My Senegal bites me and doesn't like me anymore?

[Amy Chang]

It's a long story. My Senegal parrot is going to drive me insane and I'm really sad about her behavior.

I have a female Senegal parrot with orange vest, named Puff. She is going to be 3 years old this month. I brought her back when she was 2 months old.

I love her a lot and she is really a cute bird. Although she sometimes bites people including my family, my friends and me, most of the time she is very docile and like me to pet her.

However, she doesn't love me anymore and I cannot figure out why...

Things happened in last Wednesday. Last Wednesday afternoon, when I was writing my paper and was focusing on my computer screen, Puff just SUCKER PUNCHED my face!!! Before she bit me, I just petted her and she enjoyed it. However, after 10 minutes, my Senegal parrot jumped and bit my left face! A bird with 140g weight hung on my skin.

There were two big bloody holes on my face (actually these holes do not completely disappear, there are still on my face). Of course, I blamed her loudly and seriously and I also hit her (just the part of her tail, I did not make her pain, just tried to scare her).

Actually I did the same in the past when she bit people but after the blame and slightly hit, she would come to my shoulder, want me pet her. But this time was different!! After I blamed her, Puff did not let me touch her anymore. She looked at me just like a mouse saw a cat. If I approached her, she would fly away and shouted like crying. I deeply regretted for my overreaction and spent three days to make up our relationship.

Finally, in Saturday Puff was willing to let me touch her and in Sunday she wanted me to pet her as the same as before. I even brought her to go shopping and she looked very happy in Sunday and Monday.

Everything became the same as it used to be. But, in Tuesday afternoon when I came bake from school and went the cage to find Puff. She scared and did not let me touch her just like last week. Moreover, she bit my fingers if I try to touch her or try to put my hand into her cage.

I don’t know why she doesn’t like me anymore. Because in Tuesday morning we just played before I go to school.

Now, she would like to fly to my father’s study room and let him touch her, pet her. But she would not be willing to let me approach her but she’s very willing to bite me (there are over 10 bloody cuts on my fingers).

What happen of my bird? Is it the oestrus phenomenon? She’s really driving me nuts! I love my birds and what she does really hurts my heart.

[liz]

She does not hate you. She is just giving you attitude because she thinks she can get away with it. Do you aggrivate your Mom more than your Dad? I did. Mom took care of me and loved me all the time. I only saw Dad when he came home from work and I was a good kid then.

Rambo is mine but when my daughter moved in I became his second person. He only comes to me when she isn't here.

I lucked up some how and mine don't bite to break skin but just clamp down. Except my aunt. He will attack her ankles (he doesn't fly) just to hear her scream.

Other than what I can tell you about mine - I have no suggestions. I'm sure someone with the knowledge of that species will be able to help you more.

[Michael]

Reasons Why Punishment Should Be Avoided With Parrots

At first it sounded just like a moody Senegal Parrot. But when you later mentioned the bird always trying to flee you while screaming, that's a different story. Yeah, sounds like it doesn't like you now and you're going to get punished with a lot of bites before things get back to normal.

As for the biting your face part, sounds like classic Senegal Parrot jealousy. You were paying attention to the computer instead of the parrot so it wanted to remind you to stop cheating and focus on her. My Senegal can get pretty pissed if I give too much attention to my other parrot, another person, or the computer. It's important to try to avoid taking them out when you can't give at least 50%+ of your attention to them.

Well now it's going to be a lot of work for you to make amends. Here is some info that can help get you started:

http://TrainedParrot.com/Taming
How To Overcome One Person Parrot Aggression
Senegal Parrot Biting and Aggression Issues

[Amy Chang]

Thank liz and Michael for your advice.

But I still cannot figure out why Puff forgave me in Saturday and we did have good time from Saturday night to Tuesday morning, but she started to flee from me and avoid my approach from Tuesday afternoon.

I believe that I did not do anything to aggravate her again.

I would like to do everything to make amends. But I still cannot understand why she’s just suddenly afraid of me without any evidence.

[Michael]

Well we can go only based on what you tell us. It's possible that something else happened that you may not have realized. Or the bird could just be going through a hormonal/moody phase. Only time will tell. But some positively reinforced retaming couldn't hurt.

[roc6]

My Senegal Parrot is 6 years old, but when he turned 3 years he changed from being that cutey pie on my shoulder to chomping my ear. Then it went on to my fingers, he would clamp on to them, I have some nice scars. I did a bit of research online and discovered they go through something like teenage years, hormones. I have found ways around it, I use a wooden spoon for step ups instead of my fingers, I also use a vintage style basket to carry him around he loves it. He discovered the basket for himself one day, its has a high handle so nice to sit on. I put some toys in it and it is quite mobile, you have to find ways to stimulate them. I have put things around the computer to keep him amused, mine likes going through tunnels (old granola cereal box opened up)

[Amy Chang]

Thank roc6 and Michael.

I tried your methods and suggestions. They are really useful and we are better in these days. Now she becomes my cute, quiet and tame bird. I can easily pick up her and put my hand inside her cage just like before.

Unfortunately she bit me few hours ago because she mistook my figure as my mother's when she stood on my mom's shoulder. Because my Senegal and I are just reconciled, I did not blame her after this big biting (a piece of flesh almost leaves my finger ).

I would try to find another way to play with my Puff especially under a hormonal and moody phase. She has a mobile basket which I always set behind my bicycle and carry her around. If the sun is shinny and it is not too cold to play, I will use the Aviator Harness to carry her out. Actually she loves the Aviator Harness more than basket that she can stand on my shoulder and watch around. I put some toys in my room so that she can play with toys when I am busy. I tried my best to amuse her. However, mine does't have interest in these toys. She loves to bite my books, my computer keyboard and mouse. Moreover, she starts to disassemble the door of my wooden wardrobe and bookcase in recent months. She's cute but really naughty.

[Michael]

Getting outside or to other places is a very good way to bond. They tend to leave their aggression at home and are more open to new people or not biting those they know.