Have had my little guy since he was a baby and he's very bonded with me and very spoiled. Except, every year coming up to Spring, he's a little sod. He's about 8 now.
This morning he jumped onto my face and bit through my top lip. He gets so spiteful and temperamental. He's either trying to feed me and mate with me...or tearing lumps out of me (literally). He's so jealous of my other animals (and the phone, and my bras).

I feel so sorry for him, as he's obviously sexually frustrated but I really don't want another parrot. He was rescued and had a bad first few months of his life, but he's got a great one now. But I couldn't cope with another bird, as he gets so much attention.

Is it just one of those things they go through yearly? I'm psyching myself up for more of the same behaviour, as it usually goes on for a couple of months. I'm just wondering if there's a way I can help him. I mean ...I'm an animal lover but not in the way he wants me to be

ah what a poppet......have no words of wisdom as no nothing about our feathered friends..but good luck

It sounds as though he may be imprinted i.e. hand reared so he associates with people as the same species as himself and it sounds as though he plays up when the breeding season and associated hormones kick in.

Even if you did get another parrot imprinted birds will sometimes attack or even kill other birds as they see them as competition for their object of desire, you, not as prospective mates or companions.

You should maybe consider speaking to an avian specialist vet to see if there is anything suitable to dampen his hormones at these times, both to prevent his frustration and your injuries.

Yeah, I think an avian specialist is the way to go. He's only just starting to get like it again this year...but in a few weeks, he'll be a terror. It's such a shame as, in an ideal world, he would be flying in the wild with a mate.

But, as a rescue, he can only have as good a life as we try to give him. I do feel for the little fella. He has all that love and nobody to give it to. He must be so sexually frustrated.

If I thought another bird would help, I'd seriously consider it. But, as you say, he's so imprinted on me that I couldn't take the chance of him not attacking it. He's so jealous of the dogs and hates them being near me.

I'll ring the avian vet this week and see if they can help (maybe some bromide in his tea )

Just out of interest what type of parrot is he?
You can get testosterone antagonist implants (Suprelorin) for temporary chemical castration in dogs but I don't know if they are suitable for parrots, or at what dose although I seem to vaguely recall hearing something about their use in parrots in these situations.
The avian vet should know, as the sort of problems you describe are not unusual in human-orientated pet parrots

He's a Senegal. Only small but with a big attitude.
I rang the avian vet this morning, but need to ring back tomorrow, when he'll be able to talk over the phone. Then I'll see if he needs an appointment.

Good luck
With that attitude maybe it's as well he's not a hyacinth macaw

Let us know how you get on with the avian vet please

Sounds like a job for John Cleese.

naughty

Probably wont tell the vet more than you have!

My cocketiel was much the same. She loved me. She had a passion for sticking her beak up my nose and eat the bogies.

Lovely

good grief

we have an African Grey who's 5 and he becomes very hormonal and grumpy in the spring, he becomes very terrotorial and nips for no reason than he can and he has the beak

I was told by a behaviourist that they do have moods and sometimes don't want to be fussed with anyone - so when he gets 'beaky' we leave him to his own devices until he comes to us for attention - even then he catches you off guard sometimes with a good old bite --- I get my revenge by picking him up like a chicken and putting him back - he soon learns -- for him the ultimate insult is lying him on his back

I meant to get back to this thread yesterday.
I spoke to the avian vet and he said it was just one of those things. He did give me some tips to try...mainly keeping him in his cage more, ignoring him and not being too cuddly with him.
These all seem that they'd make things better for me, but not the parrot. I've got him on high strength pellets now, as he can be going through a stressful time while this behaviour occurs.

I'm just going to take my chances and try to distract him when he gets overly hormonal. It must be so frustrating for the little mite.

http://www.birdladysecrets.com/train...onials1.ag.php

Could this site be of any use?

Thank you...shall have a read through.

sorry wrong thread

Let us know how you get on