Inevitable "One Person Bird?"

[Elizebird]

First off, my hand raised baby cockatoo, is not very trusting. He is just letting me really play around with him, but we still have a lot to learn, and our relationship becomes stronger all the time.

Since I know larger birds CAN tend to be one person oriented, I have let dozens of people handle and pet him, under my supervision. He was always slightly uncomfortable, even by bird experienced people, but never struck out.

And then he started lunging at people when they went to give him scritches or pet him - things he LOVES when I do them. I figured this was because he liked to be respected and was prideful, and told everyone not to pet him without his 'permission' - basically give him a big warning and talk to him and move very slowly.

This improved things until he began lunging at people doing even this. Now he lunges at people who are even near him, even people he knows well (family members, my mother who especially made an effort to bond with him.)

Since his bites at first were weak, I encouraged the braver people to ignore the bites so he wouldn't use the bad habit. But they got so aggressive he is now drawing blood and raising his crest dramatically. I think he is particularly against males, especially young boys.

Is there anything I can do at this point? I tried so hard to make sure he could be handeled by everyone.

Please, I would love some help.

[marie83]

Its possible you tried too hard too soon if he wasn't very trusting to begin with. At first he was scared and just went along with it but now he has more confidence he has started sticking up for himself rather than going along with it.

I would scrap letting people pet him for the moment and encourage them to engage with him in other ways like giving him a tasty treat, sitting and talking to him with no touching or maybe a bit of target training so their hands aren't too close to the bird to start off with (you will probably need to train him to target first if he doesn't already know it). Start small and from a distance and as he becomes more trusting in people then they can start getting closer to him.

[JacobBird]

I would say to leave the bird alone for a day or two. Then go play, train, bond, etc with your bird and make him forget the past and make him think everything is fine now. After this stage, bring a friend with you and approach the bird slowly. I would suggest you doing everything first before your friend does it. For example, you pet him before he pets him. It will take time but soon he will get used to it (:

[Elizebird]

Thank you both. I didn't think that I pushed it since I made sure he was always very comfy, but not he will purposely go after strangers.

I will try both of your recommendations but I believe he is also defending me: i.e., targeting people nearest me.

JacobBird, I don't think I could leave him alone for two days. He has a big cage, a bunch of toys, but we have a relative routine so that he at the very minimum gets an hour a day, though mostly a lot more. But maybe I'll 'play' with my friend and so he'll also want to try it. Just hoping that doesn't stir up jealousy.

[marie83]

If you think it may be a jealousy issue then I would just supervise interaction with someone you know (preferable one of your less intimidated friends/relatives) from a distance to start with but still take it slowly just in case it was the fact he was unsure of the new person.
Eventually you can move closer and see if it triggers the agressive reaction, if it is that you can praise any non reactions whilst progressively moving closer.

Take your time, patience will nearly always win through

[pennyandrocky]

you're right elizebird, not a good idea to leave your too alone for a few days they need constant attention. read his body language to see if he wants attention from others don't force him to submit to anyones attention if he's not into it.keep the younger kids at a safe distance for now most birds are put off by fast movements of children. we've had my for over a year and she just this week has decided to hang out with my 7 year old son. she loves to watch my son play with his friends but only from the top of a hutch out of their reach. she just started last week coming down when there are neighbor kids in the house but she sits right in my lap and watches them while i pet her.

[Elizebird]

Thank you all.

I'm feeling more hopeful since we have found one person who he loves - my sister (similar in age and has bird experience.) He has never lunged or bit her, and willingly goes to her for attention.

He will tolerate my mother. :/