peggopanic
Meeting neighbors
Hi, been lurking for years when I had my yellow naped and recently (end of July) adopted an 11 year old male goffins. Not much history is known, the first owner of 10 years or so was a man that allowed him on the shoulder so Jeffrey is shoulder only (extremely difficult to manage this one, he’s shoulder only) and also a plucker and now just being crazy which seems normal for goffins? He’s had two owners in between that were men that I’m aware of, one for nearly a year until a few months ago and the most recent must’ve been a woman (she lasted a few weeks). So Jeffrey was usually kept uncaged in the store and was apparently friendly but around May/June he was placed into a cage as he started biting customers. He’s already had a biting habit as I was warned but recently, he’s come after my face. I’ve had him for less than 2 months so it’s been confusing with his behavior changing so much. I’d brushed his wings a few times or grabbed his body and shook him a few times for fun but have kept it mostly non sexual (head only). We bonded quite a bit at first but it seems like he’s realized I won’t mate so I’m not sure if he’s reacting badly. He was fine with my dad at first (covid, I’m at home with my elderly parents) but around 2-3 weeks ago, he actually started attacking him and today he actually flew from his cage to attack him. As for myself, I generally take him outside for sun in the mornings and evenings. A few days ago, he climbed down my chest (which he has done when running back and forth) and suddenly stopped on my chest to nip at my chin and when I tried to brush him away, he took a deep chomp into my hand which has been the worst since I’ve gotten him to be honest and traumatized me a bit. Anyway, he enjoys going outside and I’ve been experimenting. Earlier today he jumped onto my shoulder on the way out and as I walked a few yards, he suddenly climbed down the front and I immediately jerk and put my arms up to prevent him from attacking my face and he got my hand instead. His behavior has warped a few times, I believe he’s never attacked my mom cos he’s been courting her after failing to do so with me. He hasn’t bitten her hard or attacked her face but he does it to me now, half the time. I want to note that he refuses to step up on hands or sticks and only steps up on arms. I’d been pretty lax with ‘punishing’ as I don’t like to do so (but will force him into a cage) and I’m also afraid of him plucking even more. His feathers peeked through a bit this summer but he plucks for attention as well so I didn’t want him to start mutilating by forced cage time. But also want to note, he’s been biting harder. There’s obv more to the story but I’m a first time Too owner so wanted to see if this behavior sounds normal and how to approach it if so.