Our story was similar. Max (a wild severa macaw) "bonded" with my boyfriend. Then, as my friends say, "he just doesn't know how to play."
He would come down off his house and "sneak up" on an unsuspecting person. Often he'd get under some newspaper and you'd see the Sport's section creeping up on you. He loved to then jump out and "Gwack" or rap me with his beak. of course, it would surprise me and I'd jump or scream. [the pay-off for his game.] Then he started biting. The final straw was when he bit a sleeping person on the toe.
First we realized he did his "sneak up" act only around his house (within 8 feet or so.) We moved our "sleep-over" sofa further away.
We also created a high play space--table---another high play space for Maxie. He can fly, on clipped wing, but it's difficult for him to fly up, so with our new set-up he stays up.
These measures DID NOT address the behavior, just put an end to his sneak attacks.
To address the behavior we: brought him, on shoulder around more people, more often. [to desensitize him wrt "people."] We brought him to the porch and a different area (a rocking chair) daily. [to desensitize him wrt "HIS" ownership of space.] And, finally, during biting we used a stern "NO" and immediately brought him to his cage and locked him inside (Max is otherwise "free" and doesn't stay inside his cages much, he plays on top of the 2 cages or on his play table between the cages.) This last sanction seems to be the one that made a difference. Max did not like being in lock-up when every one else was clearly out and having a good time.
What would I do today? [and we may have to do it as Max's behavior tends to wax and wane]
I would
use Sandi's toweling-to-a-carrier technique.
http://theafricangreyparrot.com/forum/index.php/topic,2715.htmlEven though you would be using it to extinguish a different behavior, the "sneak attack."
Sandi says the bird will immediately recognize "the" towel so I would buy a special, noticeable towel: i.e. the PinkNaughtyTowel.
And I would quickly deposit the bird, with a stern "NO", into a small travel cage/carrier or into his cage in "lock-up." IOW somewhere that wasn't particularly rewarding to him. I would leave the NaughtyTowel out and in clear view but only use it during misbehavior.
I intend to use this on Maxie, if you try it and it works, or helps, let us know. Dana
