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Post by prettybabyrio on Nov 2, 2014 13:40:10 GMT -5
I don't know if Rio is going through puberty or what, but she has been crazy lately. Not only will she randomly start chattering then making random noises, she even start squawking as loud as she can. Screaming as much as she can. I know parrots can be fairly noisy, really any bird, but this is new for her to be acting like this. She does this even when she can see me, it used to be only when I'd leave the room she'd start calling to me, now even if I am only sitting a few feet from the cage, she will start up on this. I have her cage door open all the time I am home unless I am cooking or something and she won't stop flying to me. She doesn't have clipped wings so she can fly where ever she wants whenever, while I'm home. Lately she has not only been making a ton of noise, but she has gotten aggressive towards me. I got her in July from some people who kind of rescued her, they estimated she was about 2 years old then. Me and her bonded right away, she cuddles with me and preens my hair and gives kisses. She also can speak many words and sometimes in her babbling she says a lot of them "Pretty baby" "Pretty birdy" then makes kissy noises. She'll laugh and jabber. If I leave the room she sometimes calls out "Mommy, mommy" which she picked up from my kids lol. She even says "What are doin?" She says more but that's the basics.
So her aggression has been going on for a bit now. Sometimes its when she flys to me while I'm sitting, she goes to my shoulder and if I try to move her she nips at me. She rarely cuddles with me any more and earlier when I spoke to her firmly about her squawking and said "ok will you give me kisses now" I kissed at her and she kind of charged and grabbed my hair and shook it...she has never done that, she always loves giving kisses. She makes kissy noises and uses her beak on my cheek and then tongues at my cheek. She has never nipped hard but lately is nipping harder. I know they reach maturity around 18months-2 years so it is possible she's a bit younger than they thought or that she is maturing a bit later, and on that note I don't know I she is actually a female or male, never been DNA sexed. Don't know if that makes a difference. Can anyone give any input? I want my sweet girl back  She is driving me up the wall right now. I'd never get rid of her but have considered getting her a friend, do you think that would help or just double the noise and mess? |
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Post by Popsy on Nov 3, 2014 15:09:16 GMT -5
Hi prettybabyrio, my quaker is very loving to me but was starting to become aggressive so was advised to have wings clipped and this worked immediately. I was concerned at first as flights she had found quite easy she struggled with and often ended up on the floor. I have noticed that the blue wings are starting to show again under her green wings so she will need clipping again soon (I do wish I didn't have to do this, but I know it's for the best)
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Post by biteybird on Nov 3, 2014 20:49:53 GMT -5
Hi, I can't comment about wing clipping (we have never clipped Bonnie's wings), but she is also starting to become more aggressive as she gets older. I suspect it's due to possessiveness of the person she feels most bonded to, or it may be 'payback' for you spending time with others and he/she doesn't like it (?). Sometimes when Bonnie nips too hard I rough her up (tumble her around on a newspaper or flat surface) and she loves it - makes little squeals and laughing noises of delight! So I wonder if she just wants an interesting game when she nips. We haven't quite worked her out yet.  . |
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Post by easttex on Nov 4, 2014 10:06:24 GMT -5
I'm not a clipper, either, and I personally wouldn't do it unless there is a safety issue. Is Rio molting? They can get a bit tetchy at this time. It's also possible that the honeymoon period is over.  It happens sometimes with a rescue bird. They're uncertain at first, and as they get more comfortable they're more assertive. It could also be an age thing. Like a lot of mammals, many birds are just more inclined to cuddle when they're younger. If it's either of these things, make sure you are not reinforcing the negative behavior in any way. Even negative responses on your part can be reinforcing. Sometimes a behavior change can mean an underlying medical issue, but if she is eating, drinking, and pooping normally, it's probably not the case. Training is a good way to establish a bond. It doesn't really matter what it is you train, just give her some devoted attention away from her cage, and be lavish with the praise and/or (healthy) treats. Break the goal down into tiny steps, and reward every step toward the desired end. You may not get the totally sweet cuddler back, but you can have a rewarding bond anyway. |
