I'm blowing it with my new GCC

[KiMa27]

Help! I've been having such a tough time with my new green-check conure, Piquito. I know it takes time but I lost my temper yesterday after he fell and I tried to pick him up (and got bit 16 times, I have the bite marks & blood blisters to prove it).

Piquito is plucking more and becoming more agressive. He's the kind of biter that doesn't break the skin often but bites and clamps down and won't let go. I'm clearly not understanding his body language because he'll look okay then I'll go over to get close, not look directly at hime and just talk softly to him, then WHAMMY, he lunges. He squawks and lunges everytime my husband or I get within 4 feet then attacks his toys.

His plucking is getting worse too. He was slightly plucked when I got him. I got worse (understandable in a new strange environment) for awhile, started to get a bit better but now he's plucking down to the skin on his shoulders.

On top of all that, he stays up late at night and cries (that's what it sounds like anyway, it's so sad). His foster mom said she would go check on him and give him a treat when he did that so I've been ignoring the behavior because it sounded like a learned behavior to get snacks.

Then in the last month he's started chewing the paper at the bottom of the cage. I've seen videos of GCCs preening paper - it's amazing how they do it - but is it healthy? He was taking several days to complete his work on a 34x26 section but now is getting it done in one night. Is this healthy? I've tried adding some paper shredding toys to the cage but he doesn't seem interested in those.

One last bit of info - he hates hands but if I lie down next to thim when he gets on the floor he'll come over and snuggle up next to my head. No biting at all.


So..... I realize this is on me. I've lost my patience a couple times when he tried to fly and hit the floor (he only has one wing). It really sent things back. I'm trying step-up training but not having luck (target training is great though). I think I need to start from scratch - give him loads of space, don't look at him, talk softly, don't get near the cage, etc. I'm trying to understand his body language. What else should I do? I feel like I've really muffed this up and it's going to be doubly-hard now to get him to trust me and want to step up, etc.

Appreciate everyone's ideas and feedback!!!


Here's a couple pics of his designs. They're actually amazing but if it's an unhealthy behavior I will move the paper to under the cage grill.

(The first photo is when he first started his paper art and before he really started plucking those shoulders raw.

 

[patchyjoon]

Kristen,

It sounds a little like anxiety/distress. Have you seen a vet? Maybe getting him on some anti-anxiety medication could help if they find nothing physically wrong with him. Just enough to get him settled. I'm sorry you're going through all of this. It sounds like you're really trying with him.

 

[patchyjoon]

Help! I've been having such a tough time with my new green-check conure, Piquito. I know it takes time but I lost my temper yesterday after he fell and I tried to pick him up (and got bit 16 times, I have the bite marks & blood blisters to prove it).

Piquito is plucking more and becoming more agressive. He's the kind of biter that doesn't break the skin often but bites and clamps down and won't let go. I'm clearly not understanding his body language because he'll look okay then I'll go over to get close, not look directly at hime and just talk softly to him, then WHAMMY, he lunges. He squawks and lunges everytime my husband or I get within 4 feet then attacks his toys.

His plucking is getting worse too. He was slightly plucked when I got him. I got worse (understandable in a new strange environment) for awhile, started to get a bit better but now he's plucking down to the skin on his shoulders.

On top of all that, he stays up late at night and cries (that's what it sounds like anyway, it's so sad). His foster mom said she would go check on him and give him a treat when he did that so I've been ignoring the behavior because it sounded like a learned behavior to get snacks.

Then in the last month he's started chewing the paper at the bottom of the cage. I've seen videos of GCCs preening paper - it's amazing how they do it - but is it healthy? He was taking several days to complete his work on a 34x26 section but now is getting it done in one night. Is this healthy? I've tried adding some paper shredding toys to the cage but he doesn't seem interested in those.

One last bit of info - he hates hands but if I lie down next to thim when he gets on the floor he'll come over and snuggle up next to my head. No biting at all.


So..... I realize this is on me. I've lost my patience a couple times when he tried to fly and hit the floor (he only has one wing). It really sent things back. I'm trying step-up training but not having luck (target training is great though). I think I need to start from scratch - give him loads of space, don't look at him, talk softly, don't get near the cage, etc. I'm trying to understand his body language. What else should I do? I feel like I've really muffed this up and it's going to be doubly-hard now to get him to trust me and want to step up, etc.

Appreciate everyone's ideas and feedback!!!


Here's a couple pics of his designs. They're actually amazing but if it's an unhealthy behavior I will move the paper to under the cage grill.

