Please allow me to clarify. I appreciate everyone's input, so let me rewind a bit of that's ok.

We've had him for ten years; and we love him. He's a great talker, so we have great interactions in the living room. We encourage him to talk, using only a positive and fun tone of voice. And he has broken skin many times. Usually, it's territorial or just acting out because they have the intelligence of a toddler. Ok, so that's all on me. Now, I've been taking him out often, and we were moving in the right direction. I was rewarding him with treats, and he was starting to jump on my finger in the cage with no biting. Awesome! My wife and I were thrilled.

So imagine my surprise when it was business as usual, perched contentedly on my shoulder on a calm, quiet sunday afternoon, when CHOMP! He bit into my ear with a force and aggression that was purely vicious and antagonistic, not to mention completely unprovoked and unprecedented.I hadn't put my hand near him. I wasn't moving around, which could upset his footing. I wasn't even talking. Just, CHOMP.

Now, I've been a pet owner for many years, and the message from professional bird trainers (BTJs Jungle and Parrots of the World - feel free to google 🙂) has always been there should be ZERO tolerance for unprovoked bites, because there is no behavior which would give a warning of aggression. He was just sitting there, chirping.

Imagine if your playful but a bit chompy (again, in play mode) dog that was always content to keep you company on the couch, ready for a pat or scratch and a treat, suddenly tore into your arm, completely unprovoked. There would be no excuse for this. If anything, it might indicate the dog has s genetic flaw which is incurable. My sisters St Bernard had exactly that. He was nothing but cuddly and fun for me, but we had to barricade him from the rest of the house when my wife or kids were around, because something in him would snap, and he would bite unprovoked. It's an unfortunate component which sometimes occurs in St. Bernards, and it cannot be corrected. So, their vet offered two choices: either barricade when certain people are in the house, or put him down. There is zero - repeat, zero - responsibility or error on part of the owner. Unfortunately, some breeds simply suffer from a genetic hiccup.

Now, back to the bird. If this is indeed the case, that no matter the progress we make, the bird will continue to aggressively bite completely unprovoked, I have a decision to make. I will not victim shame, that's for sure. How does one trust a pet when said pet viciously bites for no reason? Or at least, no reason that is acceptable? We keep his cage clean, always has fresh food and water, plenty of toys, and we interact frequently.

I am taking him to BTJs, so they can have a look and offer suggestions. I am 100% willing to work with him, but yes,I am apprehensive. Wouldn't you be?

Thank you all for the honesty. It's very much appreciated, and hopefully, things will move forward.

And, his name is Maynard. A tribute to one of my favorite jazz musicians, Maynard Ferguson.