Troublesome behaviour

[Christy]

Diablo came to us with some baggage. I don't know much about his history other than he has had 5 homes in about a year and a half. When we picked him up he really took to my husband and then when we got him home he decided he liked me too.
Now he only likes me. My DH has tried feeding him and interacting without touching but this birdie will have none of that. He is also agressive with anyone but me. He plucks at his cage bars as a warning and if they don't move he will start slamming his head on the bars and very agressivly biting through the bars. I have left the cage open when I am here by myself with him. If anyone comes in he flys at them. He has bitten my husband a couple of good times as well as my son and daughter.
I have had lovies and 'tiels and modifying behavour seemed fairly straightforward. But this time it is a bird that seems fairly set in his ways. Does anyone have any suggestions or good books to recommend?

[Jim]

Morning Christy

This is a very good topic/question that we all deal with in varying degrees. It's nice you have taken in this bird and I assume his behavior is the reason he has had so many homes. Not knowing where you are with modifying behavior or your understanding of behavior is a little strange, for me. I mean I don't want to overwhelm you, sound like a know it all, etc. If you could give us a little history about "your" understanding of how parrots learn and why behaviors happen, that would be great.:)

Some thoughts for now. Is there a reason the bird should go to or be nice to your DH? What's his history with your DH compared to you? If you weren't in the picture (at least full time) do you think Diablo might make up to him?

Maybe you know this? Behavior (good and bad) "always" has function. Servers a purpose for the bird. I personally like to use the science of Applied Behavior Analysis to first understand the behavior and then modify it.

A link to some good articles by S.G. Friedman, Ph.D
http://www.thegabrielfoundation.org/HTML/friedman.htm

A link to an excellent site about Applied Behavior Analysis
http://www.behavior.org/behavior/what_is_behavior_analysis.cfm

One more suggestion and I'll shut-up. Target training is Great! It helps with many problem behaviors. Targeting a fairly easy to train, is safe and fun, with many benifits.

A link to Dr C's article about targeting.
http://www.thebirdforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4325

Dr C's targeting video.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=qkI9PvOsjS0

And one more targeting video. Scroll down to Targeting.
http://www.youtube.com/noethgay