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Post by graciesmom on Oct 15, 2018 20:25:02 GMT -5
Gracie was on the top of her cage and was trying to reach me but couldn't. Hubby thought he'd help her down and extended his index finger for Gracie to step up. I told him she doesn't step up, it's palm up and she walks onto the palm of the hand. Well, he didn't listen and in a flash she chomped down like never before on the back of his hand. Broke the skin, it bled for a good while. He has a pretty fair hole on the back of his hand and now he says he'll never reach for her again. I feel really bad for him, he was so very supportive of my getting her! Her biting has definitely gotten worse and now just plain hurts, although she has never drawn blood from me. I cuddle with her nightly after work until her bedtime. The entire time I have her with me she is doing her best to find something on me to nibble, pluck, or preen! She breaks off bits of my my hair when she sits on my shoulder and will give me kisses but is gentle. I've no idea how to stop this biting behavior!
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Post by biteybird on Oct 16, 2018 4:57:01 GMT -5
I'm sorry, but....I just read your post to my husband (who has bled many times as a result of our little minx, Bonnie) & we both laughed, then he said "She's the Boss!" I think Gracie has bonded with you and is jealous of your husband - that is what has happened with us. We counteract this behaviour by my husband being the one to give her treats and let her out of the cage when he gets home from work. It was interesting 2 weekends ago, because Bonnie flew at my face on both Saturday and Sunday, which she wouldn't normally do to me. We think the reason was because we had Friday night drinks at the pub and got home much later than usual...so it was "payback". Naughty little girl.  |
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Post by graciesmom on Oct 16, 2018 18:34:18 GMT -5
Oh no! This doesn't sound too promising for my husband. If she is acting this way now what will happen when she hits adolesence?!😳
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Post by biteybird on Oct 17, 2018 5:05:10 GMT -5
I know!  But it's not all gloom and doom. Bonnie really likes being with her humans and splits her time between us (usually based around who can give her head scratches or play with her when SHE wants!). Just today my hubby sat with her for at least half an hour scratching her head while she closed her eyes and purred like a kitten. I guess the important thing is to accept that this species of bird is very changeable, so don't be surprised when Gracie 'turns'. The other important thing is - don't take it personally. Start each day (or even hour) fresh. When Gracie does something unsafe give her 'time out' for 5-10 minutes, but then start anew to let her show you she's learnt something from it. Hope this helps. |
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Post by graciesmom on Oct 17, 2018 14:23:30 GMT -5
Thanks! She'll be getting time out! Last night I began consistently making an aaack noise whenever she chomped down on me. The noise startled her and she immediately stopped. She finally settled down and let me rub the back of her neck where she has new feathers that have been trying to open for the past couple of weeks. Maybe that's what's bothering her and making her such a testy little grouch!
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Post by birdiegirl on Oct 30, 2018 4:47:06 GMT -5
Yes, it is very likely that she is grumpy because of the new feathers. Our Birdie was just the same. It got so bad we even considered re-homing him. Anyway, he calmed down when the pin feathers disappeared after a few weeks. The first moult is very stressful I believe.
All the best!
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