My GCC is very sensitive to us missing time together.. ( and nearly always more nippy at first when we are back spending time together) parrots are highly socal creatures, that are always with their flock and or mate. It is inherently stressful to be alone .
Set up a routine where you spend st least 15 minutes together in morning before work or school. Mornings are very important to birds , they make sure everyone survived the night, they reafirm bonds before starting the day and foraging. Make it a special time for you 2. Make and share breakfast, hang out and talk as you get ready. This has helped many in their parrot relationships.
It's also really important to tell them goodbye when leaving, and go to them as soon as you get home to say hello. I also give treats as hello goodbye. This is also an important ritual, and soon as they know this always happens the feel more relaxed knowing. This is so important it was shared by a bird behavioral expert with my friend who had issues with her parrot, both the morning ritual and letting them know when leaving and when home.
Have a time that's kinda routine when you get home or early evening that for me I call mommy and me time with my GCC. It's our special time , she chats and tells me all about her quaker rivals ( lol I think ) then she is ready to show off little tricks then big cuddle. For us it's early evening after I put up all the others.
Incorporate your parrot into your st home time as much as possible. This doesn't have to be always focussed attention, it can be having them in a perch near you while you do chores .
On pellets, my GCC funks everything usually. But I use several kinds of pellets , as I just didn't want a fussy ester. But also it's still very important for hook bills to have seeds in diet . Most recommend 10% of daily diet. You can use this as treats or foraging if you like. Or I offer them late afternoon after they've had their veggies and pellets all day . Hopefully you fo offer fresh stuff?
On nippy....oh man my GCC would like to nip me every day . We avoid this unpleasantnrss . I pay very close attention to her body language, I understand that in a split second she can think my hand is now trying to kill her, or I've offered some insult. Often just a pause , a few soft words, and she is oh ok my bad let's cuddle again.
When I first let her out, I don't try and touch her right away her excitement is to high. I just let her out and visit with her, tend to cage. In a few minutes she has calmed down and is ready for step up and proper greeting.
If a bite looks like it might happen, I say be nice. If a bite happened I say no , in a calm voice, GCC do not tolerate scolding or high drama. Then I mover her to back of my chair or nearby perch. She is flighted it's ok if she flys back to me right away, we just carry in like nothing happened. If another happens right away I repeat above. 3 rd she goes back to cage fur a few minutes.
Take note of what situation is leading to bites. Set yourself up for success to avoid bites. Look at all bites as your fault, and get better at reading her .
Sometimes increased hormones is because they are trying desperately to convince you to be thier buddy and spend more time with them . It's like insecurities....it seems counterintuitive but spending more time together can actually lower this , often it's true. There are peak times if the year for hormones and thst is different, this isn't usually a peak time right now .
On plucking, it looks behavioral. Observer environment and see what might be stress trigger, and how you can enrich environment. Put perches on the outside of cage donuts an easy home base play gym. Set up at least 3 other areas around home as perch areas. Lots of creative ways to do this. I use ceiling hooks and fishing king to hang big hoops or spiral perches by windows, by my chair, by the breakfast bar. Provide easy to chew and destroy stuff. Gcc need some sofer wood and material. Provide a free choice bath every day. I use a serving dish with an inch or 2 of water. My GCC loves daily baths .
You guys can see lots of improvement. I have zero doubt! I've had hiccups before too. Safleflowet seed are my bribes if choice. And my GCC is sure a sucker for flattery and sweet talking.
