Mood Swings

[murphy91]

I have a 3 month old Plum-Head, female & hand-raised. I just wanted to ask if it's normal for this species/age or even for all parrots to have mood swings? And I mean mood swings... Sometimes she will be downright bratty. Before I put her to bed of a night I can't even stick my hand in the cage or she literally pounces from wherever she is with her mouth open like a Great White breaching and bites my fingers. She also makes this noise that reminds me of a child who doesn't get their way (which gets louder when I say 'NO' which does absolutely nothing, she knows the command but is ignoring me). All I was doing was trying to change her water... This is just an example, it also happens occasionally during the day. The other thing is whenever I put my fingers in her general direction (unless I'm asking her to step up) she nips or bites... But as soon as I change the direction of my finger (horizontal to her) she immediately stops and steps up.

Can anyone help me understand why she is doing these things?

Thanking anyone who answers muchly,
Mark

[avinet]

Sounds to me like a typical female Plum-head - even the one that I mentioned in an earlier reply to you that was bonded to me was always liable to be a unpredictable moody bird with the occasional nip. She could be incredibly loving one day and cranky the next. A lot might depend on how she was hand raised - if there was not sufficient socializing time spent with her while being hand raised then you will have a long path to success.

There is no easy answer - I strongly suggest your best source might be the books by Barbara Heidenreich - birdkeeper.com.au/bird-behaviour-products/good-bird and especially birdkeeper.com.au/bird-behaviour-products/parrot-problem-solver-finding-solutions-to-aggressive-behaviour

She also has some excellent DVD's also available from Australian Birdkeeper.

cheers,

Mike

[murphy91]

Thanks mate