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Re: Too Possessive Umbrella

Posted by val on 7/30/09
(8) Comments
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    On 5/24/09, Rick wrote:
    > Yes, Mytoos members are / can be very aggressive and opinionating to
    > say the least. Sometimes a little more than I like, but they truly
    > have the birds welfare as top priority there.
    >
    > As I sit here reading your comments, I am having flashbacks when the
    > LSC was with us. It was a roller coaster of emotions at times, to say
    > the least. The other person in our house was bitten / attacked 4 times
    > in the first week. In order to give the bird the out of cage time it
    > needed got to be a endless chore. When I was the only person home was
    > he allowed out with no concerns. The tension was building within the
    > household, and keeping others out of harms way, always being on guard.
    > Needless to say, this bird wasn't welcomed with open arms by all. We
    > spoke with a Bird Behaviorist from Chicago and did receive some
    > helpful tips, but by this time others were not as enthused as I to
    > help turn this bird around. In fact, I had to place the bird in an
    > area where no one would pass in front of or near to avoid the
    > pouncing. But we learned that this bird needed only to be around 1
    > person, therefore when he was placed, he went to a single individual.
    >
    > I commend you for sticking it out. This behavior can be very
    > frightening. You don't expect to be chased through your house by a
    > blood thirsty Vulture.
    >
    > One of the techniques we used via the behaviorist was to let the
    > person getting attacked have more contact with the bird than yourself.
    > Give the treats, taking out of cage and interacting more with him. You
    > on the other hand would limit your contact with bird, only to put the
    > bird in it's cage at night and an occasional interaction. The
    > justification behind this is to let the bird see the other person as a
    > "good person" and not as a threat to him.
    > This did seem to work for us.
    >
    > We also found out that our LSC was suffering from separation
    > anxieties. So I would also suggest limiting your travel time for now.
    > Let your bird have his alone time. Your bird needs to not be allowed
    > to have separation anxiety issues. Remember, the more attention you
    > give them turns into little monsters in the long run. Let the training
    > begin with you and your hubby and then progress with the kids. I know
    > there is so much to tell you, I hoped this has helped shed some light
    > on your situation. Best of luck. Please keep me posted.
    >
    > Thanks, Rick
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    > On 5/24/09, Shawnee wrote:
    >> Thanks Rick, I appreciate you taking the time. I have talked
    >> with the 'rescue' who i got him from and she is refusing to refund
    >> any money to me at this time but has offered another bird. I am
    >> not as interested in another bird, i really want to find a way to
    >> see what can be done with this guy.
    >>
    >> I know they are noisy and cranky, i knew all of this before
    >> getting him. The noise and all really does not bother me. I have
    >> had toos before and dealt with many. Always had great
    >> relationships with them. this guy has definately chosen me and
    >> although I do avoid all behaviors on my part, he does think i am
    >> his mate. I avoid petting in the wrong places and affection is
    >> something he gets alot of, when i initiate it. I have
    >> been 'standing guard' while others are near him and that seems to
    >> be working a little. He has drawn blood from mny husband's face
    >> when the bird lunged at him but he needs to be able to at least be
    >> able to be moved from place to place from someone other than me.
    >> We both work from home so the bird is getting plenty of
    >> companionship. he travels with us in our vehicle and is in sight
    >> of us most of the day. when he first came here, he slept in a
    >> smaller cage at night in our bedroom to ease the transition. I
    >> just need some pointers or some good reccommended reading
    >> materials on this behavior and the best way to go about adress
    >> it.
    >>
    >> I have checked out mytoos and will continue to see what i can find
    >> on there. I do have to say that there are a couple of members who
    >> are a bit...strong in personality and I fear someone coming at me
    >> as if i am a moron. This i don't need right now. I am dedicated
    >> to this bird and want useful info, not critisizm.
    >>
    >> Thanks so much,
    >> shawnee
    >>
    >>
    >> On 5/24/09, Rick wrote:
    >>> Just as yourself, we Rescue and have Rehabbed many. Here is one
    >>> compared to yours.
    >>>
    >>> Upon Fostering a LSC from another Bird Foster, we were informed
    >>> that the LSC was Male friendly only, thus the reason for the bird
    >>> coming our way. Unfortunately, the bird had a mind of his own and
    >>> decided to pick and choose who he wanted to be friendly with.
    >>> Definitely did not like women at all, as it was apparant in it's
    >>> last Foster home. I was chosen as his favorite, aka Mate in his
    >>> eyes, as I was home most of the day and interacted with him
    >> mainly.
    >>>
    >>> This bird would attack passerbiers,(only 2 of us in the home)
    >>> bite, chase, leap onto you to get at you, etc. Just as you are
    >>> describing. Not myself, but others who came in contact with me,
    >>> whom the bird thought was a threat. He tried biting me if I was
    >>> too close to someone. Other than that, he was the sweetest and
    >>> most affectionate bird anyone could ask for. Sweet little talker.
    >>> Although, he was a plucker.
