So you've read everything there is about bringing up a healthy, well socialized Amazon... but what you currently have is an Amazon that is aggressively overbonded to one person - Is it a lost case? NO. Aggression is a learnt behavior, and other things can be taught for the bird to change that behavior. It will happen, but like most success stories - it takes perseverance, time, love and patience.
The biggest reason for failure in trying to reverse an overbonding bird, is that the bird's Favorite person is very often afraid of losing that "position" and having his or her bird prefer another person. Remember that birds are loyal creatures. Once they love you, they always will (if you continue gaining their trust and don't abuse them). Birds have a large capacity of loving you, others and many more things in their lives, and still run back to you for love and attention. Trust them, it's for their own good. You won't be around forever, as most of us get our birds in adulthood, and Amazons & larger birds can live up to around 80 years old. If you want them to always be cared for, you must raise them to be sociable, loving birds.
Here are some things you can do to correct overbonding in pet birds:
1. Bird's favorite person must first establish herself/himself as the flock leader.
No, not you being the boss of the household - but between you and the bird, you must be the one that dominates. Never use force, punishment, anger or anything abusive. Use nurturing dominance - love with firm rules. That means when you ask your bird to step up, you persist lovingly until he does, ( as opposed to his growl and bites making you walk away). The bird must understand that he follows your lead, and not the other way around. It is fairly easy for the favorite person to establish this, as the bird already trusts you and wants to be with you. All you need to do is to make sure that the fun you both have, is through you leading the way, and not your feathered friend.
2. Know what the bird's favorite foods, treats, and toys are.
The non-favorite person(s) should be the one to regularly offer the bird its favorite treat, hand him his favorite toy, and feed his his favorite dishes. It may refuse to take it from that person the first time, but don't give up. When the bird is ready to play or eat, he will accept it from this person.
3. Sing along.
You will already notice that the bird will sing along or imitate its favorite person's voice and song. Know which are the ones he enjoys, and have the non-favorite person sing that same song around the bird. The bird will probably be quiet in the beginning, but if that person continues a song or word the bird already knows with enthusiasm, it will eventually join in with that not-so-favorite person. It's a sign of "flock acceptance" when he does.
4. Take outdoor trips.
If the bird enjoys outdoor trips, have the non-favorite person take this bird out on those trips - may it be car rides or a walk outside. Of course you must make sure that this person is well knowledgeable about bird care and know how to handle and protect them outdoors. Also when in an unfamiliar place (like being in a store it has not seen before) the bird tends to gravitate closer towards its human - being that it's the only familiar person to the bird knows. Hold him close to you and protect the bird - be its hero.
5. NO reward for aggression.
Although it seems obvious - DO NOT reward your bird when it shows aggression to others. Laughing is a reward. It's up to the favorite person to encourage the bird to like others, and don't award if he tries to be mean. Keep encouraging until he steps up on the person (or whatever it is you were trying to get him to do) and then both favorite and non favorite person must praise the bird lavishly.
6. Go away on vacations.
This would probably help your well being too, not just the bird's. Having pet birds also means having a life. Take short vacations each year and that allows your bird to be taken care of by other knowledgeable bird human(s). Check in often while you're gone - but you'll know that they are in good hands and having a good time while you are too. And you come home to a happy, well socialized bird, that's anxiously waiting to see you again.
7. Method of transportation.
Let the non-favorite person be the one to transport the bird from its cage to its playpen, or from somewhere to you (whom he loves to be with). If the bird wants to come out of its cage, or go somewhere bad enough, he will step up on this person. Picture this: The end of the room is where the bird is in his cage, the other end is you and the bird can see you. The non-favorite person opens the door of his cage, points to you and stay step up. You encourage from where you stand. The bird will eventually understand that to get to you, he has to step up on this person (he MUST know what step up means beforehand).
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Aggression is pet birds is a learnt behavior. When you do something the bird doesn't want you to, it will nicely tell you not to, by nibbling on your hand, or sometimes even push your hand aside or nicely carry it and move it away. If you persist you're teaching the bird to get more aggressive and bite. Don't let it get to that point. If it doesn't want something, pull back while it's still being gentle, and talk to him sweetly before trying again - if you absolutely need him to do whatever you're asking for. Or stop when you sense he's not ready for something, and move on to something that it enjoys. Focus more on getting positive praises from things your bird does.
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If your bird tries to bite your hand when it shouldn't, give it a quick little wobble (not a big "earthquake"), and the bird will have to catch its balance and stop biting. |
Do that with a firm "NO", and most intelligent birds will be discouraged to continue doing so. Be aware that birds also use their beaks like a third hand, to help them get around. A bird that is putting its beak on your hand may not be biting you, but rather trying to gain its balance, or testing to see if your hand if firm enough for it to step on. Always firm your grip before asking a bird to step-up on it.
It's also a natural behavior for birds in the wild to lunge or swipe at each other when they are angry. Many times you can see that coming if you know your bird and read them well. Avoid bringing that behavior out in them, by anticipating their reaction before doing something. The bird's favorite person is the most critical one here, in helping the bird to correct any overbonding behavior it has learnt from a previous time. It can be done.
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