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Post by smokeytheagc on Jun 22, 2017 1:21:58 GMT -7
Hello everyone. Hope you all are doing great. My AGC is around 1 year old and he has bonded with me quite well since i got him. I got him when he was 3 months old. I used to give him a lot of time everyday until about since a month i was having my exams and i could not give him much time due to my very very busy exam schedule. I did play with him once a day but sometimes i could not even cope up with that. But now my exams are finished and now i am giving him a lot of time again as i used to before but i am noticing sudden aggresive behaviour. He actually bit me quite a lot of times yesterday with few of them being serious bites which drew blood. Also while on his play stand he is showing aggresive behaviour towards his toys and not letting me pet him even. And screams when ever i try to pet him. Please help me what could be the reason? Is it because of the less attention i was giving him during my exams or is it some other reason? And how to overcome this aggressiveness?. He never used to bite before. This is the first time he has started biting aggressively. Can weather also be a reason for this? The tempreature is pretty warm these days here.
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Post by chris on Jun 22, 2017 7:03:31 GMT -7
Assuming he's eating/drinking normally and otherwise healthy maybe he's just pissed off at you haha! I'd go slow and I'm sure eventually you 2 will get your mojo back. The temperature thing is interesting - when you say it's warm, ... how warm? Assume no A/C (I live in Florida so A/C is a given here but I realize not everywhere!). I guess I'd always assumed these birds don't mind it a little warm but their tolerance for temperature variation (high and low) is something I've not researched.
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Post by beakertrout on Jun 22, 2017 8:36:51 GMT -7
Entering the terrible twos and raging hormones.
Welcome to an AG who wants to make little AG's.
Some act crazy around this time.
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Post by susan on Jun 22, 2017 15:12:31 GMT -7
Assuming he's eating/drinking normally and otherwise healthy maybe he's just pissed off at you haha! I'd go slow and I'm sure eventually you 2 will get your mojo back. The temperature thing is interesting - when you say it's warm, ... how warm? Assume no A/C (I live in Florida so A/C is a given here but I realize not everywhere!). I guess I'd always assumed these birds don't mind it a little warm but their tolerance for temperature variation (high and low) is something I've not researched. I also live in Florida, I have had 4 birds 3 from South America, and Sid the CAG from Africa, I have noticed over the years the Grey is unable to handle heat above 85 outside even in the shade, the ones from South America seem to thrive on it. On the other end, Sid the CAG is able to tolerate the cooler temps. Found out when there is power outages in the winter. ( yes I know this Florida, don't laugh) but it has gotten to 62 in the house and he was perfectly fine. Believe me I watch my little guys very carefully as I know they hide sickness. |
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Post by smokeytheagc on Jun 22, 2017 17:16:46 GMT -7
Thank you soo much for all the replies.
The temp is quite an issue here. It easily goes above 40°C during the day. Even with the AC onn at all times the atmosphere is still quite humid. I have seen my AGC with lifted wings alot these days which is a clear sign that the temp is too warm for him for which i do mist him with medium cool water 2-3 times a day.
Secondly the raging hormones might be the issue as well, as of today he seemed quite normal with no aggressiveness and didnt even mind a session of headscratches untill just randomly he bit me again quite badly. Like the aggressiveness comes as a sudden surprise. Not sure what's triggering it. If this is the case then how should i react to it? Should i give him more attention or give him space? As i havent experienced this kind of behaviour with my other birds(an Alexandrine parakeet and a cockatiel).
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Post by beakertrout on Jun 22, 2017 18:39:43 GMT -7
You can buy a book on AG behavior.
I have read stories where a woman with a "cuddle bug" of an AG couldn't get near it two weeks out of the year.
My advice is to not make a big deal out of getting bit and try to move on.
If Beaker gets aggressive with me, I leave the area.
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Post by smokeytheagc on Jun 22, 2017 23:51:29 GMT -7
Thanks alot for the reply. I will sure get the book. Hoping he doesnt get used to this behaviour.
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Post by chris on Jun 23, 2017 4:31:55 GMT -7
Sounds like it could be hormonal, perhaps brought on by the heat; or maybe the heat is making him a bit ornery (like it does most of us haha!).
