GC Conure aggressive after being reunited with owner.

[teamilk]

Hi all! This is my first post on this forum and I'm looking for some help with my GC. My bird, Ricco is around 9 years old and has always been an absolute sweet heart. I went to college for around 6 months and I just got him back into my dorm, I understand he's adjusting but his aggressive behaviors are getting out of control. Hes constantly screaming or "chirping" at me, persistently fluffed up and doing frequent head bobs when not given attention. I have to currently handle him with a glove as the second he sees bare skin he attempts to attack and draws blood.

I do realize this may be hormonal behaviors as I got him when I was a kid and unexperienced. Im mainly looking for advice on how to one, transfer him away from the glove and two, how to stop the biting. I dont mind his chattiness.
I've been just handling him frequently and keeping him out of the cage but this hasn't quelled any of the aggressive behaviors. And its like he wants to be held and pet, but the second it isnt the glove he bites.

Sorry if this is a mess or incorrectly formatted! Thank you.

 

[flyzipper]

How long has Ricco been back in the dorm?
What was his environment like before and what things may he be missing and mourning?

He likely needs more time to settle, but I'd also suggest taking his perspective and think about what has changed for him in this move. What's missing? What's new and annoying to him?

I'd also suggest leaving him in his cage as he settles so you both don't have the negative experience of the bites.

No gloves. If he bites you without them, that's him telling you he's not comfortable with you doing whatever it is you're doing. Listen to him. The gloves just allow you to force unwanted actions and compound the underlying issue.

 

[teamilk]

Ricco has been in the dorm for around 32 hours, he was exhibiting these biting behaviors when I visited him back at home as well. Nothing about his cage set up has been changed and hes completely content so long as its not skin touching him. When hes inside of the cage, he screams till hes taken out of the cage.
The only addition from what he would've been adjusted to is a bed but he seems to have no issue with it.

 

[Emma&pico]

What do you do when he bites you ?

 

[teamilk]

What do you do when he bites you ?

I put him down on his perch and have him step up onto my hand multiple times, so he redirects his aggression into moving.

 

[Emma&pico]

I would try saying no biting say it stern but not loud put him down and turn your back for a few seconds
Mine know what no biting means

 

[teamilk]

I would try saying no biting say it stern but not loud put him down and turn your back for a few seconds
Mine know what no biting means

will try, he's very attached to me so I think giving him space where he doesnt have my full attention will help. Thank you.

 

[Emma&pico]

will try, he's very attached to me so I think giving him space where he doesnt have my full attention will help. Thank you.

Definitely don’t allow him on you if he’s biting then he will soon get the message bites mean no attention

I also find trick training helps safflower seeds they will do anything for

 

[teamilk]

Definitely don’t allow him on you if he’s biting then he will soon get the message bites mean no attention

I also find trick training helps safflower seeds they will do anything for

hes picking it up quickly! i was able to touch him with my right hand and he allowed me to preen some feathers on his head. but the second he tried to bite i withdrew all attention and made it clear he wasnt getting any head scratches. Will go pick up safflower seeds monday for him. so far hes motivated by peanuts.

 

[Dartman]

He's probably very upset that you left him and he doesn't know why so he's being aggressive with you. Pippen understands gentle means she's biting or nibbling too hard and she usually calms down but she also does the exposed skin gets da bites if she's out. She got out the cage one day and I figured if I offered my hand she would just bite it so I pulled my hoodie sleeve over my whole hand and she hopped on nicely and rode back to her door and stepped in.
They do have weird triggers you have to figure out too but I think you've just lost his trust by leaving him so you have to slowly earn it back.