#257696 - 01/04/15 03:39 AM
Re: Cuddly and sweet, than attacking and biting.
[Re: Christy Canning]
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 151
hellococky
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Member
 

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 151
Victoria, Australia
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Hi Christy, I want to start with saying I'm no expert, but I have been through the same situation as you, so want to offer some words of encouragement & common sense. As the others said, READ UP, use the search facility, go to 'advanced' selection, select 'subject only' & type in stuff like 'hormonal behavior', 'aggression' & topics related to your problems, you will find lots of information, advice & words of encouragement, I have found doing this really puts my mind at ease once I see others have the same concerns as me & how they dealt with it. Don't get disheartened, & more importantly don't take it personally, I know it's hard, I've been through this & it really hurts, & not just where he bit you! There is a possibility that the home before you was his first & they had him since he was a baby, therefore he hasn't bitten as he hasn't got to that stage yet. Also possible that you may not have been told the truth as sometimes people want to rehome the bird quickly so withhold any negative traits...I'm just guessing as you haven't told us the background in detail. As others said, it's really important to read his body language, as behaviour (all behaviour) is communication, there will be something he does just before he bites that you must recognise, that is him 'telling' you to back off, you must listen when he 'tells' you this. Your bird is also just getting used to his new environment & you must remember that is stressful to him. Give him some space, & to protect yourself, when you offer your hand, do it with a closed fist (back of your hand uppermost & no fingers showing), just like you would a strange dog, that way you can pull away quickly if he decides he wants to have a go, & that way he can't get hold of your fingers, I always do this with Sam at first, as I can gauge his receptiveness to me, if he has that 'bitey look' (I have learned with him this means squinting the eyes, turning the head slightly away & sometimes slightly ruffled feathers) I don't even offer my hand, just walk away & try again later, don't ever get angry with him, this will only make matters worse. Also don't let him see you distressed, he will pick up on that & feed off your emotions, again making things worse, better to walk away & come back with a more positive attitude when you can. You must get him examined by an Avian Vet asap, he or she will also give you some good advice & rule out any health issues which may influence behaviour. Don't stress, these are early days & all part of the process of having a new cockatoo, read, read, read...for the sake of you, your bird & your family. It will get better, you will get better (at reading & relating to your bird), stay positive, knowledge is power & you have come to the right place to gain all the knowledge you will need! Good luck!
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Cheers, Tracy-Ann & Sam
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#257698 - 01/04/15 07:21 PM
Re: Cuddly and sweet, than attacking and biting.
[Re: Christy Canning]
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,146
EchosMom
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Chained to the Computer
   

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,146
Florida, USA
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... letting him think he's above us. I gave him one last chance to come out of his cage tonight. With a mindset/approach like these two statements, you will continue to be bitten and this poor bird will end up being -re-homed again. Your relationship must be one of mutual respect and there should never be a last chance. End interaction on a positive note. Do not continue to engage him until he bites. Watch and learn his body language. Trust me he is giving you other signals but you are missing them, so he resorts to biting because that cue you get. Please continue to read and ask questions and don't take things personally from your bird or any replies here. We are a nice, helpful group, but don't sugarcoat things. I don't see that you answered so I'll ask again. Have you taken the bird to an avian vet? Also, hope you don't mind my asking...how old are you?
Birds are angels who lift us up when our own wings forget how to fly.
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world - indeed it is the only thing that ever has!" ~~~ Margaret Meade ~~~ Noelle, A Rehabilitation in Progress
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#257700 - 01/04/15 11:13 PM
Re: Cuddly and sweet, than attacking and biting.
[Re: Christy Canning]
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,791
BE2Cassie
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,791
Wrentham, MA
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Christy it's all in how you take it. Everyone is trying to help you, you have to be open to the content of replies. For starters cockatoos do not have a pecking order, you need to dismiss that misconception. And you still have not answered have you taken him to an avian vet yet? This is very important, behaviors can be caused by illness. Birds are able to hide illness until they are on deaths door. Please bring him if you haven't already. And yes he will be showing signs you just haven't been with him long enough to know what they are. Watch his eyes, feathers, crest and stance closely when you are interacting with him. Sit back and watch his behaviors with others in your family. What Echo's Mom is saying is spot on, you won't find a better person for information.
Nancy & Cassie BE2
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#257701 - 01/04/15 11:24 PM
Re: Cuddly and sweet, than attacking and biting.
[Re: Christy Canning]
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 151
hellococky
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Member
 

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 151
Victoria, Australia
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The pecking order theory / strategy you mentioned is something that, like the pack order in dogs, people will differ in their opinions (quite heatedly in many cases), read & do some research on the matter. Regardless of your personal opinion on the issue now is not the time to 'assert your authority'. As was said previously now you must build a relationship of MUTUAL RESPECT, this will take patience & understanding on your part & you have more to learn than your bird does, as he already knows about people, you (presumably) know little about birds, cockatoos in particular. He is giving you signals, believe me, you may not recognise them yet, but he definitely is, they are not as obvious as human / mammal signals, but they are there, one day you will get it, open your mind first, then your eyes, it will come eventually, meanwhile keep calm & take precautions to prevent further injury (do not use gloves though, he will freak out & it will set you back further). I realised you meant "last chance for the night", but in all seriousness, should you have pushed it when he had already 'told' you to back off? If you can't see the subtle (pre-bite) signals, at least get the obvious ones, if not you are going to get seriously hurt & this bird will end up needing another home & going through this process once more, this is what was meant in the last comment. We are all on your side & trying to help you & your bird, but you have to be open to it & accept that to learn anything you have to take the negative & positive advice, but surely you know that right? You sound like a mature young woman (yes, age isn't that important, & we don't mean to judge you, it just sometimes helps to understand your level of comprehension & makes it easier for us to explain in the best way so you can learn faster) & you've come here, & are doing your research & asking for advice, therefore showing that you mean to do right by your bird, & we thank you for it, keep up the good work :-) PS: it seems that Nancy & I were writing at the same time...her (& Echo's Mom) advice is coming from a much more experienced person than me, please listen to it...& get your bird to the vet (Avian vet, not regular small animal vet), its so important, I've read some awful stories of people taking their birds to the vet only when the bird displayed signs of illness to find the bird died in the waiting room or in the examination room, all because they waited too long (if a bird looks sick, its most likely too late). Your vet will give you great advice regarding training, behaviour & diet too, make a list of all the things you need to know & take it with you, he/she will be happy to help you. Please make an appointment, for the sake of your bird if nothing else.
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Cheers, Tracy-Ann & Sam
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#257703 - 01/05/15 12:44 AM
Re: Cuddly and sweet, than attacking and biting.
[Re: Christy Canning]
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 151
hellococky
Member
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Member
 

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 151
Victoria, Australia
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Well done, good to see you've made the decision to take him for a check up, we look forward to hearing how it went. Glad to hear of your determination to stick by your bird, remember that when times get tough, as they will. You (& he) have many adjustments to come to terms with in the coming months, its important to always stay positive & don't ever give up, remember, he's counting on you, & you are not the only one who is frustrated when things seem like they are going wrong. When in doubt ask questions, that's what this forum (& the awesome people who dedicate their time to it) is here for, the only stupid question is the one you didn't ask! :-)
If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem Cheers, Tracy-Ann & Sam
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