(The first photo is when he first started his paper art and before he really started plucking those shoulders raw.
View attachment 467100 View attachment 467101

As for the biting, do we know old old he is? I know Patchy is giving me... HORRIBLE bites rn! It started right as he turned one. I started putting him in his cage everytime he bit me to teach him that's not okay. I also hide a lot of high value treats in there so he willingly goes back most of the time.

 

[patchyjoon]

I don't think you're blowing it! I'd also get frustrated. I can see on his face that this little guy definelty wants to be loved but must've had a rough past. For the night frights/screaming, Patchy would freak out sometimes so I took one of my old shirts and made a pillow by cutting out two square pieces and stuffing it with some undyed crinkle paper and put it on the bottom to catch him if he ever fell as well as a place for him to lay and cuddle if he needs it. He uses it a couple times a month. It seems like he really likes it. Maybe something similar would be good Piquito since he only has 1 wing? So if he falls he won't get injured but also something that reminds him of you!

 

[KiMa27]

Kristen,

It sounds a little like anxiety/distress. Have you seen a vet? Maybe getting him on some anti-anxiety medication could help if they find nothing physically wrong with him. Just enough to get him settled. I'm sorry you're going through all of this. It sounds like you're really trying with him.

Oh thank you, I meant to mention that Piquito did get a full workup from the vet and everything came back great. No health issues. I would love to give him anti-anxiety meds but what if it's not anxiety, it's just fear and frustrating ad being in a new home? Real anxiety I can see benefiting from meds but I'd hate to medicate him for normal feelings like fear and frustration.

 

[KiMa27]

As for the biting, do we know old old he is? I know Patchy is giving me... HORRIBLE bites rn! It started right as he turned one. I started putting him in his cage everytime he bit me to teach him that's not okay. I also hide a lot of high value treats in there so he willingly goes back most of the time.

He was dropped offer at a PetsMart after he lost his wing and the man who brought him in didn't offer any info so we have no idea how old but it's been at least 2 years since PetsMart plus my vet says he has the very beginnings of characters and estimated him to be around 10. That said, he could be hormonal since the days are getting longer. He's very attuned to when it's light out and when it's not.

 

[patchyjoon]

Oh thank you, I meant to mention that Piquito did get a full workup from the vet and everything came back great. No health issues. I would love to give him anti-anxiety meds but what if it's not anxiety, it's just fear and frustrating ad being in a new home? Real anxiety I can see benefiting from meds but I'd hate to medicate him for normal feelings like fear and frustration.

I'm so glad he doesn't have any health issues. I only mention it just because we went through issues w/ Patchy and did end up going with that route when we first got him. He had bad seperation anxiety and when I left for work-trips he ended up trying to pluck, and even hyperventillated sometimes too. We haven't had this issue now ever since he became flighted/got super comfortable in our place. This took around a year and a half. Another option could be getting some chamomile tea? I get mine from Bird Street Bistro. It just seems from what you mentioned that he's stressed out, so anything that could ease his stress would likely help with the plucking.

Have you tried any other toys other then the paper? Maybe adding some foraging toys in there could entertain him, or other soft woods would interest him more then his own feathers... It's tough. It's really noble that you decided to take him on.

 

[Emma&pico]

You could try safflower seeds in paper foraging toys are a good idea even just paper over his bowl or shredded paper in his bowl

I do wonder if it’s got a lot to do with fact he can’t fly I am assuming he could fly before his wing accident ?

how long have you had him

gcc body language can be quick but I do think a lot of people misread the strutting square head puff up neck that’s a 100% leave me alone

can you try taking away your hands cover them in a hoodie see if he will step up onto your arm

 

[TikiMyn]

I am sorry you are having trouble with him. It must feel horrible to have his plucking increased Don't blame yourself, you are trying to help him and not responsible for the initial bad state he was in. You are only trying to make him feel better.

Does he take treats from you or a cup you are holding? Is he treat motivated? Does he try to fly often? Does he enjoy your other birds or is he more scared of them? Is he comfortable if you 'leave him alone'?
Sorry for the questions, he sounds like an interesting individual, hope you can get a handle on improving his happiness.

I can imagine the trying to fly bit is horrible. I have a caique with exactly 1 primary flight feather on both wings combined. She scared easily

 

[KiMa27]

Thanks, Emma and Robin. Here's answers to your questions.

I don't know if he could fly before the accident, that's a great question though - the oldest history I have on him is when he was dropped off (with 2 other GCCs) in a shoebox at Petsmart by a man who didn't provide any information about the birds, just that he no longer wanted them.

