[gu1tarjohn]

Hey Y'all...

Well, Rex is STILL being a little green demon. I've tried rearranging his cage, rotating toys, taking him to another room (where he can't see his cage) and working with him there, the "rescue" technique, refusing to let him ever be higher up than me, toweling him to show dominance, nothing works. He's just out of control, like a jerry springer attraction. (no exaggeration)

I love him SOOOOOOOOOOO much, but I HAVE to do something... He attacks when you try to pick him up, he will fly at your face and try to attack it, he will attack the hand he's perching on, it really is killing me! All I want is to be friends.

To make things worse - He's so used to being in trouble that if he's out of his cage standing on top of it and sees me coming toward the cage, he runs inside and makes his "I'm in trouble" noises. I have to tell him "it's ok, baby, you're a goooood birdie" a bunch of times, and he says it with me, but then he goes right back into flesh-eating demon parrot mode.

I just want for us to be buddies, but this demon-bird behavior will not fly (pardon the pun). My Pop used to have his Grey's wings clipped when she got into being a brat (which ALWAYS WORKED LIKE A CHARM), but Rex LOVES flying around, and I don't want to take that away from him.

Please help (if you can) - I'm totally out of ideas. This makes me sooooo sad. He's such a smart and lovable little green chicken, but I can't live with this behavior. Something has to give.

P.S. - Sorry to be so dramatic, but it's just awfull

[kalipso2]

i know you don't want to hear this but i think clipping his wings may be the only thing to do at this point.

clip the wings and work with him again by doing all the things you did before. when you get him to accept you then you can let the feathers grow back.

[lg2312]

i know you don't want to hear this but i think clipping his wings may be the only thing to do at this point.

clip the wings and work with him again by doing all the things you did before. when you get him to accept you then you can let the feathers grow back.

Exactly what I was thinking. If nothing else works and you are at the point of giving up, I think it is worth a shot to do it one time to see if you can make some headway.

Good luck!

[Casey's Mom]

I have to agree with Lisa and Kris... I'd get his wings clipped, I know you don't want to but, it sounds like he needs it. Then he won't be able to fly away from you and won't be able to fly and attack, he'll have to rely more on you.

Good luck! It sounds like you're trying really hard.

[Carrie~Anne]

You know, wing clipping isn't permanent. Why not clip him, and then continue to work with him? You may be surprised at how his response changes with clipped wings. His wings will grow back.

Something else...using a towel for dominance is never a good idea in my book. Using it in other ways can work though. Playing peak a boo with a bird is something that they usual love. Birds like nesty type places and using a towel to try and train can work wonders. It isn't the same as wrapping the bird up tight in the towel and making him sit still while you pet him. That can make them afraid and hate the towel.

[Quakermom]

many people will tell you that flying quakers show dominance over their owners simply because they can outfly them... I should know ive seen birds go from eveil to calm in a matter of minutes because they know they have to depend on you..

i suggest the wing clip because that means they have to depend on you and that way he will learn to turst you, which means less biting and more earing trust here is a link for the "new " wing clipping techique

http://www.exoticpet...avian/clip.html

When I had Rocky, he was nasty when i got him, I clipped his wings and no he's as sweet as sugar..

remember it takes time for him to trust you. then again if he's hormonal add the dominancy thing and oh boy..!! also how many hours does he get of sleep? that could attribute to the "nastiness"

hugs!!

[Flock Mom]

hey, I hear ya, I've had my quaker over a year now and it is still trial and error and I never offer naked skin to her!!! The ONE thing I have found as a positive tool for Hannah, especially (only, rather) if you clip those wings...

Put Rex on the floor (clean, not slippery, safe yet unfamiliar) and work on "step ups" there. He will be more than excited to get a lift if he is as low as he can get. Sounds a little like he "needs to need you" which means a wing clip is an order at least for now. Also, instead of getting in that negative attack mind set, no blame on you I do it too (everyday). This article http://www.thegabrie...DFFiles/ABC.pdf
it is in PDF form, let me know if you can't open it. I found it very helpful when I was starting out.

[Reds Parront]

I totally agree with everyone else, you may just have to break down and clip his wings. I know what you are saying about wanting him to be able to fly, but like Carrie said, it's not permanent. A big factor in Red's change in behavior was getting her clipped. She's growing them back now, but is still lovey to me (when she wants to be of course, lol). If she starts being a brat again, bet money that her wings will be the first thing to go, just because she isn't totally where I want her to be yet with behavior. She's pretty close, though

[Jan Cullen]

I know this might sound crazy but can you look at it from the bird's point of view? I have done this with Shah a couple of times and have been surprised at what I found out. This past weekend, Shah has been unsettled, screaming and biting. It was really annoying me and I assumed it was hormonal. He was out of his cage and hanging out with me most of the time but his behaviour was appalling. When I sat down and thought about what was going on, I felt it was because he was trying to get my attention. Sure enough, he just wanted his head scratched and I was too busy being distracted by other things to fulfil his needs - so he was throwing massive temper tantrums to get attention. The one thing that gave it away when I thought about it was that he was constantly bashing my hands with his beak - I linked the hand bashing with something that he wanted my hand to do - head scratch. Pretty fanciful I know but it turned out to be exactly what he wanted. So just try and look at it from the bird's perspective and see what you come up with. How do you think the bird sees you - does he think he will get into trouble everytime you show up? Are you fearful of approaching him? These are smart little critters and if you are stressed at all about being near him, he will pick it up. Try doing some fun things like singing to him - and dont forget to bob your head while you are singing - put his name into the words of a song. I sometimes read childrens' books to Shah - and make the appropriate sounds just for something different to do with him. I laugh a lot with him and he loves to laugh too (pretty scary for people around us though - my laughter in stereo). Anyway, these are just ideas I thought might help both you and your baby. Please dont give up on him. Everyone on this forum will help and support you through this difficult time.

[gu1tarjohn]

Hey every one!

Sorry to not reply sooner, I've been quite busy. I REALLY appreciate all the GREAT advice! 1st thing on the list - wing clipping. I didn't want to do it, but like several of you have said, it can work wonders as an attitude-adjuster. It worked like a champ for my Pop's fid too. I like the working with him on the floor idea, as well as the singing songs and inserting Rex's name thins, thats kewl too.

As far as how Rex sees me - I'm HIS person, I feed him, give him water, teach him almost all of his words/sounds, give him almost all of his attention, etc. I'm also the diciplinarian. He knows that if he misbehaves, I'm the one he's in trouble with. He has real attacking issues with my g/f too for some reason. If he's out of his cage, he will fly right to her, land on her head, and start attacking her hair and pecking her head really hard.

As far as fear/anxiety of approaching the bird, there's really none. I've figured out how to not get bit most of the time, and he can't usually break the skin when he does manage to bite me.

I think his awful behavior is mostly because he's being emotional, hormonal, and trying to be alhpa-bird all at once. So, the wings must go! LOL And, he's going to get a lot more attention away from his cage and working on the floor as well.

Thanks again, every one, for your great advice! I'll keep y'all posted once I can get his wings clipped.

[TJ Maj's Mom]

Sounds like he is looking at the g/f as a threat. She is taking away from Rex's time with you. When I first got my little guy he was that way with me (I am the "mommy", the play mate, and the one he likes to preen, and DH is the authority figure) we started spending time with him together and he seems to do better now. He only gets jealous if we kiss or make kiss noises and don't include him.

[Quakermom]

good job, keep working with him and if you need anymore help we're here