PDR - Living with Hormonal Eclectus; DISTRACTION

[MaryNat]

This information has been provided by Carolyn. The post discusses living with hormonal Eclectus, the onset of adolescence, and describes some techniques for distracting Eclectus from hormonal behaviors such as trying to mate with human flock members....<br><br>"LIVING WITH HORMONAL ECLECTUS"<br><br>The onset of Eclectus hormones is probably the most difficult time for both owner and bird but fortunately, it is only temporary and usually does not last longer than six months. Just as human teenagers go through a trying time (known as puberty) that can last for several years as they adjust to <br>the transition from childhood to adulthood, birds go through a similar but shorter period of adjustment.<br><br>Young Eclectus parrots go through a stage of establishing their independence which is definitely noticeable to the human owner. There are varying degrees of angst involved for both bird and adoptive family during this time. It is perfectly natural for the newly hormonal bird to sometimes act like the sweet baby that the family has enjoyed for months, and other times like a new avian personality that the family neither knows nor particularly enjoys. Just as human children do not achieve adulthood overnight, Eclectus take time to grow up and they mature in starts and stops -- displaying both their newly independent personality and the endearing and trusting dependence of a young bird. It isn't always easy to read their body language to determine their mood so it is a period of <br>adjustment for both bird and owner.<br><br>Eclectus are programmed to establish their independence at about the same time that they would lose their dependence on the parent birds in the wild. Imagine their difficulty with this transition when they are totally dependent on a human family for everything. They cannot leave our home to <br>establish a territory of their own so I think it is a testament to their intelligence and ability to adjust in difficult situations that they get through this stage without becoming completely neurotic. It is difficult for parrots to achieve independence in a foreign environment which makes them totally dependent upon humans.<br><br>Those of us who have survived the "family wreckage" of our human children's hormones during puberty have experienced the confusing and exasperating behavior of human teenagers as they became adults. That experience is in many ways similar to that of Eclectus parrots as they mature sexually. Having survived the transition through puberty of our children <br>gives us the peace of mind of knowing that the exasperating things our hormonal birds do to establish their independence and adjust to changes in their body and psyche are temporary. That helps to make the difficulties of this stage more bearable. Our ultimate goal is to maintain our loving bond of trust with our birds, just as we do with our children.<br><br>By giving our birds loving guidance during their transition to adulthood, we help them to live successfully in our homes. We might feel that we do a lot of adjusting and compromising to live with our birds, but just imagine how much flexibility is required of our birds! To live in our homes, they must switch gears on their energy levels from that of a creature who would fly many miles a day and be active for most of their waking hours, to a caged bird who probably NEVER flies and only gets mild physical exercise for an hour a day -- if they're lucky. This compromise causes untold frustration as evidenced by feather destruction, screaming, biting, and <br>other problems. In all these situations, we greatly underestimate the value of increased exercise for our birds.<br><br>As hard as it is for us to endure (especially when screaming is part of the way our birds release pent up hormonal energy), it is equally difficult for the birds. A little understanding and extra TLC will help to preserve the trusting bond that we have carefully developed with our Eclectus.<br><br>DISTRACTION does work! Offer favorite treats such as a plumped millet spray, for distraction. No matter how hormonal the bird, nothing else is important when there's a juicy millet spray available! Favorite toys can be used for distraction as well. Trick training is a lifesaver for the owner faced with a bird in transition.<br><br>EXERCISE works wonders too. Flying in place is the easiest way for non-flighted birds to burn off hormonal energy. They can be encouraged to fly in place until they are tired. Giving a caged bird time on an open perch equipped with swings, cotton ropes, and a Boing is also effective.<br><br>NON-STIMULATING INTERACTION with the owner is important. Petting the bird on the back, neck, or vent area should be avoided. All activity between owner and bird should be oriented toward fun or learning, rather than "pair behavior" like cuddling. This is a great time for trick training. There <br>are many web sites that explain trick training. Games between owner and bird can be as simple as peek-a-boo or as complicated as you can make it, as long as it holds the bird's interest.<br><br>MORE SLEEP or a decreased photo-period (light hours) can calm avian hormones and curtail mating behavior. This can be achieved by making bedtime earlier and wake up time later. Naps can also add sleep time to the schedule.