All these responses are awesome. And the big three have been mentioned: the chocolate, avocado, and Teflon - what hasn’t been mentioned is that you have a bird dog.
I have no doubt you will be able to tell Jelly quite simply “no”, and that will be the end of it, but with your bird dog, you’re going to have to do a bit more serious training. It absolutely can be done. My parrots have walked in front of my hound dogs without anyone touching them (and my cat as well), but that took years of training with some of my prey driven hounds. Not saying the lab is dull witted, but you’re going against the natural inclination. My parrots will drop snacks for the dogs, and that helps build the relationship.
A well timed tweak on the muzzle has taught respect to the wrong nosy nose poking into the wrong cage as well.

SC and Mars are some of the best bird resources anywhere. I will say when married to my Ex, I was on the hook for 4-6 hours of cockatoo time, basically every day. I'm not sure I'd do it again, but I very much miss that bird.

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:
All these responses are awesome. And the big three have been mentioned: the chocolate, avocado, and Teflon - what hasn’t been mentioned is that you have a bird dog.
I have no doubt you will be able to tell Jelly quite simply “no”, and that will be the end of it, but with your bird dog, you’re going to have to do a bit more serious training. It absolutely can be done. My parrots have walked in front of my hound dogs without anyone touching them (and my cat as well), but that took years of training with some of my prey driven hounds. Not saying the lab is dull witted, but you’re going against the natural inclination. My parrots will drop snacks for the dogs, and that helps build the relationship.
A well timed tweak on the muzzle has taught respect to the wrong nosy nose poking into the wrong cage as well.

Thought of this as well. But by the time I retire Jelly will be 13 and Bella’s will be 10. We’ll be in the Senior years so hopefully they will be a little less apt to chase.

Because right now yes, Jelly will kill anything that’s not a dog or human.

Instinct in dogs can be a challenge. We have Anatolian shepherds guarding the goats and my wife has an Anatolian/Great Pyrenees (Mom) / International Man of Mystery (Dad) cross for a pet. It isn’t that Abby is dumb or disobedient, it is just that she isn’t sure if she can even hear you when she’s in “instinct mode”.

Then I absolutely recommend you don’t get a bird.
I can’t tell you how many horror stories I’ve heard.
And the please don’t judge me but we had an “accident” and I lost my bird. And the accident was a dog or cat.

Sorry to be so blunt.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:

quote:

Originally posted by irreverent:
All these responses are awesome. And the big three have been mentioned: the chocolate, avocado, and Teflon - what hasn’t been mentioned is that you have a bird dog.
I have no doubt you will be able to tell Jelly quite simply “no”, and that will be the end of it, but with your bird dog, you’re going to have to do a bit more serious training. It absolutely can be done. My parrots have walked in front of my hound dogs without anyone touching them (and my cat as well), but that took years of training with some of my prey driven hounds. Not saying the lab is dull witted, but you’re going against the natural inclination. My parrots will drop snacks for the dogs, and that helps build the relationship.
A well timed tweak on the muzzle has taught respect to the wrong nosy nose poking into the wrong cage as well.

Thought of this as well. But by the time I retire Jelly will be 13 and Bella’s will be 10. We’ll be in the Senior years so hopefully they will be a little less apt to chase.

Because right now yes, Jelly will kill anything that’s not a dog or human.

Ah. Ok, I thought Jelly would be the easy one. My cattle dog cross wouldn’t touch a thing without my ok..she actually taught everyone else (pets, rescues, etc) the rules for me..I was worried about your lab being too game.
My dogs and my birds are kept in separate rooms. The parrots have their own sunroom and the French doors are kept closed. Dogs are kitchen mostly, with living room access as allowed while monitored (evenings when we are home, etc.)
They are not allowed access to the grey parrots. Period. Neither is the cat.
The Amazon is the only one whose cage is in the LR (he’s a relatively recent rescue, was being quarantined and it just worked out to be the best spot for him) and he can and will easily address any noses that get too nosy(cage is closed and secured when 4 footers are out in LR).
My grey birds have seen a few generations of dogs now, so they know to be watchful but not too worried. I have one male dog now that I will never trust. He is just too game. Either he is locked up or the parrots are.
And it is a constant vigilance, which has become part of our daily routine. Every human in my house knows the rules. Please make sure you understand that- parrots are a way of life, and you will adapt. Your bird will bless you with their intelligence, love, and wit, and you’ll be forever changed. And as a last note, they tend to bond to ONE person. My girl grey won’t allow anyone else to touch without a bite, but I can do anything with her. My male grey will bite me but not hubby. Thems the breaks. Make sure your sig other understands…and that you may not be the bird’s first choice…

ETA: watch some bird reels on facebook. You’ll see the behaviors and how they act out.

