Everyone knows that parrots bond to their owner or someone in the household. Some parrots may bond to more than one person, but for the most part, they choose one owner and bond with them specifically. This is a completely normal thing.  However, there are some cases when the parrot can become so completely bonded to one owner that they actually exhibit aggressive tendencies toward other people in the house. This type of behavior is called over bonding.

When over bonding happens, then there are many behavioral problems that may come along with it. You will need to make use of methods to avoid over bonding and if it occurs, you will need methods for correcting the problem. Correcting over bonding does not come along with just one course of action. You may need to try a few different methods until you find a corrective method that will work without causing your bird to become even more aggressive. Here are a few things that you can try if you suspect that your parrot is over bonding.

Correcting Your Parrot from Over Bonding:

• Never react positively to your parrot’s aggressive behavior even if it seems cute. No matter what, if the bird attacks anyone, it should immediately be returned to its cage for some time to calm down. It will soon recognize that the aggressive behavior causes its return to the cage.

• Do not let the bonded human be the only one to give the parrot treats. Instead, if there is someone that is particularly out of favor with the bird, allow that person to give treats to the parrot. In fact, this should be a regular thing that everyone in the household should offer treats and provide food for the bird.

• Under no circumstances should anyone but the bonded person do anything that the parrot may deem unpleasant. This would include bathing and grooming or even simply putting the bird back in its cage. If you are the bonded person, then you should always be the one to take care of these tasks so that the parrot does not associate further negative things with the un-bonded humans.

• Try having other people get the bird out of its cage. Parrots love to be out of their cage, and they will have to make concessions to get out of their cage. Then, you should have someone not bonded to the bird offer their hand. They should do so in a slow and unaggressive manner so that the bird will not feel threatened. Eventually, the bird will recognize that it will get the chance to be out of its cage only if it steps up on someone else’s hand.

It is a fact that parrots usually bond to one human. It should not be a fact that the bird is so over bonded to one human that it acts aggressive towards others. If your parrot has been exhibiting over bonding behavior, you can take steps to deal with the situation. Keep in mind that it will take time and patience, but the problem can be corrected.