Personalities -

I got bitten tonight; the worst in quite awhile. My White-fronted Amazon, Angel (not sure how fitting that name is) was the culprit. He was out on a perch. He is a rather unpredictable bird that doesn’t like to be touched, but will jump onto your hand quickly. He also bites without warning or provocation. He is fully-flighted, which will change in the next few days. Angel was out on a perch and decided to fly and land on top of Siggy’s cage (Green-cheeked Amazon). Siggy has been with me for 24 years and I am very protective of him. I jumped out of my chair as they were going at each other with Lucy, my Grey on my hand. Lucy doesn’t get off quickly, so I stuck my hand in the middle of the two male Amazons. Angel hit me with some minor bites, then grabbed on hard between my thumb and next finger, and didn’t let go. I was screaming with a Grey on my right hand and swinging my left hand with an Amazon hanging on. When he let go, Kathy had arrived and took Lucy. Then Angel was really aggravated and still wanted to fight. He went from cage to cage, with me chasing him and trying to get him to return to his cage. He would not step onto my hand, and as soon as I got him on a stick, he would fly to another cage where the process of my trying to prevent injuries would take place again. Finally, a towel came into play and he was put back into his cage.

Hand washing and peroxide came next. I took coumedin, but this bite didn’t want to stop bleeding, and it hurt. You are probably wondering where I am going with this. Basically, that the entire situation could have been avoided had I paid attention to the signs. Each and every bird that I have has his or her own individual personality and behaviors that go along with their personality.

Angel has been with me a couple of years and we know each other fairly well. Prior to his flight, he had been very aggressive towards Kathy. We thought he was protecting me and kind of ignored it. He may also have been attempting to protect Kathy from me. (We have never really figured out where his allegiance lies.) Either way, there were several other birds out in the room, and I know that when Angel gets aggravated, he often takes flight (and sometimes when he isn’t aggravated). The whole situation could have been avoided had I read the signs and returned Angel to his cage. If I had been paying better attention to Angel, knowing his personality, I could have defused the situation. It wasn’t the bird’s fault; it was mine.

Parrots are like people. They all have different personalities. I think that is one of the things that make them such interesting companions. Angel is like a sociopath with an attitude. He still has many good points though and when he wants it, loves our company and attention. I have to accept him for who he is. Maybe if I gave him more attention he might mellow out some, but maybe not. He came to us with his present personality.

Siggy likes to stay on the outside of his cage and will sit for hours about a foot away from me on a perch that extends out. An occasional pet, peanut and pine nut and he is content. On the other hand, he plays aggressive towards everyone else when he is on his cage. He is especially jealous of Abby, the Green-wing and Angel, but not really so much anyone else.

Stasha, a Blue & Gold Macaw, is very sexually bonded to me, and for this reason we need to keep an eye on her at times, especially if Kathy is in the room. She continually attempts to tell me to be careful of Kathy and her warnings hurt at times. I try to tell her that I am aware of Kathy’s evil intent, but she doesn’t listen. At other times, Stasha can be an extremely affectionate bird.

Sunny is a Jenday Conure, that as a baby was transferred to us as a Sun. Sunny can fly, whether or not she is clipped. She is very bonded to me and will fly to me, regardless of where she is perched. The problem is that she doesn’t always use discretion and flies through enemy territory, which can become very dangerous for her depending on who else is out at the time. After her arrival on me, she spends her time attempting to gratify herself on various parts of my anatomy. With a tiny bird like her it is kind of comical. She is also nippy at times and has little birdy temper tantrums when she doesn’t get her own way.

Spanky (Senegal) is my nemesis. He is extremely bonded to my wife and tolerates the rest of the world. Yours truly, on the other hand, he hates and makes every attempt to attack me. I have to be extremely careful feeding and watering him, even though the cups have outside access. I cannot attempt to do anything with the cups inside the cage. If I lean near the cage, a bite is to be expected.

Silly is a Sun that Kathy handfed from a tiny baby. She is a real snuggler with Kathy and will spend her time in Kathy’s shirt or snuggling her neck. Silly and I get along, but it is obvious whom she wants to be with.

Lucy, my Congo Grey, is about 10 months old now and a real sweetheart. She is a little love sponge and is happiest when she is with me. Lucy has gone through nippy and rebellious stages, but is coming along nicely. I learn a little more with each bird and hopefully, do a little better in helping to develop its personalities. I think she is the most intelligent bird I have, and she knows it.

Abby, the Green-wing is about 6 months old and going through a difficult stage. She is learning to use her beak and has to learn where and when that is okay. I was teaching her to fly to me when called and she was doing pretty well however, she also realized that she could avoid me with those big wings when she chose. She now has a moderate trim and we will see what happens when she gets a little older in terms of free flight. Abby also loves physical contact all over her body when she is in the mood. She will be a baby for a fair amount of time, and we will watch her personality develop. Hopefully, we will supply some positive direction to that development through our love and guidance.

That doesn’t cover all of our birds, but most. They all have their good and not so good points, and their own personalities. We contribute to their personalities and especially when we raise a baby, are major contributors. I love all my birds for different reasons, just like with my human friends. It is my responsibility to consider their individual personalities and understand them, just as I would with my human companions. It is a little more effort with the birds, as I need to understand them from a parrot point of view. Kathy will accept Stasha or Sunny attempting to gratify themselves on various parts of my anatomy. She would not be quite so understanding of one of my female human companions. That is a part of Kathy’s personality that is very clear to me. Till next time, Be Healthy and Happy. Ed