FoxersArtist
03-02-2008, 10:24 PM
I just got an e-mail from a friend who had a question for me about a woman who has a conure that has been attacking. Here's the situation"
"Here's the deal....... her daughter got the conure for her for Mother's Day last year. She LOVES her bird and is so crazy in love with her that she takes her to work with her and even has an extra cage set up for her there. She is absolutely 100% in love with this bird!! And this bird is equally as in love with her as well. Anyway.... THIS may actually be where the problem comes from.
Everytime anyone comes near the woman while the bird is with her she will fly at them and attack. She has bitten just about everyone who has come over. Today she brought her over for a wing clip and this is the first I've heard of the issue. It's not just a hormonal seasonal deal .... this is year round for this bird. Anyway, I'm assuming it has something to do with the bond that the lady and the bird have. Perhaps the bird sees this lady as her mate and therefore anyone else coming close to her is a threat ??"
My response was:
"Let me think that over a bit. You are right in saying that the conure is protecting what belongs to her and that's why she is attacking everyone else. It must be that the conure views the husband as functional part of the flock and respects him - which is why he doesn't get targeted. He's a trusted "friend." One suggestion I have right off hand is not to allow the conure up on her shoulder when she has company over. Try to have the bird somewhere lower, like on her hand or knee. Please feel free to give your friend my phone number and tell her I would be happy to do a free consultation with her - if she wants to bring the bird over. I'll ask some friends who are very knowledgeable about this sort of thing and see what they have to say. I feel sorry for the people involved but this bird's owner should feel just a little flattered.
PS: Keep that bird's wings clipped!!!"
Any other suggestions I can offer?
-Anna
"Here's the deal....... her daughter got the conure for her for Mother's Day last year. She LOVES her bird and is so crazy in love with her that she takes her to work with her and even has an extra cage set up for her there. She is absolutely 100% in love with this bird!! And this bird is equally as in love with her as well. Anyway.... THIS may actually be where the problem comes from.
Everytime anyone comes near the woman while the bird is with her she will fly at them and attack. She has bitten just about everyone who has come over. Today she brought her over for a wing clip and this is the first I've heard of the issue. It's not just a hormonal seasonal deal .... this is year round for this bird. Anyway, I'm assuming it has something to do with the bond that the lady and the bird have. Perhaps the bird sees this lady as her mate and therefore anyone else coming close to her is a threat ??"
My response was:
"Let me think that over a bit. You are right in saying that the conure is protecting what belongs to her and that's why she is attacking everyone else. It must be that the conure views the husband as functional part of the flock and respects him - which is why he doesn't get targeted. He's a trusted "friend." One suggestion I have right off hand is not to allow the conure up on her shoulder when she has company over. Try to have the bird somewhere lower, like on her hand or knee. Please feel free to give your friend my phone number and tell her I would be happy to do a free consultation with her - if she wants to bring the bird over. I'll ask some friends who are very knowledgeable about this sort of thing and see what they have to say. I feel sorry for the people involved but this bird's owner should feel just a little flattered.
PS: Keep that bird's wings clipped!!!"
Any other suggestions I can offer?
-Anna