    >>>
    >>> To make a long story short, this bird was evaluated and rehomed
    >> to
    >>> a SINGLE individual, as the bird was a perfect 1 on 1 bird. That
    >>> was it! He was a very jealous, moreso insecure bird, that latched
    >>> onto whomever he thought was he saviour. He did have issues with
    >>> plucking as well. The original owner was a young man who went off
    >>> to college, who had the bird for years, and the mother was left
    >> to
    >>> care for this bird. The bird hated her and vice-versa. Not real
    >>> sure of any abuse issues.
    >>>
    >>> I can only guess that what your were told, as you stated, was the
    >>> exact opposite of what the birds demeanor really is, somewhat.
    >> But
    >>> then again the bird may have taken on a total different attitude
    >>> once going to new home. His little evilness came out. I have seen
    >>> this happen before.
    >>>
    >>> We had recently (5 months ago)taken in a 20 year old U2 and he is
    >>> still a work in progress. A bit calmer than what you are
    >>> describing yours to be, but in the same breath, sometimes
    >>> unpredictable with others, so we are always on guard with others
    >>> in the house.
    >>>
    >>> It's odd that you say the bird likes you and your hubby, but not
    >>> the kids. This would tell me, although there were kids in the
    >>> home, that something had to have happened and even though the
    >> kids
    >>> were present, doesn't mean they interacted or got near the bird.
    >>> Did you see or experience first hand any of the things she told
    >>> you about the bird? As you say, telling you, they can say what
    >>> they want.
    >>>
    >>> Good luck with this little guy, I completely sympathize with your
    >>> situation. Hope all goes well. Patience and time is the best
    >>> advice I can give at this point. As I mentioned before,
    >> Mytoos.com
    >>> is a great asset to anyone who owns Toos.
    >>>
    >>>
    >>>
    >>> On 5/24/09, Shawnee wrote:
    >>>> When I inquired about this particular bird, I was told he was
    >>>> great with kids as she had kids around her home. I have
    >>>> raised hundreds of birds and had many which came to us with
    >>>> behavioral problems. Maybe I had just gotten lucky but I have
    >>>> never had a too with these issues. I know they can be
    >>>> possessive and agression can be an issue. I know the damage
    >>>> that the beaks can do. I would not just turn the children
    >>>> loose with the bird and hope for the best. I understand
    >>>> positive and negative reinforcement as well as the pecking
    >>>> order with birds. Having a bird who will bite a stranger when
    >>>> approached and having a bird to divebombs off of his cage are
    >>>> two completely different things. I was told he would sit on
    >>>> his gym all day and allow all passers by to greet him. I
    >>>> guess bottom line is that I was told everything completely
    >>>> opposite about him. I am not opposed to keeping the smaller
    >>>> humans away from him. My kids are very animal savy and
    >>>> understand that not all animals are friendly. it is the
    >>>> chasing thing which is a larger issue. If i can deal with him
    >>>> and get him to a managable point, I would be pleased.
    >>>> Shawnee
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>> On 5/23/09, Rick wrote:
    >>>>> On 5/23/09, Shawnee wrote:
    >>>>>> I have issues with an umbrella i recently adopted. He
    >>>>>> loves me dearly and I can do anything with him. Everyone
    >>>>>> else in the family, he hates with a passion and will
    >>>>>> actually climb off of his cage to chase around the house.
    >>>>>> I have lots of large bird experience but have never had
    >>>>>> this level of possessiveness over me by a bird. I am
    >>>>>> concerned as he is chasing my 2 year old and 7 year old.
    >>>>>> They are not old enough or brave enough to be able to
    >>>>>> handle such an issue. My husband can handle him but not
    >>>>>> the kids. Can anyone suggest anything which may help? I
    >>>>>> appreciate any advice.
    >>>>>
    >>>>>
    >>>>> You state you have lots of large bird experience. What does
    >>>>> this truly mean? Many of us here have lots of big bird
    >>>>> experience, but also have common sense to go with it. Sorry
    >>>> to
    >>>>> be so blunt.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> You first concern is for your children, and in addition, the
    >>>>> birds safety. With your lots of big bird experience, you then
    >>>>> know that these birds can do much irreversible damage with
    >>>>> their beaks.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> In conclusion, you have a highly jealous Bird on your hands.
    >>>>> This is a very serious and potentially dangerous problem. I
    >>>>> suggest you go to Mytoos.com and ask all the questions you
    >>>> can
    >>>>> regarding this problem. This is the ultimate Toos site for
    >>>>> problem Toos.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> Another question for you. How much background do you have /
    >>>>> came with this adopted bird. A reputable Rescue would not
    >>>> have
    >>>>> adopted this bird to you if he had shown aggression to
    >>>>> children. Most don't adopt to families with small children
    >>>>> because of the risk factors. So I am assuming you got this
    >>>>> bird from an individual looking to rehome him.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> Please check out Mytoos.com. This would be your greatest
    >>>> asset.
    *********************************************************
    Can I ask what state you live in ? I do parrot rescue. And I have had
    problems like this before. I am rehabbing an umbrella right now that is
    the same way. I worry about your kids, they are not old enough to handle
    a bite from a cockatoo. Please email me I will see if I can help you.
    phparrots@gmail.com