Green Winged Macaw suddenly biting

Question
My husband's best buddy and playmate has been our green wing macaw until just the other day, when out the blue, Irving, our macaw, raced at his ankles and attacked his shoes, ankles, and legs repeatedly. He has changed alliances to me and has become quite possessive....over night! He now bites my husband, and is still as pleasant as he has always been with me. I am concerned that my husband will try to avoid or discipline Irving in some way that will distance him from our macaw permanently. I firmly believe that it is our job to correct this, not to give Irving away or blame the bird. Also, I feel that Irving is forced to be social sometimes when he appears to just want to "relax" and not be hugged or played with. Could this be a possibility? Please give us some suggestions. Thanks so much.

Answer
It's not unusual for macaws to be fickle like this. Sometimes it's a fleeting thing, giving a different person more attention than usual, and the reaction (by the humans) is just too much to let go of.  The bird notices the slightest change in feedback and, well, one thing leads to another.
 If you don't make a big deal out of the change in favorite person, even encourage it, you may find the attention returns to your husband soon enough.  
 
You're also quite right about forcing a social situation being a bad idea.  It can cause stress and aggressive acting out, just as it would in a natural environment.  Even lifetime coupled birds will 'scold' each other for being a bother when the other prefers some quiet time.
Birds don't generally hold grudges though, so giving him his space for that moment and not holding it against him should result in the best, healthiest relationship.

 Disciplining is a scary word when it comes to a bird.  About the only 'discipline' they understand is to be ignored briefly or a short time out.  Anything else can cause permanent damage to the relationship, encourage distrust and even biting behavior or fear.

Take a look here for more about how to work with your bird for the best relationship possible, for life.

 www.4AnimalCare.org (click the bird tab)