Parrot puberty

[Khaiqha]

I was just wondering if all parrots go through a rough puberty like ringnecks do. I'm asking in generalities, as I know every bird is unique. My first irn had a really mild bluffing stage, but my current bird has hit it like an angsty, emo punk teen.

[Cage Cleaner]

I think so, yes. I've read about it quite a bit. My only personal experience is with my GCC, however, whom I adopted at age two. He came to me being a difficult little snot, and has since mellowed out, two years later.

He had a mildly bad biting problem that he developed with his previous owner, where he would puff up, lunge, and say "don't bite". He would bite in general. In fact, he would look at you and bite down, waiting for a reaction. Just about every time he bit, he would draw blood.

He would also rush across the cage and attempt to bite if you put your hand on it. He had a bit of a screaming problem as well. People like to advertise GCC's as "apartment safe" but, in this one's case at least, that is complete bullshit.

He used to be completely fearless, and rush everything that was new, acting aggressively. Now, however, his first instinct is to back away. I kind of miss how he used to be bigger than he really is, but only because it was so ridiculous.

Anyway, the point is that yes, his biting behavior and screaming as well as general obnoxiousness has more or less gone away, leaving some residual issues that are no big deal. Whether or not it was completely hormones or training as well, I wouldn't know for sure. I'd say it was a bit of both.

I dealt with it mainly by keeping him busy with learning tricks and words. He is rather amazingly smart, especially for a little brat, and having a "job" I believe kept him busy and more in line.

[Khaiqha]

Yeah, I'm waiting for the day my bird will mellow out, he was the calmest bird I've ever known before puberty.

Pretty much the only way I can guarantee interaction with him without a mood swing is through training. It's like trying to get a kid to calm down by focusing him on his studies. I wish he wasn't clipped, I feel like he could burn off some energy flying, and could at least fly away from me when he wants to perch instead of getting aggressive.

[Cage Cleaner]

The best way to train them out of biting/aggressiveness is to prevent it in the first place. In order to do this, try to learn to read the parrot's body language and see it coming before it happens.

Signs vary from bird to bird, but in general include: pinning eyes, puffed feathers, chewing on the foot, lowering head, and raising wings. When you see your bird acting aggressively, put it back, and turn your back on it. This is birdy lingo for saying that you've lost interest in it.

It also prevents the bite because you can predict the bite/bitchiness, and am removing yourself from the vicinity before it reaches fruition.

Once the bird learns that acting like a little snot doesn't get anything done, the behavior will lesson.