09/07/2025
Parrot hand aversion, a common behavioural issue, occurs when a parrot shows fear or aggression towards hands. This aversion is often due to past negative experiences or how hands are presented, and it's important to understand that it's not a reflection of the relationship but rather a response to perceived threat or discomfort. This is such a common problem among companion parrots who have complex social structure's and rules when it comes to touch and personal space. For a while now Griffin hasn't liked hands to approach from above or behind, nor does he like being touched on the top of the head or back of the neck. He prefers hands to come straight to his face and beak even for scritches. This may be something I have created unintentionally that I wasn't aware of or it may just be something he developed on his own. Since I've had to reach over him to move objects in some of our training sessions I've been more aware of it. Today we addressed it. Just a few minutes of training can alleviate the next 50 years or more of anxious energy that Griffin would have potentially had around these interactions. That's a lot of unnecessary angst.
Unfounded fear or aggression to anything in a parrot's daily environment, can and should be addressed at any age or severity. Again, the best results are achieved when we are able to manipulate the environment in such a way that our bird thinks it's his idea. I don't want him to succumb to it and tolerate it. I want him to be hyperfocused on achieving it. I have again clipped this down to the beggining and the end. I did film the entire process. Such a good boy.