On the other hand the fact that he'll let you head scratch him one minute and then suddenly haul off and tag you isn't all that unusual based on my experience. Their mood can turn on a dime; maybe you've been lucky until now! Gotta read the body language very carefully, and even then it can be tricky.
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Post by chris on Jun 23, 2017 4:39:01 GMT -7
Assuming he's eating/drinking normally and otherwise healthy maybe he's just pissed off at you haha! I'd go slow and I'm sure eventually you 2 will get your mojo back. The temperature thing is interesting - when you say it's warm, ... how warm? Assume no A/C (I live in Florida so A/C is a given here but I realize not everywhere!). I guess I'd always assumed these birds don't mind it a little warm but their tolerance for temperature variation (high and low) is something I've not researched. I also live in Florida, I have had 4 birds 3 from South America, and Sid the CAG from Africa, I have noticed over the years the Grey is unable to handle heat above 85 outside even in the shade, the ones from South America seem to thrive on it. On the other end, Sid the CAG is able to tolerate the cooler temps. Found out when there is power outages in the winter. ( yes I know this Florida, don't laugh) but it has gotten to 62 in the house and he was perfectly fine. Believe me I watch my little guys very carefully as I know they hide sickness. That is interesting Susan, and seems to support some things I've seen. I try to let Ruby hang out by an open window for a couple hours a few times a week to get some sunlight (Vitamin D) - it's harder to do now in the summer but early in the morning not too bad (except for the A/C bill going up and up!). As the temperature goes up it doesn't take long before her wings will start to open, her beak will open slightly, and she gets very sedentary. I assume these are the birds natural ways to cool themselves and deal with the heat. It was surprising to me that she did this fairly quickly - i.e. it wasn't *that* hot. On the other hand I've taken her out on the porch in the winter when it's 50's/60'sF and she's not only fine but seems very perky. |
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Post by Jane on Jun 23, 2017 7:52:57 GMT -7
If he screams when you try to pet him and bites randomly when you do scratch his head is he molting? That can make them not want to be touched.
Jane
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patch
Weaned Todd
Joined: June 2017
Posts: 28
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Post by patch on Jun 23, 2017 14:22:22 GMT -7
Don't know how much your bird enjoys "petting" and head scratches. Most Greys are NOT the cuddly type. I have had parrots of several species, and found the Australian species (cockatiels and cockatoos) to be the snuggle bunnies, but Greys, not so much. Or not at all. Makes it difficult when family members or friends drop in and want to "pet" the bird!
About the sudden bites--sometimes I feel like I'm living with Kato, from the Pink Panther movies! There are STRICT rules, one being you DO NOT reach into his cage when he is in there!
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Post by smokeytheagc on Jun 23, 2017 16:18:03 GMT -7
Thank you for the replies.
He does have some pin feathers on his head but i am fully aware about them so i try to pet him in certain areas to avoid that. He was very cuddly about a month ago before my exams started. He always loved headscratches. He still does. Today he was sitting on my lap for about an hour and no aggression and was letting me pet him, no issue. Then just suddenly he started biting and leaping towards my hand and not allowing me to even pick him up.so for now he just randomly bites even when i bring my hand close to him. I am pretty sure now that it might be the hormonal effects as he is fine for a moment and then shows aggression in another moment.
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Post by smokeytheagc on Jun 24, 2017 9:07:31 GMT -7
Well its confirmed now. He is in season. Well he was sitting on my hand and then started doing this head bobbing mating dance i suppose and then held my finger with his claw and regurgitated out food. So i guess this is what is causing the aggression. Well can you people please suggest me what to do with this behaviour? Should i discourage him by putting him back on his pearch? Or just act nothing?
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Post by beakertrout on Jun 24, 2017 9:18:12 GMT -7
I tell Beaker,"No barfing, no puking" and walk away.
I have been told it is not good to encourage the behavior.
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Post by smokeytheagc on Jun 24, 2017 12:20:37 GMT -7
Oh okay i did the same as well. I placed him back on his pearch. Some research i just did also concludes to discourage this behaviour.
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