Unpredictable behavior

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

I don't know what happened. We were having a great day. He started threatening to go after my feet earlier which I now know to be the precursor to his behavior changing. A few minutes ago he went under Theo's cage and just lost it. I reached for him and he started hissing at me. He does that often when he really would rather stay where he is, but he's never serious about it. Tonight it was different. I put Theo in the cage so she wouldn't be involved, but he didn't have a problem with her, it was me. I tried to take him out and he hissed and threatened until he eventually bit me (not bad). He wouldn't come out so I went and got a towel and sat down trying to decide if it was a good idea to use force. He made the decision for me and charged at me. Boy can they run fast. I dropped the towel over him and wrestled him into the cage.
I've never seen him so angry. He thrashed around in the cage and climbed whatever side I was nearest with wings out and tail flared.

He's finally starting to calm down, but he didn't get his medicine tonight. I have no idea what set him off. I do know that he knew what that towel was for.

[Dot]

They have all gone mad together. I had to go to Quick Care for a bite on the lip and a friend had her "baby" bite through her cheek. She was holding him waist high and he lunged for no apparent reason and got to her face. It's tough out there.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Hi Patty,

It looks like you had some excitement... the kind you don't need.

The top avian behavorists all say birds do things for a reason. If we hold onto that truth we can often figure out what is going on. To us their behavior might seem unpredictable but to them it makes all the sense in the world. It is up to us to figure it all out and prevent the flair-ups.

You said Linus went under Theo's cage and lost it. Please describe exactly what happened when he went under her cage. Was he just sitting there or was he exibiting other behaviors?

Without knowing the surrounding details - I will venture some guesses.

He gets agressive with you towards the evening time frame - biting at your feet.

It could be he is trying to drive you away so he can be alone with his mate (Theo). Night time is the time to roost with the mate and you do not belong in the picture. Two's company - three's a crowd type of thing.

It appears that he is protecting his mate and her territory.

Just some thoughts.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

Hey Larry,

I gotta tell you that just threw me for a loop last night. Linus does not get aggressive at night in any way and Theo was not in the vicinity. I know we keep coming back to Theo, and I admit I desperately don't want her to be the center of this problem, my gut is telling me she isn't. He's been chasing her away from his toys today, and she's smart enough to be keeping a safe distance. We are definitely on defcon 1 today. Steel toed boot are back in use.

Theo likes to chew holes in the carpet near walls. I need to put down a desk mat under her cage for that reason. I put down an file box over the current hole for the time being. That temporarily solved the problem until Theo decided to start a new one and Linus joined in this time. So I scolded them and put down another box to cover that hole, this one bright pink and purple. That was my first mistake. He's already on edge and I stick this offensive looking thing in the way of his fun. He reacted to this box stand-offishly, but decided another hole was in order. When I reached in to get him, he in clear terms told me to get my hand out of there or else. That's when the big trouble started. I knew this was no joke to him but at the same time I couldn't just back down because he could conclude that this is the way to get what he wants. He was furious when the towel came out. I haven't toweled him in years but the vet has a lot recently. He just lost it and charged me.
I put a different color box down and will think about moving the cage from the corner to a more well lit place if necessary.

He had been warning me all day with the feet thing and I thought we would get through it. That was my second mistake. I will now take that as a sign of serious behavior problems building. (He isn't usually a foot chaser, although he was with Jamie and Dave.) I will take him out of the situation long before he gets out of control from now on. He does well with using methods of diversion, I'll take him out for a walk or something.

I got him to take his medicine this morning with no problem and I approached him as if nothing happened last night. He doesn't seem to want to let go and I am getting the evil eye from him still. There are going to be more problems today I suspect but I will work with him to keep him in a better frame of mind.

I am emailing the vet to let her know about this. It is worrisome if he misses doses of his medication. And he is hunched while he is perching again.
He's like Jekyl and Hyde these days. He had been so wonderfully loving the days prior to this.

