just got attacked

[viki]

Over the last week my has been aggresive then loving then aggressive, seems to b every second day or so. and so far today he was very happy and dancing and singing. my boyfriend and i have developed a fear for him coz when he bites he wont let go, or he wait for blood. but anyways as today seemed like a good day i sat close to him. iv noticed that sometimes when i make a kissie face at him he sometimes seems to imitate me, as in he sticks his head out as if to let me kiss the top of his beak. and just now as he was doing that he suddenly changed his mind, jumped off his cage, lunged at me and bit my face untill he felt his beak meet. so now iv a hole in my face, blood pouring and i know my bfs going to go mad when he gets home. Iv been fighting to keep this bird all week, begging for more time, saying just give me more time to work with him and he b good then. but hes always bein sayin hes too difficult for new bird owners...im now too scared to disagree and dont know what to do. I love him n dont wanna give him away. I know i was too close for this day, but he gave me no warnings like usual.

[GlassOnion]

Remember the times he bit you and avoid similar situations. If he bites you on the face, don't put your face near the bird. I would suggest you train him to step up on a handheld perch.

[Michael]

Don't put your face so close to the bird. Not the bird's fault. Oh and Senegals can look like they are totally cool with something and then change their mind last second. Kili will bend her neck inviting Truman to preen her and I think in the moment she genuinely wants it but when he gets close she lashes back. I think it's defensive instinct taking over the original goal.

[viki]

I know it was my fault, just wish hed have given me warning. i was petting im and he was licking me and it was all fun untill he flew at me. i thought i was at a safe distance and comfortable for him. obviously not

[ginger]

I have 5 and I have learned that you NEVER let them get close to your face! They are unpredictable. As a matter of fact, all birds are especially around your face. For one thing they can get too excited and get nippy. That excitement may seem like they are inviting you to follow through with a pet, a kiss, or whatever, but then at the last minute they strike out. Please consider using Michale's method of taming your bird before you continue on from here. You're right...it is not the bird's fault. Each and everytime I have been bitten I can look back at the situation and know where I went wrong. Typically it is that I entered into the bird's personal space. Not a good place to be. You really need to build a strong relationship with your bird before you go on from here. One that is built on complete trust. It may not take that long at all, but giving your bird up because of the experience you've just had isn't the answer either. If you feel that you need to give it up, please don't get another bird. Consider a bird rescue where the bird will at least get another chance to have a home that understands birds. All birds bite and I guarantee you will be bitten from time to time no matter what bird you get. Oh, and this goes for budgies too. The size doesn't matter.

[Soarer]

I may be way out there, but I'll share. My ex girlfriend had an Umbrella Cockatoo that was a rescue bird. The bird and I got along great unless I had my glasses on, she did not like glasses. In the beginning of our relationship (me and the bird) it bit and attacked me a few times, only when I had my glasses on. This was a rescue bird and its previous owner wore glasses. I notice that you wear glasses in your profile pic. It's probably a long shot but I thought I would throw it out there.
Good luck.

[Lokums]

Does anyone have a Senegal that doesn't attack and likes kisses? Mine is 6 months old now and right now loves "kisses" and affection. My 9 year old B&G accepts kisses and I have no fear that he will suddenly swiss cheese my cheek, although I don't try if he seems to be in a bad mood. Can I not expect this same behavior with my Senegal?

Thanks,

Mike

[ginger]

Mike, I think you hold the key. You respect your bird's mood and his personal space. If you treat your Senegal the same way, and I'm sure you do, then he/she will probably respond in like fashion.

[viki]

glasses might b part of it alright, because he loves my bf and at the start he used always b looking at my glasses and once he got to my shoulder hes attack them. But i also feel he was not used to people only in a fearful way. Because of all the things the man who sold him to us told us to do, such as spray his with water when hes doing something we dont like, lock him in his cage and ignore him for punishment and give him food in morning and night and take it out between. he also said to take him out only for half n hour in the morning and half n hour at night. So i thing where ever he was before he was with him, they must have treated him like that. Mayb he was reared to fear ppl.
I dont want to give him away, I want to keep trying, but my bf is wworried.
I was sick a few times last night after the bite, and now im worried about him. Mayb hes sick too, he hasnt eaten anything today except a brazil nut and some water, hes sitting quiet and all fluffed up. None of that is normal. The windows not open so he cant b cold. I wish a cuddle would make him feel better. Iv not yet found an avian vet close by so all i can do is take him to the guy who sold him to us to see if he thinks hes ok and can he suggest someone, although i dont trust him.

[viki]

omg hes just puked...
what can i do
omg.....