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Pi behaviour help

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Pi behaviour help

Postby ViciousPeasant » Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:50 am

I've had my Pi for over a month now and I'm running into a few behaviour issues with him.
He's goes through periods throughout the day where he will randomly (and I mean flick of a switch behaviour change) start pacing back and forth with very fast movements. Its hard to explain, but he stands up tall, back to me with his head tilted. And will move back and forth very quickly, whilst at the same time squawking quite loudly. If I try to touch him he will bite hard and repeatedly. Sometimes this will escalate to biting the perch or cage.

When he bites me I don't do anything, don't move or say anything just let him bite, so I can't see myself encouraging him.

Now he's clearly very unhappy about something causing this at times but I can't understand what. I thought it might be bordem but I've literally just put new toys into his cage and as soon as he got out the cage he went off on one again so I don't know. Food "sometimes" calms him down but not often.

Now one interesting note is he likes to fly to the top of the shelves in the kitchen, now when he's up there he is ALWAYS defensive, and I mean always. You could be giving him a scratch 30sec before but as soon as he goes up there I know if I offer him a hand to step up I know I'll get s bloody finger back!! He also will sometimes go into like an almost aggressive preening, not plucking as such but preening rapidly.

This has only started in the last week or so, and as far as I can tell he's not in any stress. I will ocasionly find down feather on the bottom of his cage or his sleeping cage but I think that is down to preening not plucking.

Any ideas. I could just be being paranoid but it's quite hard to predict when hes going to do it so I'm struggling to norris down the roots of this frustration.

He's a 5month old blue head if it helps
ViciousPeasant
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Gender: This parrot forum member is male
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Re: Pi behaviour help

Postby kaylayuh » Fri Apr 01, 2011 8:57 am

Did this behavior start after you put the new toys in there? He may not like the toys.
"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
- Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
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kaylayuh
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Re: Pi behaviour help

Postby ViciousPeasant » Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:17 am

No the toys where added today and he loves them, this started some time ago.
I'ts your regular pissed off parrot behaviour, it's just the cause that's baffling me.
Just before I started typing this he was squeaking and climbing about his cage like he does when he wants to get out. So I let him out, he climbed onto the top of the cage and swiftly turned around and bit me. Now he's squawking again.

I just don't understand what he's after, or doesn't like. It's baffling me, and I'm dying to get it sussex as he was so sweet before he started these temper tantrums.

Another completely odd thing is he will only let me scratch him when he's in this mood (not always tho), all of which only adds to my confusion.
ViciousPeasant
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Gender: This parrot forum member is male
Posts: 9
Number of Birds Owned: 1
Types of Birds Owned: Pionus
Flight: Yes

Re: Pi behaviour help

Postby kaylayuh » Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:40 am

Another thread about a screaming baby bird suggested that he may be looking to be handfed. I don't have experience with this, so hopefully someone else chimes in. But I've noticed with my particular birds that they get grumpy, scream and bite when they're either hungry, tired, or afraid of a toy/person.

Because he's still a baby, he may also be testing his boundries now that he's feeling secure in his home. Unfortunately, sometimes you lose skin when you own a bird. I wouldn't completely ignore the bird if he truly sounds distressed when he's screaming, and I'd reinforce that biting is not acceptable behavior.
"Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
- Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird
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kaylayuh
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Gender: This parrot forum member is female
Posts: 912
Location: Pennsylvania, USA
Number of Birds Owned: 3
Types of Birds Owned: 2 Budgies
1 Green Cheek Conure
Flight: Yes

Re: Pi behaviour help

Postby ViciousPeasant » Fri Apr 01, 2011 9:57 am

Update: I've noticed a few things.
It's not hunger, he's got three bowels of separate foods so has a verity to choose from, yet early today decided to attack (and I mean attack, not play) a toy in his cage. I've also noticed he's started perching on one leg, again he's never done this before (only at night) so somethings clearly different. There's a possibility he's pooping less but I can't be certain.

He's frustrated with something. He's basically very out of character. It's upsetting me as I can clearly see he's unhappy but I've no idea what to do. Oh and After watching him I'm beginning to think he might actually be plucking a small but.

He has plenty of attention, but doesn't really play as such. I do training with him daily, which is when he gets his treats.

I'm so confused....any ideas??
ViciousPeasant
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Gender: This parrot forum member is male
Posts: 9
Number of Birds Owned: 1
Types of Birds Owned: Pionus
Flight: Yes


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