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Post by prettybabyrio on Nov 4, 2014 12:17:37 GMT -5
I don't think clipping her wings would help, she doesn't fly as much anymore either. She seems like she's been molting since I first got her in July...she still has the new feathers trying to come in on her head. She used to love me rubbing her head, now she doesn't want me touching her... I wonder if its because I have a boyfriend now. We started dating a month ago, he only comes over once a week or less though and she seemed to like him. If she doesn't fly over to me then she is on or in her cage all the time, her choice, like I said the cage door is almost always open when I'm home. If she nips hard or starts to act up I walk away, if its really bad, I shut her cage door. She seems quite healthy, eating and drinking normally, definitely pooping normally...I have always worked with her since I got her, but now I have no way to. I can't pick her up unless she flies and lands somewhere, if you walk towards her with a perch or towel or anything in your hand she immediately flies away (she has always done this and I believe there must have been something bad happen in her first home ) |
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Post by prettybabyrio on Nov 14, 2014 12:14:33 GMT -5
Well I think I figured it out. I think the feathers that have been growing back around her head, are bothering her because the "casings" were covering almost her whole head and probably irritating. I have been taking extra time with her and the night before last I sat with her on my chest and "preened" her head with my fingers, helped break them open, she loved it unless I tried to do too much. She has been a lot happier. I am adopting another Quaker though Then hopefully this one can also help with the preening. I'm hopeful that they will get along |
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Post by biteybird on Nov 14, 2014 19:55:29 GMT -5
Bonnie has been 'going crazy' too over the last week or so...last night I noticed a lot of downy feathers were on the floor so I assume she is moulting and that's why she has been noisier and nippier than usual. Fingers crossed it will get better in time.
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Post by prettybabyrio on Nov 15, 2014 13:30:02 GMT -5
I got my second Quaker last night and Rio actually (maybe out of jealousy) has been even sweeter. She wants to rub her beak on my hand and give lots of kisses, plus she's talking even more since I brought him home. She is not too sure of him yet. I hope Bonnie gets better for you. Rio definitely go better after me "preening" her.
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Post by biteybird on Nov 15, 2014 19:17:57 GMT -5
I hope Bonnie gets better for you. Rio definitely go better after me "preening" her. Bonnie's latest trick is nipping me on my neck, ear or fingers, then saying "OW".  I have only said it a few times and am trying to keep my mouth shut when she nips, but I suspect it's too late now! Actually, I saw a blue quaker in a pet shop last year, that does the same thing to the shop staff. Bonnie's just too clever - somehow she seems to know I'm typing about her and now she's sitting all cute and fluffed up, doing her most endearing noises, whistles and words...  I have been trying to rub her head, which she likes (in case she IS moulting), but at present she's too fixated on being feisty to come to the party. No, Bonnie, you are NOT a "good girl"!
Congrats - it seems you may have your sweet Rio back again.
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She is driving me up the wall right now. I'd never get rid of her but have considered getting her a friend, do you think that would help or just double the noise and mess?
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It happens sometimes with a rescue bird. They're uncertain at first, and as they get more comfortable they're more assertive. It could also be an age thing. Like a lot of mammals, many birds are just more inclined to cuddle when they're younger. If it's either of these things, make sure you are not reinforcing the negative behavior in any way. Even negative responses on your part can be reinforcing. Sometimes a behavior change can mean an underlying medical issue, but if she is eating, drinking, and pooping normally, it's probably not the case.
I have only said it a few times and am trying to keep my mouth shut when she nips, but I suspect it's too late now! Actually, I saw a blue quaker in a pet shop last year, that does the same thing to the shop staff. Bonnie's just too clever - somehow she seems to know I'm typing about her and now she's sitting all cute and fluffed up, doing her most endearing noises, whistles and words... 
I have been trying to rub her head, which she likes (in case she IS moulting), but at present she's too fixated on being feisty to come to the party. No, Bonnie, you are NOT a "good girl"!