Strange Behaviour from my IRN - Help Please

[gravy1nt]

Hi all,

Thanks to one of our fellow forum members, I identified my adopted bird Blue as an Indian Ringneck.

He has a few strange behaviours though... Not sure why, if this is normal or how I should react.

1. Positive Behaviour Around My girlfriend.
Constantly pesters her and wants to be around her.
Constantly craves attention from her.
Climbs onto her hand / finger when she puts it in front of her.
Seems to purr and put head down when she strokes her.

2. Negative Behaviour Around My Girlfriend
Always bites her hard - enough to cause bruising.
Sometimes goes to attack her - enough to make my girlfriend scared of handling the IRN.
Sometimes appears to puff up his feathers, his eyes will go beady and appear to growl before he tries to bite her.

3. Positive Behaviour around me
Never ever bitten me

4. Negative Behaviour Around Me
Always runs / flies away from me
Doesn't let me pick her up / handle her at all.
If I hold her to my chest and stroke, after about 10 seconds, tries to run / fly away.
Sometimes climbs onto my finger, but then flies off within seconds.
Always takes food from my hand, but then runs away with the food - as if it think's Im just giving it food to catch it or something.

So basically, we are in a situation where my girlfriend loves the attention and relationship she has with Blue, but is completely frightened that she will lose a finger. Then I am in a situation where I am happy that Blue has never bitten me, but if I'm honest - completely jealous that Blue doesn't let me anywhere near him.

We play with him every day without fail, and he spends between 6 and 12 hours per day out of the cage flying about the house, perched on the telly or walking around on the sofa.

We have had Blue since mid august - do you think Blue is still settling in - what do you recommend in terms of taming him and building a good relationship with him?

Why do you think he bites the missus but never bites me?

[MissK]

Hey gravy1nt,

Blue only bites your girlfriend because she's sweeter than you.
-MissK

[gravy1nt]

Thanks for the tips... Much appreciated. I will let my girlfriend know about mimicking the sounds Blue makes when he bites.

I will also try to start offering him little treats so that he has to keep coming back for more and ensure that he has some alone time with me every day also.

I will keep you all updated on progress...

Thanks again.