Observations

[FoxersArtist]

Because Andy and I were warned of Bhodi's behaviors, we have been careful to watch his every move just to see what we can see. There are a few observations that have stood out to us both after having Bhodi for roughly 24 hours. This bird experiences stimulation in an extreme way. I have been chewing on a bit of information that we received that Bhodi's first owner was a bit OCD and clicker trained his every move. Living life in this environment would obviously provide an excessive amount of stimulation. Mix that need for stimulation with fear and uncertainty once a routine has been broken and environments change frequently and you have a bird that craves loads of stimulation but has become fearful of the unknown.

Craving loads of stimulation and being completely afraid of stimulation at the same time would indeed be a very frustrating position to be in. This supports my theory as to why Bhodi is screaming. He is self soothing by providing a kind of stimulation that he does not fear - his own voice.

Yesterday when we were at the vets office, Bhodi cooperated very well except for in one brief moment. He seemed very comfortable with his surroundings (even after a blood draw) until suddenly the vet tech bent down to wipe up some of Bhodi's droppings from the floor. The bird went banana's and lunged in the tech's direction. The vet commented that bhodi just wanted to jump on his shoulder...but I saw fire in his eyes. Yes, he wanted to jum...and bite. We saw this again this evening. Andy and I were sitting on the couch with Bhodi and talking about him. Bhodi was sitting on my knee and seemed very relaxed. A few times he wandered off my knee and went over to andy, buring his head in andy's arm and spreading his wings for love. We were not sure before, but these actions are making it apparent that Bhodi really prefers andy over me. Andy loved on him for a while and sent him back to sit on my knee so that he could play his video game. Andy picked up the controler for his game and Bhodi turned in an instant. He left my knee, headed back to Andy but this time he had fire in his eyes again and an open beak! Other than the look in his eye and his open beak, there was no body language to suggest that Bhodi was about to bite, but we both knew better. Andy put the controller where Bhodi couldn't see it and I calmly asked him to step up. Bhodi calmed down as soon as the controller went away but kept his eye on Andy. Andy pulled the controller out one more time and again Bhodi hurried in his direction. It wasn't a lunge like at the vets but more like a slow, calculated attack in progress. We did not give Bhodi the oppertunity to bite but I am certain that he would have, had we not picked up on these ques.

Thoughts?
-Anna

[CrystalinNC]

I would lean toward two theories.
The first being that he was offended that Andy chose something over him...so it could have been a show of jealousy.
The other being that Bhodi has been abused in one of his other homes, and Andy picking something up threatened him.
I would lean toward the latter because he lunged at the vet tech when he appeared to be picking something up to "club" him with

[Larry, Baby and Me]

This bird experiences stimulation in an extreme way. I have been chewing on a bit of information that we received that Bhodi's first owner was a bit OCD and clicker trained his every move.

I wonder if Bhodi is OCD also - learned from his first owner. In the wild (and in captivity) birds learn social behavior from their parents (or parronts in our case).

He is self soothing by providing a kind of stimulation that he does not fear - his own voice.

Like a human whistling in the dark? Hmmm?

... until suddenly the vet tech bent down to wipe up some of Bhodi's droppings from the floor. The bird went banana's and lunged in the tech's direction...

I have seen that behavior in Baby so many times. I call it the calculated attack.

Just like a street fighter... will fake his opponent out by being calm, relaxed, and maybe even submissive --- but when his opponent turns even slightly away (putting himself in a vulnerable position) the street fighter attacks.

That bird is in a constant state of attack with intermittant periods of calm.

Andy picked up the controler for his game and Bhodi turned in an instant. He left my knee, headed back to Andy but this time he had fire in his eyes again and an open beak!

Reference the above --- I "think".

Other than the look in his eye and his open beak, there was no body language to suggest that Bhodi was about to bite...

This is where the "experts" are so wrong when they say, watch for the warning signals. None of them have ever owned a large Too (U2 or M2).

Andy pulled the controller out one more time and again Bhodi hurried in his direction. It wasn't a lunge like at the vets but more like a slow, calculated attack in progress.

There is that word again - "CALCULATED". Like I said - that bird is in a constant state of attack.

I have some ideas...

First develop trust in Bhodi - he has to be "taught".

Next - teach him some tricks.

I will go into detail in next posts. I will pull from my mental files my pshyc courses on building trust within human relationships.

Then on to some basic trick training - this will challange his brilliant mind which is now in a state of attack. He can be turned around to think about something else. It is called breaking the script.

A mind can only do one thing at a time. By replacing the current destructive thought patterns with positive tought patterns (tricks and such) - you will have broken the rut (script) he is in.

[Chrissy and Flock]

I feel that I should consider myself very lucky Casper has not bitten me or even acted like she wanted to bite me:D. I know she will bite because she bit my sister in law (her previous owner) since she has been here:sad:. I don't even know what warning signs to look for. :o

[Anne-Samantha's Mom]

woa...dont know a thing about those birdies but I feel sure you will do a wonderful job dear anna

[Larry, Baby and Me]

I don't even know what warning signs to look for. :o

Unfortunately - you will learn the warning signs "after" you have been bitten a few times.

They get that certain determined look in their eyes.

Let's hope you never have to learn the warning signs. ;)

[too&me]

I wonder if he associates the controller with the clicker controlling his behaviors, like a teen rebelling or rejecting that first owners claim on his psyche.

[birdie]

Wow! Sounds like you have your hands full with this one. He sounds like one frusterated birdie. He needs someone like you & Andy to help him work things out. Bless you for giving him a chance.

[Patty, Linus and Co.]

[quote=Larry, Baby and Me;5317]This bird experiences stimulation in an extreme way. I have been chewing on a bit of information that we received that Bhodi's first owner was a bit OCD and clicker trained his every move.

I wonder if Bhodi is OCD also - learned from his first owner. In the wild (and in captivity) birds learn social behavior from their parents (or parronts in our case).

Larry, You might be onto something there. That's a really interesting thought. Geez, way to make your too a nervous wreck!!