when she sees you. Get what Im saying?? Keep us posted on the situation, I hope all goes well!

[neeko7]

Yea, She really still wants to do that. She loves that bird so much. I agree with the time away thing, I've actually mentioned to her maybe I shouldnt come over much or when I do have to come over I wont handle the bird. I think it's going to be really hard for the bird AND my roommate to get over it and just be friends! Thanks for your help! Gives me more of an optimistic outlook on the situation :-D.

[LovelySydney]

Oh she is a BEAUTIFUL bird!!! Im sure things will all work out for all 3 of you, it will just take some time for everything to fall into place. Don't lose hope and remember patience is the key = )