Man hating parrot

[linlam]

I'm looking after my neice's parrot, who seems to be a man hater. He's fine with the female sex, but after constant dive bombing her husband, he said that it was either him or the bird went. Mrs Muggins here said that she'd look after it for a while. He's been fine with me, talking, flying to my shoulder etc, but  yesterday, the first time he's been out when my husband is home, whoosh...the bird went straight for his face, it really was quite scarey.

Apart from my hubby wearing a hard hat and goggles ( I know the sensible thing would be to leave it in the cage when he's home), is ythere anything we can do to help the bird overcome this hatred of men?

[Chessman]

I'm not sure there's much you can do, a related story appeared in the paper about a month ago, seagulls were attacking postmen, when they put women on the rounds, no problem, they put men back, and again they were attacked.Might be something associated with his history.

[maggie01]

maybe if you got your husband to do all the neccessaries for it ie feeding cleaning etc. the bird may come to realise hes not a thread. Theres an old saying never bit the hand that feeds you. Hope it works. Good Luck.

[undercovers]

also got to not allow the bird to get what it wants, it attacks and he legs it e.g. bird wins. If he attacks again you need to put him in his cage and then ignor him. He'll soon learn that to have more fun and space to flap around he has to play nice - and that he is not the most important thing in the house.

[linlam]

Thanks Chessman,  maggie01 and undercovers for your thoughts....let's see how it goes...watch this space!

[doghandler]

I have a similar parrot.

I am male and my parrot who i have had for nearly a year now still doesnt like me as much as my wife and daughters.

I have been reliably informed it is because the parrot is male.

Feeding and cleaning the bird has not helped in my case by the way!

However, what has helped is 'Bach's Rescue Remedy', this is a herbal remedy and is sold in most health shops, it is for humans but cannot harm the bird as it is totaly herbal.

the bottle states 4 drops for a human, make that 2 for the bird.

Put the drops on a favourite titbit, and then wait 10 minutes until after the bird has eaten it, then try and handle him.

You will find him much calmer, and after a short period of time, when he realises that the male is giving him as much fuss and kindness, and is not a threat, will then be able to trust him.

Good luck!

[linlam]

doghandler, thank you!

 I've seen the Bach remedies in our local health shop, so I'll certainly try a couple of drops on  one of his monkey nuts, I can crack one a little and put the drops on the actual nut  (hopefully), at the moment those are about the only things he will take from my hand. He sits on my shoulder asking for a tickle behind the ears though!

[cannonball]

  I have had a parrot for 35 years, and he still don't

  like me, he will put his head down for me to stroke

  his head,then try to bite me. when he does,

  he laughs,Don't trust him,give him back.

[linlam]

cannonball, have you tried the Bach remedies? If not let's both try together, and compare!..I'm off to get some tomorrow.. if I remember I'll post how hubby gets on after a couple of treatments!

I'll not be defeated.. you've managed 35 years..I've had this one for a week, I'll keep trying.