"Blood Donor"

[chthulhu]

Since we acquired our newest little orange-fronted conure last weekend, this is the "game" we've been playing. I have numerous punctures in my right index finger, and though he's calmed down a little since the first day, he's still *very* aggressive.

At least our male sun conure finds his behavior amusing. <G>

Oh, and the new bird, "BB," is now officially the loudest bird in our collection; his usual "warble" (you can listen to a .WAV file of another bird here: www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/loras_acg/aratinga.html ) makes him sound like the world's largest zebra finch on speed and with the amplifier set to 11.

Does anyone have any ideas about how to get BB to be less aggressive, if not friendly?

[Phill]

Hmmm sounds painful!!

I have no idea though.

[Kylie]

the only thing i can suggest would be either do step up, step down with a spare dowl perch and praise him all the time...and then when hes on your hand, if he leans down to start to bite, jerk your hand lightly. not enough to knock him off, but enough to stop him from bitting...another one is when he goes to bite, hold your hand above his head. we had a greenwing at bird fever who loved to bite...and thats how we stopped him or got him to let go. most birds dont like things above them because they are prey animals. but the jerking of the hand works best. but if he bites and wont let go, tweak his tail or just tap it to distract him. i had to do that with ceily when i first got her. she was like a feathered snapping turtle. lol. and a fun little tip...if you ever get bit by a pet snake, turtle, or reptile...have someone put rubbing alchol on a cotton ball, and hold the cotton ball near the animals nose...they say with snakes to pour it in their eyes and mouth...but that sounds cruel. lol

who knows..you may just have a vampire bird. haha.

good luck

[chthulhu]

Thanks, Kylie. The only ways I can pick him up are with a perch or, in extremes, grabbing him with the glove on (I try not to do that). He steps up readily ont the perch, then runs along it until he can reach my hand to bite it. He doesn't care whether my hand is above him; he'll try to bite it anywhere, in or out of the cage.

I'll keep at it, though; I suspect this behavior is the real reason why his previous owner chose to give him up.

[Kylie]

i have to agree with you about his previous owner...i hate when people get a bird cuz its cool then dont know how to take care of it...like they lose interest in it after a week and think its ok to throw it away or forget about it.

but do the "earthquake" thing with the perch, distract him, and grab the other side of the perch with your other hand...try not to make it a game thou. lol.

the best of luck to ya

[chthulhu]

Progress! BB has calmed down considerably since we bought him a "Corner Cozy," which he *really* likes, in spite of having already half-shredded the thing. This evening he "tasted" my finger without trying to bite, so I risked my lower lip and got kisses. <G>

Now the "Blood Donor" winner is the Voren Strain Mutation Black-capped Conure we're hosting and attempting to socialize a bit. He's about a year old, and very wild, alas.

[Nymphicus]

For biting problems, you might - instead of the usual pull back - try pushing forward (gently!) when they bite. It's worked before on some of my birds . . .

[Kylie]

yea i agree, if you pull your hand back, it becomes a game. lol

im glad to hear your little buddy has calmed down. good luck with this new one!!

you should post some pictures sometime!

[chthulhu]

Ask and ye shall receive. :-)

picasaweb.google.com/chthulhu/BirdsNewAndOld20080907

The last two photos were taken just a few minutes ago. Demi opened BB's cage to swap out a food dish, and he climbed out onto her arm and up to her shoulder. He's been sitting with her about thirty minutes just chattering away and eating Goldfish crackers. <G>

[Phill]

Awww