Problem with a blue and gold macaw

[Masters2010]

Well my family has had a blue and golf macaw for about a year now and when we first got her she was really affectionate to me and would come on my shoulder. However lately she's been really viscious towards me and when I walk buy will try and reach out and bite me. Is there any way to stop this. I've been staying around her a lot more lately and she still hasn't warmed up to me at all and yet she loves my mom. Any ideas?

[sassy3n8fan]

First of all, how old are you and what sex? Since he likes your mom, he/she may just prefer females. Also, was this macaw your first parrot? Macaws are very large powerful animals, and they have a tendancy to intimidate people. They also happen to like it. Macaws are well-known for their lunging just to see your response. If you back away or jerk away, they've gotten their response, and they know they can bully you. When they call your bluff like this, and they win, they have just taken over your spot on the ladder in the flock (to them) and will continue to do so, until you call their bluff. They live in flocks, and will challenge for higher positions frequently, so they must be taught what is appropriate and what is not early, and often. Is the bird allowed out on the top of the cage? My birds aren't locked up, and they are allowed free access to the outside of their cage, but that's my personal preference. If the top of the cage is higher than you, this may present a dominance feeling for your bird. Again, they are higher up on the ladder than you. I would, a couple of times a day, take the bird from his/her cage, or have your mom take her out of the cage, and hold her. I always wear a sweatshirt for birds I am unsure of, as it is easier to avoid being bitten if they get a mouthful of shirt, but I would make her do it. Don't let her bully you, and show her that she's not going to bully her way out of it. Birds need to be socialized with different people in the house, so everyone can handle them. They need to learn that it is okay to be loved by everyone. It just takes time

[Masters2010]

I'm a 15 year old male. We were given the bird by someone who didn't have the time to care for them. We let her out of the cage all day but when I do try and handle her I stand on a chair to get taller than her. My mom takes her down a lot and I've tried interacting with her then but even then she lunges at me. I've gotten past her lunges a few time to scratch her head until she tries to bite my hand off. Anyways I'll try and flinch less and just spend more time around her. Even when I try and feed her from my hand she'll try and bite it though. I've tried just ignoring her lunges and putting my hand there to her only to have a bit bite mark in my finger.