Bug flies over but attacks

[Cjaye]

So I’ve had my female crimson bellied conure, Bug, for almost 6 months now. She has, like any baby (she is around 8 months old now), she has had her nippy stages. However, she’s been pretty weird around my dad; When my dad enters the room, Bug looks like she wants to go over to him and she almost always flies onto his shoulder. Thing is, if he tries to pet her she pretty aggressively tries to attack him. Im talking feathers ruffled, angry chirping, wings fluttered attacks. She moves her head very roughly and quickly at him, seriously trying to grab hold of his finger to pierce his skin. Why does she fly to him so much if she just attacks him when he tries to pet her? She doesn’t attack anyone else, only him.

 

[Icey]

So I’ve had my female crimson bellied conure, Bug, for almost 6 months now. She has, like any baby (she is around 8 months old now), she has had her nippy stages. However, she’s been pretty weird around my dad; When my dad enters the room, Bug looks like she wants to go over to him and she almost always flies onto his shoulder. Thing is, if he tries to pet her she pretty aggressively tries to attack him. Im talking feathers ruffled, angry chirping, wings fluttered attacks. She moves her head very roughly and quickly at him, seriously trying to grab hold of his finger to pierce his skin. Why does she fly to him so much if she just attacks him when he tries to pet her? She doesn’t attack anyone else, only him.

What does she do if he doesn't try to pet her?
Does she stay on him or fly off?

 

[Cjaye]

What does she do if he doesn't try to pet her?
Does she stay on him or fly off?

She just stays on him. Shes happy to be on him and flies to him too, but if he pets her she attacks no matter where she is. Ill pet her even and she will be snuggly but then he tries and shes vicious.

 

[Respect]

Will she let him touch her if she’s not on his shoulder? Or does she always attack his hands no matter what?

 

[Cjaye]

Will she let him touch her if she’s not on his shoulder? Or does she always attack his hands no matter what?

She attacks his hand even if shes not on him. She could be on someone else, in her cage, or just chilling and if he pets her, she attacks.

 

[Icey]

Hmmm that's strange. If she is on her cage, you can have her step up, I'm guessing.
Could your dad try the same thing so she gets used to his hands?
Also.Is there another male around that can handle her without her biting them?

 

[Cjaye]

Hmmm that's strange. If she is on her cage, you can have her step up, I'm guessing.
Could your dad try the same thing so she gets used to his hands?
Also.Is there another male around that can handle her without her biting them?

Yeah, I mean he does take her out of her cage. She will gladly go to him and fly to him, even from her cage, but then he tries petting her and she attacks. She can be anywhere and she will attack him if his hands get near her, even when shes is on him. She doesn’t do this with anyone else, not even other men. She is very sweet and enjoys being held and pet, but when he tries to pet her, she just goes wild. Its so strange, I dont understand why she does it so violently towards only him, especially after flying onto him.

 

[Respect]

Yeah, I mean he does take her out of her cage. She will gladly go to him and fly to him, even from her cage, but then he tries petting her and she attacks. She can be anywhere and she will attack him if his hands get near her, even when shes is on him. She doesn’t do this with anyone else, not even other men. She is very sweet and enjoys being held and pet, but when he tries to pet her, she just goes wild. Its so strange, I dont understand why she does it so violently towards only him, especially after flying onto him.

It could be that she doesn’t trust his hands, or doesn’t like something about them. Some birds will fear hands but still love being near people. If he shows any hesitation, fear, or over-excitement when trying to pet her or when she tries to attack, then she could also be doing it to get a reaction out of him.

For now I’d say if she doesn’t want him to pet her, then he shouldn’t. If he does, he should be doing it confidently and respectfully. If she tries to attack, he should calmly take his hand away without making a fuss and ignore her for a bit. This will show her that her body language is respected, without also encouraging her to do it for a reaction.

Will she take treats from him? That might help her to become less angry or fearful with his hands if that ends up being the cause.

Good luck with Bug!

 

[Cjaye]

It could be that she doesn’t trust his hands, or doesn’t like something about them. Some birds will fear hands but still love being near people. If he shows any hesitation, fear, or over-excitement when trying to pet her or when she tries to attack, then she could also be doing it to get a reaction out of him.

For now I’d say if she doesn’t want him to pet her, then he shouldn’t. If he does, he should be doing it confidently and respectfully. If she tries to attack, he should calmly take his hand away without making a fuss and ignore her for a bit. This will show her that her body language is respected, without also encouraging her to do it for a reaction.

Will she take treats from him? That might help her to become less angry or fearful with his hands if that ends up being the cause.

Good luck with Bug!

Yes, it could be that. It just strikes me as strange that she flies to him over other people but his hands are the only ones she attacks. She will take treats and food from him already. I have been telling him to just ignore her and not pet her if she attacks him, but he does react when she attacks so ill tell him to just calmly recoil next time. i just cannot make it make sense why she behaves that way. Thank you!