IRN doesn't like my mom, please help

[BlueMorgan1]

I think I might own the sweetest IRN on the planet, problem is, when he's around my mom, if he's not out-right ignoring her, he's being a little beast of a bird. The only way she can get him to come over to her is if she has some food he wants, and when she goes to take him out of the cage, he lunges at her. Always. He never lunges at anyone else, and he even likes strangers over my mom. My mom has come to terms with the bird not liking her, but I know it makes her sad, especially since she loves him so much and is always bringing him orange wedges and toys she thinks he'll like.

Is there anything I can do to encourage him to like her more? Or, if there just isn't anything to be done about that, get him to stop lunging? Also, is it normal for IRNs to just not like one person like this?

[imdnt]

Welcome to the forums!!

Believe it or not but your mum be wearing something that your IRN hates. Could be the colur of the clothing, perfume she wears etc ...

If you work out that it's not what your mums wearing, there is a simple training method that will help your IRN tolerate your mum.

Let your mum walk up to the IRN. As soon as he starts to pin his eyes, get your mum to stop where she is.

Once the IRN calms down, get your mum to leave the room. Give it a few seconds and repeat.

As the IRN becomes calmer, your mum can move closer and closer till she's at the cage.

Another option that worked for me was to sit at the cage and ignore the IRN whilst reading, watching tv etc.... Just get your mum to not acknowledge the bird. Also get her to not make eye contact as the IRN may think your mum is out to get him

[ellieelectrons]

How old is your ringie? What experiences did he have before coming to be with you? Someone I know has a Rehomed bird that hates blonde haired women... Because a former owner had been cruel to her and had blonde hair.

Whilst that doesn't solve your problem, it may help your mum to know it's probably not her that's the problem.

I like imdnts suggestions.

I wish your mum lots of luck! And it's nice that you care so much about your mum too.

Ellie.

[BlueMorgan1]

Morgan's eight years old, roughly. I got him when he was about six months. When I asked to hold him at the pet store he was at, they went and got a towel and sort of mushed him into the side of the cage to pick him up, instead of having him just step up. 8( So now towels and gloves get full-blown panic attacks. (This makes visiting the vet for wing and nail trimming interesting.) Beyond that, I really don't know much about his life previous to me. (In retrospect, that was sort of a sketchy pet store.)

This has been going on for years now, and I was hoping he'd start associating my mom with the treats and fun things she brings him, but its just not happening. I've waited so long because I figured, "he still freaks out over towels and gloves, maybe he just needs time." I'm baffled at what she could be wearing, so I'll try out the "hanging out near the cage" method. Thanks! @imdnt and ellieelectrons

[imdnt]

ahhh .. since Morgan's 8 yrs old, it may take quite a few months before he finally adjusts to your mum but it really depends on the bird.

Hang in there and let us know of any progress updates!!

[ellieelectrons]

Given what you've said about towels & gloves, it shows your bird has a good memory for things that have caused him trauma in the past. Poor little guy! Spending 5 or so months in a pet store with all sorts of people around may have caused your bird to develop some phobias based on bad experiences. Has your mum tried wearing a hat that covers her hair? It could be that someone with similar colored hair traumatized him. I guess you can try different things and see if anything makes a difference. If it's really disrupting your lives and the birds life you could consider getting a professional bird behaviorist to help you. Good luck. Since it's been so long now, this may be your best solution.

Ellie.

[ellieelectrons]

P.s. Another technique ive heard being used is everyone else in the family (including you) needs to stop giving your bird treats for a while until he starts to behave well towards your mum... If she is the only one giving the attention and the treats, hopefully that may help.

Ellie