Aggressive Blue and Gold Mccaw

Question
I was given my bird and told he is approx 12-13 yrs. old. In the beginning he was very affectionate and loved me..now he has decided he doesn't like me at the least and adores my 7 yr old daughter. He has become extremely aggressive with me and will get off his cage and chase me. His wings are usually extended out and he runs after me.  I have received numerous bites from him and tried not to react too much but he still seems to dislike me. Actually absolutely no one can touch him except for my daughter. Is there anything I can do to possibly train him to start liking other people?..and make him stop biting??

Answer
The problem with large birds is they are very dominant. You really should not let your daughter handle him as children can not read fine body language that adults would notice. I can not tell you how many birds are surrendered to my rescue because they have broken bones of children. That bird can 100% break her arm. If he gets aggressive with you because you are coming near, he WILL bite her to display aggression. The first few weeks is an adjustment period. They act completely different because they are unfamiliar and insecure in the new environment. Once they settle in about 2-3 weeks the normal behaviors start to come out. You need to learn how to towel and restrain him. Make sure those wings are clipped as that knocks them down a few notches in dominance usually.

If he starts to become aggressive or show aggressive displays like the wings out, towel him and put him back in the cage. Even stand on a chair with your arms out swaying from side to side, you are challenging his dominance and if he backs down you may see a different behavior. If he comes off the cage, towel him an put him back in the cage. Do not let him get on top of the cage where he is taller than you. I would either make a PVC playstand or buy a T-Stand and place him on that when you let him get out of the cage, one that is not taller than you probably at chest level. This bird does not have manners and really requires someone who is experienced with behavioral issues.

Blue and Golds are not supper cuddly macaws and if he is a big male, (which is what he sounds like) he may never be cuddly. Blue and Golds are by hyper, they are always EVERYWHERE; on the playstand off the playstand, on the cage, in the cage, on the stand, in the cage, on the cage, on the stand. they are happy to play with toys and run all over the place but because they are so hyper they bite when they are happy, excited, afraid, aggressive, hungry, antsy.

Please look at my bird body language page and perhaps other pages on my site:
http://thebirdnerdsrescue.com/BodyLanguage.aspx

If you are interested in further advice you are welcome to email me directly from my contact page on my website.