<br><br>DIETARY RESTRICTIONS such as the lowering of protein content of foods can help. Serving less stimulating food substances like wheat germ and hemp seed also can make a difference. Providing less green foods (which are abundant during breeding season in many locations), and less soft foods can help to turn off the urge to mate and the accompanying frustration that causes screaming and other hormonal behavior.<br><br>CHANGE OF SCENERY has an amazing effect on a bird's focus. If you can move the cage or move the bird to a different aviary, your bird's interest will turn to something new like wild birds at an outdoor feeder that he can see from a window; a new potential mate if you have other birds of the same species, an aquarium with fish constantly moving about, or other interesting sights to which the bird is unaccustomed. Changing the cage appointments around is also helpful.<br><br>DISTRACTION from mating behavior: Obviously we do not want to confuse our birds about the appropriate species for their mating activity. To allow them to mate with our hands is to do them a serious disservice because we never know what the future will bring for our long-lived Eclectus companions. If it should become necessary to rehome our Eclectus, they need to be able to adapt to other situations, including an avian breeding program. The chances of success as a breeder are much improved by not being sexually bonded with <br>the wrong species. Sadly, some Eclectus males allowed to mate with a beloved human never figure out that a female Eclectus should be the object of their affection. Whether you use a stuffed toy, food, or other method of distraction, persistence and consistency are the keys to success. It is <br>important to immediately "change the subject" when sexual advances begin. You might try keeping a toy box or basket of interesting items that he likes to play with and when he tries to mate with your hand or arm, offer him one of the toys. It is surprisingly easy to get a curious Eclectus interested in something else. Hormonal behavior should never be punished. Ignoring it or distracting the bird from it work perfectly well.<br><br>TRICK TRAINING is another excellent method of distraction. Eclectus love learning simple tricks and look forward to the training sessions with their owner. It takes energy for aggression and sexual activity, and we can channel that energy into non-aggressive, non-sexual activity by using trick <br>training as a behavior modification tool. There is a lot of helpful information available online about how to begin trick training with your Eclectus.<br><br>Placing pet birds into a breeding situation is not always the answer to sexual behavior issues. A companion Eclectus might actually be traumatized by being forced to deal with a mate. Wheat germ and wheat germ oil should be removed from his diet since it appears to be sexually stimulating to birds. Some people believe that hemp seeds also promote breeding behavior but no one knows for sure whether this is true. A small percentage of Eclectus parrots also become hyperactive when given supplemental spirulina.<br><br>Distractions might include filling the hormonal bird's cage with fresh, clean and safe tree branches from which they can strip the bark and leaves. If the bird does not have ropes and swings already, provide them with these two toys which Eclectus especially enjoy. Food toys such as millet sprays, shish-ka-bobs, and green foods threaded through the cage <br>bars can help to occupy the bird's time. Also, untreated pine wood pieces and small magazines such as TV Guides, minus the shiny pages, provide safe distractions from screaming and feather destruction.<br><br>I have successfully dealt with several cases of hormonal behavior by using the "ultimate distraction" of moving the bird's home when an Eclectus developed an unacceptable pattern of behavior in their familiar surroundings. If you move the cage to an entirely different area of the house, your Eclectus is likely to behave quite differently for long enough to break this pattern. You could try having another family<br>member take over much of the bird's care for a short while, just long enough to break the pattern of screaming when he or she sees you. At the calmest time of day, you can begin brief visits with the bird again. Try to behave "differently"<br>when you visit in order to develop and define a new and different relationship. Try to promote an image of yourself as "flock leader". Avoid doing anything that you know will trigger sexual displays to you and/or screaming.<br><br>Do not give up on your hormonal Eclectus. Many times, unacceptable behaviors are temporary and can be stopped by making a few simple changes. It is only natural to feel disappointed and frustrated, but keep in mind that it is only temporary. Try to keep your eye on the goal of successfully <br>weathering the temporary hormonal storm and still being friends when all is calm again. Unconditional love and consistent guidance can see us through this trying time.<br><br>**************<br><br>We hope this information is of help to you.<br><br>Al and Mary<br>Cabby and Chardy (SIE) <p></p><i></i>