So Frusterated!

[mstomcat65]

I don't know if it's because its spring and she's hormonal or that fact that we have been in this cloudy rainy stuff for almost a week now. Lacey is soooo bitey!! She flies to me wherever I go just to bite me for what ever reason. Then two seconds later is doing her tweet tweet to me to so I say "good girl" to her. I have taught her to mimic tweet tweet to me and now she seems to use it as a contact call to get me to answer her. If I don't answer she's on her way to find me (and lately bite me) and then give me food, LOL. grrr! I have put her in her cage when she gets to the point where I can't take it anymore. She is ok with being in her cage while I get finished what i'm trying to get done so she don't seem upset by being in there. Anyone else have a female (or male) that is doing this? And how long do these hormonal swings last? thanks in advance

Marti

[Lovie]

Hi, Marti! So, my Birdie does that sometimes too. It especially happens when my bird is hungry, but when it's molting (it's going through its first molt right now), it's even worse. A little before it started molting, I had trained it to be much quieter than it was, since it used to shriek a lot. Then, when it started molting, it started up again, and it bit more often. I've been using positive reinforcement to try to get it to calm down. I praise it when it doesn't bite or when it makes cute noises, like how you said you praise Lacey for tweet-tweeting.

In terms of length, it depends. If it's the weather, it (obviously) would probably last until it clears up. If it's because Lacey's a little moody, you could try changing her environment or keep using positive reinforcement. But it's okay. We all know Lacey still loves you. :)

[mstomcat65]

thanks for your response lovie, I think you may be right about the molting thing. seems she's been doing that a lot lately. the weather keeps changing around here from warm to cooler again. we are have a very wet and cold spring... lows in the 30's again tonight with possible snow showers. she may very well be picking up on my mood too, lol.

[michael]

[snip]....... Anyone else have a female (or male) that is doing this? And how long do these hormonal swings last? thanks in advance

Marti

Yes. Whenever early spring arrives, my male lovebird (who's generally a real sweety pie) also succumbs to hormones. Sometimes it can last 1-4 weeks, other times its more sporadic. By about early summer his want to mate along with the associated overly protective behavior will have mostly diminished. Till then, i'm careful not to place my fingers wherever he thinks they don't belong. ..........:)

[mstomcat65]

Thanks Michael, i am also careful about sudden movements around Lacey. She seems to freak out more if she knows i'm trying to take her off me. She thinks she's supposed to be attached to me ALL day. Which is why i get so frusterated when she bites. lol. I've tried distracting her with toys or putting her near a window to watch what's going on outside... it don't last to long. It's good to know that this hopefully won't last to long :)