Attack Senegal

[MaineFiddler]

Well Clyde has developed a new and disturbing behavior. I still live at home with my folks, and Clyde really hates my mother (he doesn't like anyone in the house really, but my mom is his favorite one to hate), but he tolerates her just enough to take treats from. He is fully flighted and has now just started to 'dive bomb' my mother and will try to bite her scalp. Not good. Is there anything I can do to modify this behavior without wing clipping? I'll clip if I have to, but I want that to be the LAST resort.

[MaineFiddler]

P.S. When I let Clyde out, I've had my mom wear my safety orange baseball hat. Clyde still tries to swoop over her head, but he doesn't land (yet...). at least for the time being there is some protection for my mother's scalp.

[sidech]

I don't know about stopping the behavior, but I know one thing for sure, your mom is not going to tolerate having to wear a helmet in her own home for very long !

What do you do when he does this ?

[patdbunny]

If you can't stop the behavior and you're really not willing to clip him, you need to keep him caged when your mom's around or keep him in your room where he can't get her. If it were my parents way back when, my parents would have made me get rid of the bird.

When you eventually move out and get married or live w/ a significant other, you can't let Clyde attack your "other". Trust me. An obnoxious bird is a huge bone of contention in a relationship. I know from experience. It will come down to the ultimatum "It's me or the bird." That kind of strife is no fun and many a bird has lost its home, but you still have a lot of resentment in the relationship.

[MaineFiddler]

Quite honestly, I don't really know the best way to react. As soon as he lands on her head, he is pronptly removed and placed back in the cage. Fortunetly my mom has been a good sport and stays calm and waits for me to remove Clyde. This is a new behavior and am hoping to get this nipped in the bud. But if I can't modify this behavior, I'll clip his wings. I was hoping to try something else before I get the scissors out.

[MaineFiddler]

I trimmed Clyde's wings this morning.
I gave Clyde one last chance to redeem himself. Within 30 seconds of being out of the cage, he flew to my mom's shoulder aand sucker-punched her. Definetly being very cocky. So I had to take him down a peg or two.
Maybe if he behaves himself, he'll get his pilot's license back.

[Dave]

"pilots license"