I have had him for 4 months. Before me he was with a wonderful foster mom for about 4-6 months and before that the woman who brought him home from Petsmart but surrendered him because she didn't have enough time to give him.

I'm not sure what the square head look is? I'm going to try and Google it.

I've tried getting him to step up on my sleeve or shoulder, he just bites right through the material. He's got a strong clamping beak, I'll tell ya! He is comfortable once he's on my shoulder though and settles down with no biting (experience from when I got on the floor and let him climb into my shoulder after he'd fallen a couple times. It works much better than trying to scoop him up or getting him to step up.)

He definitely takes treats. It took a couple weeks to get him to take treats from my fingers but he does great with it - 99% he's gentle, just the rare lunge.

He seems to try to fly often, though it's possible he's just flapping for exercise. Everything he does is so fast (it's my first GCC) it's hard for me to tell. I do think he's trying to fly though.

He's not scared of the other birds. He seems VERY happy to be part of a flock vs being an only bird. His reactions to the other birds range from "I don't really care about you so much but I'll squawk back every single time you do!" to "I'm so in love with you, Nikko, I can't stand it!!!"

He does not like to be left along and will start calling for us, but we try to be very careful to not go to him when that happens. We have a rule that you have to wait 30 seconds before entering their area after he squawks. We literally count to 30 before going in. Sometimes there's a lot of counting, lol!!! The only time he seems to settle when we're out of the room is either when he thinks we're not home or when Nikko, my Nanday, is in the room with him.


Your poor Caique, Robin! It is disheartening to see them try so hard to fly when it's not an option for them.

 

[webchirp]

Ask your vet about paroxetine. I have three on it and perhaps gabapentin. It is also the height of hormone season. Giggie (ugh I’m afraid to type it) has not mutilated this year. She is on gabapentin and paroxetine and has been for several years.

And some birds are just turds and don’t want to be touched. Rocco will fillet you if you try to touch him. But he very much enjoys toes and faces. No clue about the toes but if my foot is up he’ll rub his head all over my toes. Little weirdo. And remember some humans have a hard time with being an amputee, I can’t imagine what an animal goes through.

The most important thing for you…each day is a new day and you can start again. One day at a time.


Paroxetine for Giggie and gang is 1mg/ml and gabapentin is 50mg/ml for compounding. Giggie’s dose is high at .02 and the other two get .01.

 

[patchyjoon]

Ask your vet about paroxetine. I have three on it and perhaps gabapentin. It is also the height of hormone season. Giggie (ugh I’m afraid to type it) has not mutilated this year. She is on gabapentin and paroxetine and has been for several years.

And some birds are just turds and don’t want to be touched. Rocco will fillet you if you try to touch him. But he very much enjoys toes and faces. No clue about the toes but if my foot is up he’ll rub his head all over my toes. Little weirdo. And remember some humans have a hard time with being an amputee, I can’t imagine what an animal goes through.

The most important thing for you…each day is a new day and you can start again. One day at a time.


Paroxetine for Giggie and gang is 1mg/ml and gabapentin is 50mg/ml for compounding. Giggie’s dose is high at .02 and the other two get .01.

Similar gaba dosage to what Patchy recieved when he was first adjusting Glad your flock isn't plucking anymore!

 

[KiMa27]

Ask your vet about paroxetine. I have three on it and perhaps gabapentin. It is also the height of hormone season. Giggie (ugh I’m afraid to type it) has not mutilated this year. She is on gabapentin and paroxetine and has been for several years.

And some birds are just turds and don’t want to be touched. Rocco will fillet you if you try to touch him. But he very much enjoys toes and faces. No clue about the toes but if my foot is up he’ll rub his head all over my toes. Little weirdo. And remember some humans have a hard time with being an amputee, I can’t imagine what an animal goes through.

The most important thing for you…each day is a new day and you can start again. One day at a time.


Paroxetine for Giggie and gang is 1mg/ml and gabapentin is 50mg/ml for compounding. Giggie’s dose is high at .02 and the other two get .01.

Thank you, that is a good idea to explore! I will text my vet and ask about it. I did start Piquito on chamomille tea 3 days ago, it seems to help a bit although last night he was making this pitiful crying sound for awhile and it really tears at my heart strings!!! Makes me feel like a bad parront, lol. I did read online several places that this is normally a total trick GCC's like to pull to get you to come in. So I'm going to stick to my plan of comlpetely ignoring it for now. Wish me luck!

Good point about being an amputee, it can't be easy to want to fly but not being able to. My Alexandrine, Benny, was apparently stepped up before he was surrended to a rescue and one of his wings only extends out about an inch. It really frustrates him too.


