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Post by pidgesmum on May 22, 2017 23:08:02 GMT -5
Pidge has been fine but now is becoming territorial! I think he was born in Oct 2016. He managed the move to a new house with aplomb and I have some coloured bottles on a cupboard which he loves. He races around them like a maze laughing all the way. My ex neighbour, Michael, is a builder and is working on the house. He has adored Pidge and begged to be able to look after him. Unfortunately Michael decided to play with Pidge and the bottles. He started moving a bottle and Pidge flew at him and attacked. Michael thought this was funny and kept teasing him even though I asked him to stop. GRR! Now when Michael arrives Pidge attacks him as soon as he gets in the door. Michael is totally intimidated and wants to make amends. All I can think is get Michael to give him special treats in his cage. Any ideas. I'm finding Pidge very hard work at the moment and don't need him angry as well. He turns his back and mouths off. I have an image but can't work out how to post it.  |
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Post by biteybird on May 23, 2017 4:31:34 GMT -5
Oh no! Maybe when Michael is coming put Pidge in his cage beforehand, just for the moment? Then get Michael to give him some special treat? Anything to break this cycle for the time being...
Easttex may have some advice.
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Post by easttex on May 23, 2017 5:09:26 GMT -5
Probably all of us have made mistakes with our birds, especially early on, that resulted in a temporary loss of trust. I know I did. Michael needs a crash course in reading (and heeding) Pidge's body language. It's never a good thing to continue to do something after your bird tells you it's in distress about it. I'd let go of the idea that Pidge is angry, though. He learned that the only way to communicate "I don't like what you're doing" to Michael is to bite. And when even that didn't make him stop with the bottles, I think Pidge began to view him as a threat and not a flock member. Biteybird gives good advice. For the time being, keep P caged when M visits. Let P observe M being calm. He can sit nearby and talk soothingly, but no closer than P is comfortable with. If P is undisturbed having M nearby, he can try offering treats. While this is going on, it's important that he watch closely for P's subtle signals and heed the warnings. P needs to know that that M will respect him and his wishes. If all is going well, M can at some point start taking a more active role. Training is a good way to build a good bond, as long as it involves lots of positive reinforcement. And it doesn't have to a "trick" to be training. Just getting Pidge to step up for Michael would be a good exercise. If you haven't read this, there is good information on basic bird behavior, body language, and training after a bite. It's probably good reading for Michael, too.🙂 www.stfrancisanimalandbird.com/index.php/pet-resources/library/9-avian-care/84-my-parrot-bites-what-can-i-do |
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Post by Caseysmom on May 24, 2017 9:00:15 GMT -5
All good advice, and your pic is actually there, I right clicked on that tiny box in your post and choose open image in a new tab and saw Pidge up on the ledge guarding his bottles Good luck at getting Pidge to make friends again
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Post by biteybird on May 25, 2017 3:09:43 GMT -5
I looked at the photo too and that stance of Pidge's is exactly what Bonnie looks like just prior to attacking my hubby (usually she is up high, too, either on the pot rail or a wall ledge).
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Post by pidgesmum on Jun 17, 2017 20:26:54 GMT -5
The situation is improving. Michael comes every day now for 3 weeks working in my house. He has talked continuously to Pidge (which drives me nuts). He tried too early to get close, however yesterday Pidge started flying to Michael's shoulder. He's very interested in seeing what Michael is doing. I think he was a bit upset when Michael went home. I've asked Michael not to make any physical overtures to Pidge and just wait.
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Post by pidgesmum on Jun 17, 2017 20:27:06 GMT -5
The situation is improving. Michael comes every day now for 3 weeks working in my house. He has talked continuously to Pidge (which drives me nuts). He tried too early to get close, however yesterday Pidge started flying to Michael's shoulder. He's very interested in seeing what Michael is doing. I think he was a bit upset when Michael went home. I've asked Michael not to make any physical overtures to Pidge and just wait.
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Post by biteybird on Jun 20, 2017 2:38:45 GMT -5
Sounds promising - don't give up and well done to both of you for persisting.  |
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Post by beccilouise on Jul 18, 2017 10:25:44 GMT -5
I totally understand your frustration. Sometimes we (people) may think it is funny to wind birds up, but we forget that anger is not a nice emotion to feel and if a person makes a bird feel threatened, they will become wary of, or angry at, them. Maya has recently started flying at the heads of strangers who enter our house. To combat this, I get newcomers to stand in the hall and hold out their hands. I put nutriberries in their palm and sit Maya on their thumb. She will eat the nutriberries and it gives her a chance to have a look at the new person. We all then go to the living room together. I make sure the newcomers sit down for AT LEAST the first ten minutes so that Maya can get used to them being there. So far, this has worked, but I haven't been trying to undo damage, so it may take Pidge a little longer to reassess Michael. If Michael also makes sure he steers clear of Pidge's bottles and talks to him very gently while he's moving around the room, explaining everything he is doing very calmly, that might help Pidge feel less threatened. Best of luck and glad things are improving! You are absolutely right, Pidge needs to be able to come to Michael.
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