Update on Meyers Parrot Aggression
Alright, I took Bartleby to the vet today. You guys had me so paranoid that he could be seriously ill, I couldn't get him there fast enough, so good job! The vet said he seems perfectly healthy: lungs and sinuses sounded clear, and normal weight. I expressed my concerns about exposure to my friend's flock, as well as the sudden aggression. He just told me that it's hormone related, since he's beginning to sexually mature, even though he doesn't usually start to regurgitate, dance, or rub until springtime (March to May). The man has had an amazon parrot for 30+ years, so he definitely knows a thing or two about hormonal birds, haha.
So now: I'm supposed to limit out-of-cage time to next to none for two weeks, while still interacting with him through the cage bars. He said that the change in the routine should reset the behavior. Also to try to get more people to interact with him, which will be hard since everyone that's around has nicknamed him "winged terror."
Has anyone used this 2-weeks-caged method to change behavior patterns? I'm going to do the best I can, since I'll have to let him out at least every couple of days to clean the cage and refill his foraging toys. I'm also reading entries on the Rational Parrot blog, which is really helping me put Bartleby's behavior in perspective.
Thank you guys for all your wonderful suggestions!