Alright guys, I need some helpful tips here. Willie has now decided that I am the enemy and I have no idea why. Nothing new has changed in the house, but all of a sudden I'm evil. He will attack the bars when I come over to his cage. Now this is just for me. Everyone else can stick their hands in there and he'll step up as always. Me, he pins his eyes and yells, "BRAT!" which was a word reserved for the kids never Mommie! When he's out and he'll fly over to me he'll hop on my shoulder and then try and bite my lips. It's just craziness! He has NEVER done any of this before. This has been going on for just a few days and he'll be a year in April. Is this normal? What should I do to get him to like me again? So far I've just been trying to act normal. I'm trying not to react whatsoever to his little outbursts, just ignoring them. But I really don't understand why he's acting like this. Especially to me!! I'm the Mom! I take care of him and make sure he has lots of toys, and playtime, and yummy food and a clean water, and lot of love and he calls me a brat! Is he considered a "teen" now? That could explain a lot to me... I have a human one of those... and he's a bit of a turd right now. So anyway, any ideas or helpful advice would be GREATLY appreciated right about now. Thanks!

Sounds like he's hitting the REAL bluffing stage as most would like to put it. You just have to be patient with him right now...lay down the rules be firm and gentle. Hormones are hitting...making him feel different...moody. I'm sure Clara can give advice on how to get through it...since my Prinny is the sweetest thing and never did bluff really

Dani

Let me see....get strawberries for the bird, make a strawberry margarita for yourself, give one (berry) to the bird; repeat until everyone is calm! It does sound like adolescence. My fids are all getting restless as the days get longer. Even Princess Magellan (who really is a saint most of the time) has been a bit testy.

Hey, I'm liking the sounds of the strawberry method!

So when starts this should I just put him up? Or away from me? Or is that what he wants? God knows I don't want to give in to his crabbiness.

Testy is the word too. But only to me. He's in love with everyone else so I'm really beginning to take this personally. He talks to and asks everyone for kisses but to me he'll just silently stare at me and then try to bite my face. Thanks for the advice so far ladies. I'll just hang in there and have a drink or two. Or fifteen depending on his mood.

Sorry - have no real advice. Just wanted to say - hang in there!

MAN DO I HATE HORMONES!
I don't know how much more help I can be with the good advice that has been given, but here goes.....

When my little "Angels" decide it is time to test my patience which is at Willis' age and then as they mature around December through January, sometimes November. Definitely don't give in to him - they are not a bird that will let you give in and forgive you - they take full advantage - most of us already know this though.
Does he step up at all in the cage? If not - when you put him in his cage for any reason - immediately make him step back up. Do it quickly so he does not have time to think about and also make sure you use whatever key phrase for stepping up. When he steps up - put him back down and then repeat the step up immediately. You have to do it quickly or else you might get bit and you don't want them to have a chance to act like a little s**t either.

When he is out and he flies to you - I would immediately remove him and put him on his cage or play stand. of course you can still love him and stuff but make sure you have hold of that head!

Difficulty going in without getting bit, I use a stick for him to step up on or my arm - not my hand. I make sure I have long sleeves or something to help keep him from biting my arm if he wants to. Of course the stick just makes him run, but by that time I can normally pick him up without a problem.

he is now at the age where he may become very cage protective. A lot of Ringies are like that and you just have to learn that you can't put fingers through the bars of the cage or you will get bit, but at the same time he should let you get him from inside if you put your hand in the cage for step up.

It will take time for him to get out of his pissiness, but he will get better - until next year.
Sometimes I wonder what I was thinking when I got as many ringnecks as I did especially males and females. Hormones are bad enough with one birds without the joy of male and female hormones.

Just keep being consistent and patient - and be as stubborn as he is and you should get through this - hopefully with little blood shed.

Thanks for the tips Clara. I appreciate it! But is it normal for them to pick out one person to be mean to? Shouldn't he be nasty to everyone? Why just me?

Yes, it is perfectly normal, and I promise you, it will change. Your not reacting in a negative way, and "carrying on" as normal is the best you can do at this point. This will pass.

I hate my own hormones, too.....and margaritas help with them as well!

I knew I liked you "CatsChair"! A woman after my own heart!!

The other day I myself was in a mood, (Hard to believe since my personality is normaly all sunshine and daisys, yeah right.) PMS is in full effect here, and I threw a minor hissy and my husband said, "Well, SOMEONE needs a mudslide and a time-out." LOL Now I don't want to give the impression that I'm an alcoholic here, but a drink does take the edge off of the hormones that's for sure.