I'm blowing it with my new GCC

[kadeconure]

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!
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The picture is so cute! He could just be protective of the whole area of your house. I would also bet he is jealous of you or niko. I had been doing some training with my green cheek where he was rewarded for not trying to bite if I touched he head, and now he enjoys head scratches when he used to not allow hand anywhere near him. Piquito definitely has a sweet side, I'm sure you will get more of it overtime.

 

[Dartman]

Could be cage aggression. See what happens once he's away from his cage. If he's suddenly really nice and gets bad once he's near his house there you are. Might be why he was so nice at the vets too, no home to defend so happy camper.

 

[KiMa27]

The picture is so cute! He could just be protective of the whole area of your house. I would also bet he is jealous of you or niko. I had been doing some training with my green cheek where he was rewarded for not trying to bite if I touched he head, and now he enjoys head scratches when he used to not allow hand anywhere near him. Piquito definitely has a sweet side, I'm sure you will get more of it overtime.

I will try that, thanks!!

 

[KiMa27]

Could be cage aggression. See what happens once he's away from his cage. If he's suddenly really nice and gets bad once he's near his house there you are. Might be why he was so nice at the vets too, no home to defend so happy camper.

I originally thought that was it but he's just as aggressive on his perch and the few times he fell off and needed to be picked up... Part of it is me for sure, I lose my patience sometimes.

 

[Dartman]

All birds are little receptors of our moods, he may be picking up on your recitence and feeding it back to you so he gets aggressive. Pippen just likes to nibble and bite but if she manages to get out she's a bit more receptive to stepping up if she ends up on the floor, plus I think she has hand issues. One time I was changing her water and she managed to slip out and was on the lamp next to her house. I didn't want to get bit all the way up my arm to my hand so I pulled my sleave completely over my hand and she stepped on nicely and rode back inside no drama.
You just have to figure out the triggers and adjust till you find something that works. They are kind of hard to read sometimes. Dobby you know right away where his attitude is and he loves to bluff or tap to get his point across, but be calm and persistent and he'll step up even if he continues to fluff and voclize his displeasure.

 

[KiMa27]

Happy weekend, Everyone! We moved Piquito into a newer, brighter cage and although is hasn't tampered his aggression he does seem to really like it! He even graced us with some new feathers! Hopefully he'll keep these ones...

 

[KiMa27]

All birds are little receptors of our moods, he may be picking up on your recitence and feeding it back to you so he gets aggressive. Pippen just likes to nibble and bite but if she manages to get out she's a bit more receptive to stepping up if she ends up on the floor, plus I think she has hand issues. One time I was changing her water and she managed to slip out and was on the lamp next to her house. I didn't want to get bit all the way up my arm to my hand so I pulled my sleave completely over my hand and she stepped on nicely and rode back inside no drama.
You just have to figure out the triggers and adjust till you find something that works. They are kind of hard to read sometimes. Dobby you know right away where his attitude is and he loves to bluff or tap to get his point across, but be calm and persistent and he'll step up even if he continues to fluff and voclize his displeasure.

GCCs certainly are different from the other conures I've had! Thanks for all the helpful feedback. I'm sure we'll get it sorted eventually.