Your boo's toe fetish makes me laugh!!! Sure it's a bit weird but I'm guessing it's adorable too.

 

[KiMa27]

Regarding the paper 'art' Piquito has started creating at nights.... what do you all think? Is it okay? Is it a hormonal thing I need to try and prevent? Do I pull the paper out (and just put it below the grill instead)? I got him some paper shredding toys and I will definitely try the food/treats in paper trick (thanks, Emma!) but just curious about whether or not to keep that paper in the bottom of the cage.

 

[Emma&pico]

Regarding the paper 'art' Piquito has started creating at nights.... what do you all think? Is it okay? Is it a hormonal thing I need to try and prevent? Do I pull the paper out (and just put it below the grill instead)? I got him some paper shredding toys and I will definitely try the food/treats in paper trick (thanks, Emma!) but just curious about whether or not to keep that paper in the bottom of the cage.

I would personally move it under grill pip and remi love shredding blue roll if I let them but I’ve noticed they get aggressive with it

 

[Emma&pico]

Thank you, that is a good idea to explore! I will text my vet and ask about it. I did start Piquito on chamomille tea 3 days ago, it seems to help a bit although last night he was making this pitiful crying sound for awhile and it really tears at my heart strings!!! Makes me feel like a bad parront, lol. I did read online several places that this is normally a total trick GCC's like to pull to get you to come in. So I'm going to stick to my plan of comlpetely ignoring it for now. Wish me luck!

Good point about being an amputee, it can't be easy to want to fly but not being able to. My Alexandrine, Benny, was apparently stepped up before he was surrended to a rescue and one of his wings only extends out about an inch. It really frustrates him too.


Your boo's toe fetish makes me laugh!!! Sure it's a bit weird but I'm guessing it's adorable too.

Yes remi and pip love making silly noises to get attention they are noisiest out of all my birds pip will just sit screaming for a good hour at min as soon has he’s back in cage

 

[patchyjoon]

I would personally move it under grill pip and remi love shredding blue roll if I let them but I’ve noticed they get aggressive with it

Agree. It'll motivate him to play with his toys more.

 

[kadeconure]

Regarding the paper 'art' Piquito has started creating at nights.... what do you all think? Is it okay? Is it a hormonal thing I need to try and prevent? Do I pull the paper out (and just put it below the grill instead)? I got him some paper shredding toys and I will definitely try the food/treats in paper trick (thanks, Emma!) but just curious about whether or not to keep that paper in the bottom of the cage.

I have heard of birds trying to nest under their cage paper. My gcc loves to shred paper when he’s nesty too. I’d put it under the grate. and, I don’t think you’re blowing it; figuring out a new species is hard. You’re definitely treating him better than that man who dropped him off at the petsmart surely was.

 

[KiMa27]

I have heard of birds trying to nest under their cage paper. My gcc loves to shred paper when he’s nesty too. I’d put it under the grate. and, I don’t think you’re blowing it; figuring out a new species is hard. You’re definitely treating him better than that man who dropped him off at the petsmart surely was.

Thank you for saying that. I think part of my struggle is I'm not feeling a strong bond with him yet. I have been lucky in the past that all the birds I've lived with liked me right away. Guess it had to change sometime...

Paper is now under the grill. Hopefully he'll calm down a bit. Also have a vet appt set up. I'll post an update with her recommendation.

 

[KiMa27]

Wanted to post a quick update - Piquito saw our wonderful vet on Thursday. She did some bloodwork to rule out infection or parasite (waiting on results) but overall he looks healthy and is a good weight, etc. So chances are it's purely a behavioral issue, which is tough but better than a health issue.

The really CRAZY thing is while I was at the vet, Piquito was sweet as pie - stepping up for the Vet and her assistant. I was kind of shocked and the vet decided to pass him over to me. I expected the normal flurry of bites but darn it if the little guy didn't just step up then run up my arm and snuggle into my neck. It was SO SWEET but ultimately a ploy, as he was back to his agressive little self when I got him home, lol. Seriously though, it was very encouraging to see him being sweet and cuddly and I'm hopeful we'll get to that point. The vet figures his agression is tied to his cage but he bites just as freely when on the gym, floor needing a pick up, you name it so I don't know...

Piq is completely in love with Nikko. Do you think the agression could be tied to his being jealous that I handle Nikko in front of him sometimes?

Here he is waiting in the weighing bin for the vet to come in. I think he was plotting his revenge against me for putting him in this situation!