Please Help! My bird is attacking me! Urgent!

I really need help. I have had a black headed caique named Aquila for 5 1/2 years now. I got him when he was 1 1/2, and even though he exibited a little bit of biting when he was first bought, we bonded and have been inseperable ever since. 2 weeks ago, I went to college at ASU and while I was gone, the AC at my mother's house broke. She called and the AC people said that it would take at least a week to get another one. My mom needed to get out of the house with the animals and my sister, but the only place she could go was my dad's house down the street, and he was in London at the time (don't worry, we told him). Anyway, so my mom, my sister, our dog, and Aquila went down to live at my dad's house for a week on their own. Aquila had only a temorary pearch to sleep and live on, and was very sweet but very insecure and clung to my mother obsessively.

I was supposed to come home at the end of my first week. The night before I came home, a huge storm hit the Phoenix, Tempe area and knocked the power out of my dad's house for almost 2 hours, and my terrified bird slept on my mom that night.

The next afternoon, I arrived home. My bird was surprised, but very glad to see me. He cuddled with me, and I talked to him, fed him, played with him, and started to play God of War with him on my shoulder. After a few hours, my dad arrived back home from London. My bird seemed fine, but I could tell that he was getting a bit overwhelmed. He was pacing up and down my shoulder and nibbling at me. After dinner, I sat down with him again, and out of nowhere he attacked me. I yelled at him without shouting and he became even angrier and chased after me. I swear to God that he wanted to kill me (he acts that way towards men). The next morning, he flew at my face twice. I understood, however, that he was under a lot of pressure and resigned myself to him hating me for a week.

That Tuesday, I went back to ASU. Mom's AC was fixed and she said that aquila had never been happier, that he was the happiest bird in the world. I couldn't wait to get home; after all, his living environment had returned to normal. Well, I arrived home tonight, and the moment I walked through the door, Aquila was trying to attack me.

Please help. I love my bird. He's my baby, and he's been my responsibility ever since I was 15. I know that caiques are prone to these kind of mood swings, but I can't spend every day with him; I'm at college! What can I do. I'm desperate. Please, I just want my baby back.

Thank you.

My dear, I don't mean to be cruel but the fact is that your bird is no longer yours and that is as it should be as he will not live with you.

Psittacines (parrots and parrot-like birds) are monogamous species that require attention all the time from the same person or persons (once or twice a week simply does not work for them). They also need their little every day routines, their familiar place and the safety of their flock, things that you will not be able to provide for him now that you are in college.

People always get mad at me when I tell them that parrots are not for young people. But they are not. Young people have their entire life to decide upon and that involves many changes of many kinds: housing, friends, routines, relationships, etc. Parrots don't like changes. They simply cannot adjust to them. They might cope for a while but, eventually, something's gotta give because they don't function well under stress.

Your life is going to be very full and busy with your studies, new friends, etc. and you will not be able to provide him with proper care. Love him enough to allow him to stay bonded to your mother, don't interfere. I realize that this will be very hard for you to do and that you are disappointed and, most likely, also hurt, but his happiness should come first. After all, none of this was his choice...