Why is my bird suddenly aggressive and biting family members?

I'm sorry to hear Minty isn't doing well. It is possible that there is an underlying issue such as pain or injury causing the aggression, especially if it came on rapidly or is a complete reversal of their usual behavior. Other issues such as sexual maturity, being startled by something, etc may also cause a bird to become fearful or aggressive. Removing any nesting material, providing some fun toys to interact with and spending time bonding/offering treats when Minty is calm and relaxed, rather than nervous or aggressive may help. If the behavior continues or worsens, or you see signs of illness, seeking a vet exam is always best to rule out any potential issues that could be causing the change.

If you've been working with him a lot on taming it could just be that he is finally getting used to you (this is good!) However, if you are concerned by his sudden behavioral change, or you are seeing any signs of illness, scheduling a vet checkup to rule out any health issues is always good.

Thanks for your question about Sunny. I am glad that you asked your question, because abrupt behavior changes are a cause for concern. Often these are related to illness, and this could be occurring even if Sunny doesn’t look sick to you. I would recommend having him evaluated by a veterinarian to see if they find any reasons for the aggression. They may recommend diagnostic testing depending on what they find, or they may prescribe some medications as well. Please don’t give Sunny any human medications at home, as many of these are harmful to our feathered friends. I hope that gives you a place to start, and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for reaching out and including photos. Training birds can be difficult, especially as they reach sexual maturity. Continue with the training process and establish a dominance hierarchy with you primary. A book titled "A Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot" is a good start. Good luck.

He may be going through a hormonal phase. At 2 years of age, he's going through his "teenage" years on his way to adulthood between 3-5 years. His behavior may be temporary and will require patience on your part. Some cage aggression may also be responsible as well. Have someone else remove him from the cage and take him to another room when you have to clean his cage or refill bowls. Speak softly and move slowly around him. Offer small treats and rewards. Do not force him step up onto your hand or interact with you. This will lead to a bite. Make sure he has a variety of toys and adequate attention from other to keep him engaged. The preferences with people will change over his lifetime. Cockatoos are quite lovable and he should eventually come back around to you as long as you are there for him.

What you can do really depends on what the cause is, so trying to find the cause is best. If you suspect illness, seeking out a vet appointment is a good first step to rule out any health issues or pain that can cause behavioral changes. Sometimes, aggression can be caused by boredom, stress or even an urge to mate. Adding in enriching toys or allowing Coco to explore his environment may help with boredom and keep him happier and occupied. Moving his cage to someplace quieter or without harassment by other pets and people can help reduce stress in addition to adding some fun toys or treats to play with. If he is trying to mate, sometimes changing the daylight hours and decrease protein amount in the diet can help, as well as distraction with interactive toys/ignoring/avoiding the behavior. If he does seem stressed and lash out, giving him a chance to calm down and relax before interacting again may also help.

It's possible Mithoo is very bored and is acting out as a form of attention. Adding in some enriching toys that she can play with, chew on, or that she has to work on to get a treat from may help her get out some of this extra energy. Some parrots don't ever speak or mimic sound, and may instead be more interested in other activities such as puzzle toys or learning tricks. Finding other ways to enrich her environment may help. You can also help bond by offering a favorite treat every time you approach her cage so she stats to associate you with positive things, instead of trying to bite you. Birds are like toddlers, so if she is trying to get out, she is likely excited and wanting to explore her surroundings more. If she does like to explore, hiding treats or favorite food items in the area she plays in may encourage her to explore and get out some energy- just make sure the room she is in is safe for her to fly around. If extra activity doesn't help, or she shows any signs of illness, scheduling a vet check up to rule out any health issues that may be causing pain or stress is always a good idea.