I know some birds are intelligent. Anybody know where the term, "bird brain " came from?

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
I know some birds are intelligent. Anybody know where the term, "bird brain " came from?

Well, I used AI for the answer and sounds accurate to me. It said:

The term “bird brain” has been around since at least the 1930s and originally came from the assumption that birds have small brains and, therefore, must be unintelligent. It was used as a slang insult to call someone stupid or scatterbrained.

However, the irony is that many birds are actually incredibly intelligent—especially species like crows, ravens, parrots, and even pigeons. In recent decades, science has revealed that birds have highly efficient brain structures and can solve complex problems, use tools, recognize themselves in mirrors, and even understand abstract concepts.

So, while “bird brain” started as an insult, it’s kind of outdated now—modern science would suggest that being called a birdbrain might actually be a compliment!

Cici was watching TV with me lsat night and a shampoo commercial came on.
There was a man in the shower washing his hair and Cici exclaimed SHOWER SHOWER!
DADDY SHOWER SHOWER!

That is how smart Cici is.

When she sees a cooking show, she'll say daddy's in the kitchen.

She can absolutely associate visual ques with speech. and vice versa.

My wife, power carves raptors from wood. She is scheduled to teach a class at John C. Campbell Folk School on carving later this month. Here is a full size hawk she displays at art shows along with other birds. Note the snack the hawk has his eye on....

That is amazing work.

Otto, I know where there is a beautiful blue fronted Amazon that needs a home(google for picture and description). Please respond here and we’ll get in touch. I’m in Roswell but the bird is in Helen however I could provide transportation. They are expensive birds, you could probably get this one for free, just needs a loving home.

quote:

Originally posted by RaiseHal:
Otto, I know where there is a beautiful blue fronted Amazon that needs a home(google for picture and description). Please respond here and we’ll get in touch. I’m in Roswell but the bird is in Helen however I could provide transportation. They are expensive birds, you could probably get this one for free, just needs a loving home.

Be cautious about this. Learn the breed. Amazons are kind of the “jack russell” of birds. Rambunctious and fun, easy to see when they are fired up, and notorious for lashing out (they give you so many signs, it’s almost impossible to get bit IF you’re paying attention. Most don’t pay attention..). That being said they have a nasty bite and they are a medium sized parrot so they’re nothing to mess with if you’re not comfortable with them. I worked with one at a clinic and she used to love to convince people to come and pet her.. only to nail them as soon as they stuck their fingers in her cage. I kept Band-Aids behind the counter. She (like most Amazons) thought it was a hoot to trick people.

I have a BFA. I know whereof I speak. He is absolutely adorable to me and my son. He will attack my husband at every opportunity.

I’m in no position at this time. This idea was for a time after the Navy.

My next assignment will be 12-16 hour days 6x a week.

I feel bad enough for the dogs.

Dumb question: why would a bird w/ whom you've bonded bite you? For example, I can't imagine a dog with whom I've bonded biting me, except for maybe a play bite. Why would a bird do so?

And not that I would do anything in response but if one did do something, it breaks the trust the bird has in you? But when it bites, does it not consider that a break in trust / bond? Or does it perceive it as something different? What is natural - if a birds bonded to each other and one bites the other, what is an acceptable response back by the other bird w/o breaking bonds?

Willow has chosen me as her new person.
I've had her almost 2 years and she's still getting to know me.
She will try to bite but won't. We get a stern NO BITING when she acts up.

Iris who I've had almost 30 years absolutely will not bite.
Someone else she'll pinch if they push her.
Iris is 49 this year.

I have had my Blue and Gold Macaw for 24 years. I got Ziggy when he was 7 weeks old from a breeder.

I was told at the time that it would be like having a perpetual 2 year old, that was correct. Expect tantrums when they are not happy about something or want something that you have, like food.The noise level when they scream is monumental as is the length of time they can make that noise.

As stated, expect to be bit, and for no reason that you can think of when it happens. They have a long memory and remember months latter that you did something they did not like. Again as stated earlier in this thread you can't react to them when they bite, you can never let them feel superior to you. Years ago Ziggy bit me and I yelled out "STOP IT!" he always remembered me yelling that and now will bite me just to hear my yell "stop it". He then bites me and yells "stop it". Ziggy has a vast list of things he says and at night you can hear him recite many of the things he says. Many things he says correspond to exactly whats happening at the time.It truly is a pet you can talk to and will talk back.Never forget they are VERY smart!
They also listen to everything going on in the house, even if its not in the same room they are located in.

