I've had him for 12 1/2 years and he's 13 years old. He used to be nice and sweet, but he's gotten very territorial about his cage. I know you have to make them step up, but if I keep my hand in front of him to step, he nails me. I can tell when he wants to step up, but when he hesitates, I stop trying. I do not pull my hand away when he's ready to step. I don't want to create an impression that he can't trust me, but when he won't step up on the first try, I wait and try again later. He can be very sweet, but only when he wants to. It's driving me crazy that he rules me instead of me ruling him!
2006-09-20 09:36:17 · 6 answers · asked by elovingfos 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
I believe he's getting territorial. This might involve hormones and it might not.
May I suggest you change the location of the cage? This might be an immediate fix. Not permanant, but he might respond to the location change with a little less aggression for a while.
Read up on Positive Reinforcement Training.
There is a rule of thumb:
Never make yor bird do anything it doesn't want it to do.
It is your job to train him to want to do what you ask.
Think about this: You ask him to step up. He nails your hand when you offer it.
At this point, simply withdraw your hand, shut the cage door and walk away.
This is the worst thing that can happen to him!
He's thinking, "Oh my God! I wanted to come out! I love to come out! Why couldn't I come out?"
In 5 minutes offer your hand again. Use a treat if you must. You have to get him to want to do what you want. If he tries it again, repeat the closing of the cage and walk away. He will eventually figure out that the biting thing isn't getting him out. His behavior is not accomplishing getting out of his cage. Eventually he will change his behavior. One doesn't continue to repeat behaviors that don't work for them.
There are other factors involved as well. He may just not be in the mood to come out. If he is in breeding condition, he is going to be crabby and out of sorts. You simply shouldn't handle him when he is like this because he is not good company. Ever had a bad day?
You don't feel like hanging out with anyone.
Be understanding that he just isn't up to being with you and let him be.
It might take a while. Hang in there and be patient. This is not easy.
But there is a lot of information on the Web. Do some research and see if what his behavior matches up to symptoms that you can locate.
I am hoping things go well for you.
Good Luck.
2006-09-20 10:13:50 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umbrella cockatoos are the most cuddly of the cockatoos. I have found that most of them do not get the attention that they require. And your problems fit this to a tee. Unless you are ready to spend the time with them as required by most children, expect behavior that I would term contrary. Give him a bath more often, they love to be sprayed. Eat with him, they love to socialize at dinner time. Make sure you have a good fresh variety of food for him. the more you handle him the more he will enjoy it. Left to be alone and he will become a loner and resentful to all. good luck, enjoy your friend.
2006-09-20 09:50:24 · answer #2 · answered by axioms2000 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Phoenix- the only time I have ever had to force a bird was during initial training of young lovebirds and parakeets who were not hand fed to get them to land on my hand-and really it was a matter of patience, determination, and what they probably thought of as badgering- it takes awhile to build trust in that situation- your bird knows what is expected- and cockatoos crave attention-in any form-when he misbehaves-just go away-then you take all the fun out of his game- but be sure to reward him with plenty of attention when he behaves and also when you aren't actually asking anything of him- don't make it all a contest.
2006-09-20 22:43:54 · answer #3 · answered by mistshevious 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm very sorry to hear about your problem.
I don't have alot of experience with aggression, but here is a link with an article about it which might prove helpful:
http://www.parrothouse.com/sf4.html
2006-09-20 09:47:48 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SOUNDS LIKE IT IS TIME TO DO SOME MAJOR CAGE OVERHAULING...ESPECIALLY CLEANING. SOUNDS LIKE FIRST HE IS BECOMING TERRITORIAL AND SECOND HORMONIAL. ALSO YOU MAY WANT TO USE A STICK TO GET HIM TO STEP UP AND MOVE TO A NEUTRAL AREA WHEN STARTING OUT.
2006-09-20 09:44:24 · answer #5 · answered by baptism_by_fire_2000 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Along with the other suggestions you might lower his cage so that he is not higher than you are
2006-09-20 11:26:35 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