Talon

I'm so sorry that happened. You just never know what triggers them at times. I have 3 parrots, but one of my greys will get aggressive at times in the kitchen. She will attack an item, a dish, a plate, a pan, a box of plastic wrap, throw dishes & silverware on the floor over & over, boxes of crackers, cereal or pasta. Many times she is fine, but I have to always be on my guard. I am her 4th home & her forever home. so I don't know here history, ( I have had her for 16 1/2 years) I just stay on guard, I think sometimes the sounds of the dishes, or pasta shaking in a box etc. trigger her. I am super cautious when she is around. If possible, can you keep her out of the kitchen? If not, perhaps perches, toys, things for her to di, distract her may help. MY house looks lie a ginat bird cage with all the stuff I have hanging everywhere. I have also found an empty open paper bag & open empty box keeps her very busy while I am in the kitchen. Best of luck & keep us posted!

I have had close calls. Having always had cats, dogs & birds. My son adopted a black shepard/cattle dog many years ago, He was taken to the shelter many states away ( near my daughter who checked him out first) because he killed all the landlords chickens..My son really wanted this dog, he was in a emotional state at that time & allowing him to get a dog I knew in my heart would help him tremendously...I actually called the shelter to ask about the chicken killing since I had 3 parrots, they really couldn't tell me anything...so we took the chance & drove to 12 hours one way to bring him home. He learned on day 1 that the parrots were off limits after one flew by him & he looked interested. He NEVER went after them, doesnt even pay attntion to them. IN fact they perch on the chair & the dogs wait for the leftover food to dropp so they can catch it. They are out always at the same time while I am home. He just knows & several times when he was asleep ( a black dog) on my black leather couch, my Amazon would fly & land on him thinking he was a couch, he jumps off the couch faster than you can blink! My greys don't pay attention to my dogs. & The dogsonly watch NIlah my amazon, cause she will bite them if she feels they are in her way...they just run away. They are more scared of her , as she's not afraid of anything. I have had 3 cats over the years, they also learned that the birds were off limit..Again they were more scared of the birds as they know NIlah can bite . Accidents can happen, but I am always vigilant watching the goings on when all are around us. We all co-exist, but I don't trust them just in case.

Super nice! Love the pics!

Well, it seems he has decided what he likes & what makes him feel most comfortable. Maybe just continue to let him dictate his step up comfort level & don't try & do anything different. In time you most likely will find that he decided to change things up once he feels totally secure & trusting that you will always do the same thing each time. It can be frustrating for you, but he is probably frustrated that he never knows how your gonna try & get him to step up. when he is ready, he will let you know by doing something different. I think patience is the key...:)

Totally 100% agree with you! If they aren't fully trusting you, that is an issue for sure. They need to feel secure when they are perched.

I totally get this! He has communicated to you he doesn't like things from behind & it is great you underatnd that & respect it. There is no nail polish or a ring he might not like on your hand or wrist? When you ask him to step up onto your hand, what part of your hand are you using & where do you place your hand? Also, he will feel your hesitation, so always be confident & if you do get bit, don't react, they love to get emotion out of you & that will quickly reinforce his biting behavior when stepping up. Sometimes when I expect a bite, I will lay my hand flat & strong, palm down. I always place it at the belly just above their feet, placement can be everything. Let us know

Gosh, I dont know what to advise. If he likes the dowel, I would just use that until he is so comfortable with that & time goes on that he forgets about stepping up on you & biting. can you take the dowel with you to your parents? Als, my 2 greys & my 1 amazon will step up onto my arm, but really don't prefer it as there is nothing to really grab onto, and your skin can slide..grap your arm tight with your hand & twist it, your skin isn't firm & it's easier for them to lose balance & fall. they prefer something they can dig their claws into if need be. He might like the dowel because he can wrap his claws & hold on tight making him feel more secure. I offer my hand in moments of being unsure about getting bit, but ALWAYS make a fist, if you have a tight fist, there really isn't much to bite or latch onto. I would contiune with the high praise & reward when he does what you like, but replace your arm with a sturdier item. keep us posted & Good luck. remember be patient as we live in their time which passes slowly vs our hurry up world!

My tag does this. she lures you in with her sweetness, then BAM, she takes a nip! She has always been a jokester & lives for outsmarting me. I never fall for her tricks, cause I will get a bite! They have such different personalities.

very accurate, that's how I live & believe...if I get bit. it's always my own fault for not reading their cues.

So cute! My greys would never allow that, but my amazon, LOVES it! She will grip my fingers & I swing her gently on my lap saying, "swing the baby!" She enjoys it for a while..until she doesn't, then you know what she does..bites to let me know she's done..:LOL

I would think cataracts based on my dogs eyes. An avian vet would be better to give advice. Keep us posted.

Neoow, Yes, She LOVES candy, I bought some M&M's & Skittles..her forbidden treats..tried them, didnt work. So this week, it was 4 days of toweling,,GRRR. today, I talked to her about it over & over..telling her to be a good bird & "be back soon, okay?" which we always say together when she is to go in her cage for me to go to work..(she was saying it this am when I came near her)....telling her to step up to go to her cage like a good bird, & I won't towel her...She DID it! Yes, she got an M & M and praised and applause..LOL..I am trying ..thats all we can do. I get so stressed out about it at times..but I have to remember, I live on their time..not mine LOL

I LOVE this! Looks like you both had a blast! So happy Alfie went with you, looks like he enjoyed all the loot! Thanks, for sharing!

Thanks Kevin, Well all was going well, until My hubby & I went away for 3 days over the weekend..she has to stay in her downstairs cage to sleep! When we got home yesterday all 3 came out, played all day, I put her in her downstairs cage as we went out for dinner. she was fine...let them out again after we got home, then all was good putting them to bed. BUT TODAY.. she refused to go back to her cage..I had to corner her & towel her...UGH!

Thank you! Day 2, was same as before the scare...hopefully she's forgotten her fear..:)