Patty

[too&me]

Sounds like the start of nest building to me, he was protecting his lady friends chosen nesting site. Tree cavity replacement wall hole.

[Larry, Baby and Me]

Patty - oh Patty,

I am so sorry but all that made me laugh. I don't mean to laugh at your misery - I am laughing because what you described is all too familiar to me.

Welcome to the real world of Toos. You have had an angel all this time but now you have a regular Too. Oh boy!!!

Yep - you have nesting/territorial behavior going on. Welcome to the club of bit fingers and evil eyes - and lovey-dovey white balls of feathers - when it suits them.

You are doing everything perfectly... you can't do any more than what you are doing. Just be on gaurd for the nasty times and prevent the aggression before he becomes aggressive... whatch and learn his patterns. What time of day - if any... where he is allowed to go... if any... etc, etc, etc.

Remember - birds do things for a reason... and most of the reason is --- he is a Too.

Good luck.... please keep us in the loop with what is going on. We might not be able to help much - except commiserate with you.

Lar

[FoxersArtist]

Hi Patty.
I'm so sorry to hear about all of your troubles with Linus. Unfortunately all of the behavior you are describing to me does sound like a typical hormonally charged male cockatoo. For this very reason I am always gaurded when working with Umbies. It's like, after a while you can just sense the tension in a bird like that and know that they could lash out at any time. Bhodi's aggression happens on the turn of a dime so I am forever trying to keep him away from my face and ready in a seconds time to dodge a bite. I do my best to stay calm so that the bird is calm, but I am ready for anything at any time. It's really sad when you know you can't trust your feathered baby, but really wonderful that you love them anyway and make the best out of a frustrating situation. Unfortunately, I think a lot of umbrella's are just this way and it's really hard to watch them so wound up. I know you love Linus though, and would do anything for him and that is what makes you an exceptional bird owner.

I feel very strongly that Theo is playing a huge part in this. She has unlocked a lot of the hormones that Linus didn't really have before. Do whatever you can to find things that soothe him and stick with those things when you are spending one on one time with him. Is there any way to spend time with Linus somewhere where he cannot see Theo? I'm so sorry you are going through all of this but good luck. :(
-Anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I feel very strongly that Theo is playing a huge part in this. She has unlocked a lot of the hormones that Linus didn't really have before. -Anna

Yep - what Anna said.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

I totally agree with you all that the incident under the cage was a hormonal, nesty thing. I may have to move the cage, which is wide open on the bottom but in a corner, to a brighter location and remove the little boxes. (I'll put my couch out in the yard or something.)
I know that having Theo here, along with their activities, is causing hormones to run much higher than I am accustomed to with him. He is definitely walking the edge.
While Theo is contributing to all of these factors, I don't think that having her is a problem. I don't think he's resentful of her and I don't think he wants to hurt her, although she has her place with him. I think he kind of likes having her around. I do believe that having her here during this time of year is sending my normally well behaved bird into a tizzy AND I think he has a short fuse right now as he doesn't feel well. But we'll somehow have to get through this and just start praying now about what next year will bring.
I don't mind so much being bitten, but understanding what is happening and not knowing what to do to make him feel better is frustrating the heck out of me. And turning on a dime? If a wild yak had run through my living room I couldn't have been taken more by surprise. Thanks for letting me vent.

Patty

[Larry, Baby and Me]

And turning on a dime? If a wild yak had run through my living room I couldn't have been taken more by surprise. Patty

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Patty - I suffer in silence.... I share your grief, frustration and the endearing love that these Toos give us.

I wouldn't trade my Baby for anything - she is the love of my life... but then.... :rofl::rofl::rofl:

[Dot]

We need a t-shirt for bird owners. Instead of "No blood - no foul," it should say "No trip to hospital - no foul." Or else we could make one that says "No blood - no foul. Blood - fowl." :haha:

[too&me]

How about just a simple Fowl Play ?