Why is my Rainbow Lorikeet trying to attack me?

How old is he? I'm having the same issues with my galah. Territorial, hormonal and just plain cranky. I see the wild rainbows squabbling a lot now, too. Loads of food for them, warm weather, and into breeding mode they go!

Rainbows are masters of bluffing, too. They will really put on a show and push you until you either leave them alone, or call their bluff. Our rainbow, Bowie, is still young, so it isn't as bad - but still there.

I'm still learning what I can do to get around it, so can't really help much. I'm going to start target training with both Bowie and AJ in their cages, and hopefully I'll be able to move up from there.

Another reason could be health related. Do you do regular vet checks? Even molting will make them cranky. My birds can't have enough showers right now!

Hopefully Mike will come along and offer some words of wisdom.

hi i had a blue ringneck that was handraised that was very friendly but then changed at 1 year old. i had it dna tested * it turned out to be a hen the vet said that was normal for the hens to get moody & attack when breeding season was starting & that she would change beck to her friendly self but she didnt. i hope that might help

www.realmacaw.com/pages/wild.html

www3.upatsix.com/liz/articles/biting2.html

Rainbowcat maybe you can relate to something in the links above.

This is not a problem in just Keets, all companion parrots are capable of biting their owner for 1 reason or another, I always believe that when i get a nasty bite from 1 of my birds it's something i have done wrong. I haven't read their body language or taken into consideration my own mood, normally owners won't take on board that they are or can be the problem.

A companion parrot doesn't have to be on us 24/7 or need constant attention they also need to be able to chill out on the playstand or cage. They are capable of entertaining themselves.

My Laurie is doing that sometimes as well. There might be different reasons for that. As for my little lady, she's doing that when:
1. She is in a bad mood (almost never happens with mine - the reason could be anything: too hungry or thirsty, not enough food or water left in the bowls, or territorial behavior (don't touch my toys!), or maybe she desperately need a bath because new feathers are coming and it makes it very itchy. . Even not enough communication can be a reason - birds love to communicate and it makes them feel really scared or even angry when you ignore them.
2. She is just too excited and forget to control herself during her play.
3. She laid an egg or two and protects her territory (cage). That period of time she may become a bit grumpy too.

But the most important reason... and a very interesting too... is because she is jealous. If a bird would love someone in your family very much, that much she might think he or she is her partner... she might attack you when you would come too close to that person! Because that person is hers from now on! . That is a very funny behavior which happened to my little bird toward me and my brother. Now she is trying to bite me every time I stand close to him and he is holding her. . It is not too bad though - a bit of training can change the situation quickly.

Also... It is quite interesting how she can try to bite you and then laugh after that. That means lorikeets can sometimes see that behavior as a part of some kind of a funny game I guess.

I agree with everything written above too. Lorries are the idiots of the bird world......it is all about reading their body language. We aren't all experts though so need to learn as we go......I find the most fascinating thing about having pet birds is they are all different in their "body" language......it's just knowing when to back off I guess....and knowing when they need time out. Also a good sleep is so important for them, I've found a tired bird is a nasty bird! lol.......

Funny things they are.....Goodluck everyone.......Here's to happy birdies!!