Mate Bonds and Strong Instincts

I've been observing some interesting behaviors in the resident turkey population. In this grouping, there are many more Toms than hens.

These Toms are dead set on impressing the hens and can make themselves huge and very impressive!

The hens don't seem to pay much attention but the big males puff up and butt each other in the chest which launches them into the air. Quite a show for me and the girls.

What does all this have to do with our parrots? The instinct to find a mate and bond is very VERY strong. When our parrots are cuddled and handled in affectionate ways, they bond inappropriately to us. This creates a monster that has urges to drive away all competition and secure a territory. Behavior issues that are relationship or bond related are difficult to manage. Asking someone who loves their parrot to stop giving affection is not winning me any brownie points. Beyond the aggressive territorial behaviors are the frustrated parrot who picks at its own feathers to the point of fuzzy denuding mutilation.

Encouraging a parental/teacher relationship to change the dynamic of the relationship and build a different purpose in life for the parrot is one way to divert aggressive territorial behaviors. You can't take the wild out of the parrot. You can establish a healthy rapport (read respect) that lets the parrot know who is setting the rules.