Ziggy used to fly around. I would clip his wings when I took him outside. After years of not flying he did not try or attempt to fly.
I now take him out without the clipped wings. He is content and enjoys being outside for the stimulus he receives from being out and the interaction from people walking by the house ( I live on a corner so people walk by my backyard all the time. He loves saying hello and goodbye, he especially loves dealing with kids but will immediately bite them if given the chance. He will yell out to children if he hears them playing anywhere in the neighborhood.

If you want a parrot make sure you have a free standing house, NOT a apartment or Townhouse. Your neighbors will not put up with the noise level a Parrot can generate.

Ziggy has never been to a Vet.He does not travel and would be terrified if I would try and get him into a crate to transport. I always fear the trauma he would have. I balance that with the need to go see a Vet.

Ziggy gets table scraps and some dry premium Dog kibble to eat.

I'm the only one in the house to handle him, everyone else is afraid they will get bit.

After having Ziggy for so many years he truly is a part of the family. NOBODY wants him after I'm gone.This bothers me now, it did not bother me 25 years ago as I never addressed the future problem because I never thought it would be a problem. Now at almost 74 I panic thinking about his care after I can no longer take care of him.

I have to be careful when taking him outside. a few years ago I was sitting with him on the deck and saw his eyes scanning the sky. I looked up and spotted a Hawk. I lost sight of the Hawk then suddenly saw the Hawk swoop between two trees and fly directly over Ziggy at about 10Ft.
This has happened a few times after that occurrence. I now watch Ziggys eyes, he can spot things long before I can.

After having Ziggy for so many years I can now say I would never have a bird for a "pet"again.
Ziggy is way to smart to be in a cage. He needs to be engaged with something all the time to keep his mind active.
I appreciate the saying "free as a bird" and now fully understand what that saying means.
Parrots/birds should be free and live there life free.They will never become pets, they will always be wild animals, you have to accept this when you get one.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Dumb question: why would a bird w/ whom you've bonded bite you? For example, I can't imagine a dog with whom I've bonded biting me, except for maybe a play bite. Why would a bird do so?

And not that I would do anything in response but if one did do something, it breaks the trust the bird has in you? But when it bites, does it not consider that a break in trust / bond? Or does it perceive it as something different? What is natural - if a birds bonded to each other and one bites the other, what is an acceptable response back by the other bird w/o breaking bonds?

1 answer that might not be obvious, and it’s one that as a bird cvt I’ve explained many times to partners or people who are dating: if the bird perceives you as its mate, it’s going to try and protect you from any takers or predators. Parrots will take flight if they perceive danger or trouble in the wild. If the parrot sees its “mate” isn’t moving out at the first sign of “danger”, it’s going to give you a good nip to get you moving, and square off if it has to, or take off as well. IOW, it’s trying to protect you, the mate, from being eaten or stolen, and is probably assessing you as one they’ll have to keep after, because you’re too dumb to get out of there in a timely fashion


Yes, reacting to a bite is rarely going to end in your favor, but some experienced biters will really dig in if you let them.
One, never allow them on the shoulder. It is the sweetest thing to have a bird preen your eyelashes and brows, feel that fluff of feather warmth cuddle up next to your cheek, nibble on that mole they don’t believe belongs on your face/neck….
Downside is the scars I’ve seen on peoples faces. Up to you. Only takes once. I only have 1 bird in my little flock I’d allow. I’m not talking ‘tiels, budgies or even conures. I’m talking amazons, greys, macaws, etc. I’ve seen people disfigured. That’s how I ended up with one of my dumped greys, and he’s gotten me good at least twice over the last 30. We are still friends, but he’ll flash to the dark side in a heartbeat. My husband can turn him onto his back and lay him in the palm of his hand, toes up, though.
Like one poster said, a firm verbal “No bite” is appropriate, and then disengage. These are emotional beings, and most want reactions, not disengagement. Another thing I’ll do if they bite without warning is to drop them on a carpeted surface. I’ll do it as suddenly as the bite occurs. Once they’re down, they are vulnerable and looking for help to get back up. Make you the only way up, not a chair or their cage. There you are to provide safety in height, “shocked” as them that they’re suddenly down there!

Armored, they make macaw boxes specifically for transport. Long, narrow, rectangular. They work really well to protect those beautiful tail feathers. I hope someone in your family chooses to keep your baby. He’s got a lot of
of life left to live (so do you) and it would be a shocker for him to be uprooted. My last adoptee came from the home of a cancer patient who passed. He’d been with her for who knows how long. Took him 3 days to turn around in his cage and face us, poor baby. He’s doing fine now, but my heart broke for him those first few days while we quietly fed and talked to him.

My wife and I have run an exotic animal rescue, peeps and creeps, for going on 20years. We have close to 100 birds alone. My suggestion is make sure you have a competent bird vet around. We have clients that drive 200 miles for us to work on their birds.

Tommy