Beware hormone season

[Vikki]

Just a forewarning that its that hormonal time of the year again and even experienced handlers dealing with birds that love and know them are still unpredictable.... trust me I know.

[zazanomore]

So far, no abnormal changes in behavior. This is Einstein's first spring (he hatched in May), and the budgies weren't of sexual maturity when I got them last Spring.

No additional chewing, aggression, or nesting behaviors.

[kaylayuh]

I wonder if that could explain Cheney Bird's biting of my chin and lips. The rescue said it was new behavior for him.

Looks painful, that does. How did you react when the bird did it? I have a bad habit of yelping when Cheney Bird latches on to my chin.

[Vikki]

I've been bitten many times, though never this bad on the face, so I didn't really react aside from shaking the bird to get him to let go (works well with large birds, disorient their balance and they focus elsewhere) and put him back in his cage. No yelling, screaming or anger, just a quick dash for bathroom.

[GlassOnion]

Oh my goodness! Should you be getting stiches?

[Vikki]

It looks worse than it is. Wasn't deep enough for stitches. Put on some butterfly strips and I'm a bit worse for wear but I'm ok.

[idlepirate]

how long does this usually last? loros been super agressive as well attacking or biting for no reason, thought that was just from leaving him while i was on holiday but hes turning one year this month and its spring. plus he keeps trying to hump everybodys feet (and then the next minute if the feet turn him down hell just viciously attack them)
madness.....
what can be done to help the situation?just tolerate it or stay out of their way more?

[Vikki]

Yup, happens twice a year (spring is worse) and it usually lasts a month, sometimes two. Best way to deal is just to deal and be wary. If your bird is really agressive, give him some camomille tea, it helps.

[idlepirate]

camomile tea!i drink that:) how do you give the bird though? just a few sips while I drink it in the cup or in his water bowl in the morning?
the other thing is, does it help putting the bird to bed earlier? if they get more sleep maybe...
i heard the whole longer light hours affects them alot. at the moment i put him to bed at 8:30pm and he wakes up about 7ish when i let him out (he does his own thing or usually rests a bit longer on his bungi while i go back to bed)
thank you so much for this thread its lorenzos first spring and i dont know how to handle it so its great to get some advice

[kaylayuh]

idlepirate, it helped me putting them to bed earlier. The budgies aren't so hormonal, but my GCC definitely is. I had to switch his cage cover to an old comforter though. The sheet I was using was too light and he'd end up waking up at 6 a.m.!

I give my GCC juice in a clear glass. I tried putting it in his water dish and he refused to touch it. I tried in a small saucer and he refused to touch it. The only thing he'll drink it out of is a tall clear glass. You could just cool the tea down and let him drink from a cup. Don't drink out of the cup before him, though. Our mouth bacteria can be harmful to birds.