Parrot Blogger - Rebecca O'Connor
February 11 2008
Getting Bit Is Just Part of Caring for Parrots, Right?
by Rebecca K. OConnor
WRONG.
There are many reasons that a parrot might bite. Some may not be as predictable or make as much sense to us as others, but the one thing you can count on is that repetitive biting is rewarding to the parrot somehow. This means that parrots bite because it gets them something they want. It also means that if you can figure out what your parrot gets from the biting behavior, then you can lessen the behavior or quite possibly put a stop to it. If you reach in your parrot’s cage to pick him up and he doesn’t want to come out he may retreat to the back of the cage or turn his back to you. If you persist, even though he’s tried to let you know he doesn’t want to go with you, then he may resort to biting you. If he bites you and you leave him alone, he may have an “ah ha” moment. “Ah ha! If I want her to know that I don’t want to come out, all I have to do is bite her!” He may stop retreating, turning his back on you or any other variety of more acceptable behaviors that mean “no” and go straight for the bite in the future. Why not? It’s the only thing you seem to understand. Shouldn’t you just take the bite and pretend like it doesn’t hurt so your parrot doesn’t get what he wants? Absolutely not! You don’t deserve to get bit. How can you have a great relationship with your bird if you’re afraid one on one time will lead to bloodletting? How can your parrot trust you and enjoy your company if he might get dropped, yelled at or worse? Instead, you both need to learn to have a conversation with each other that doesn’t involve biting. So what do you do? • Learn to read and be respectful of your parrot’s body language. No means no. Respect that. • Find ways to get your parrot to say “yes.” Make what you’re asking worth your parrot’s while. Offer a treat, time out on the play stand, some cuddle time or whatever your parrot really enjoys. • Don’t get bit. Biting begets biting because it almost always rewarding. A behavior that is rewarding will repeat itself. More positive communicating. Less biting. It’s a great way to thing to strive for in all our relationships! Posted by Rebecca K. OConnor on 02/11 at 02:16 PM
Comments:
Hello Rebecca. That makes so much sense. My parrot literally pushes my hand away if he doesn't want to step up, he scoops his beak under my fingers and pushes very gently as if to say "No thanks". Its really cute. However, if he can't have what he wants and it mostly relates to things I have in my hand such as keys, money, phone etc he bites. Even when I try to give him something else, if its not what I am holding he bites. I have been beading and have given him some colorful larger beads to play with. He takes them but as soon as he sees that I have others, he wants them and tries to take them. He always tries to bite when I say no or give him the other beads back. I have resorted to putting him in his cage and saying no. Does this have any results or should I be doing something else?
Thanks
Thanks
Comment posted by on 02/24 at 01:12 AM
Hi Elaine!
Great job teaching your parrot how to tell you when he doesn't want to step up! My grey says, "why are you so grumpy" when he doesn't want to step up. Parrots are happy to use whatever way to communicate that works. Biting you, pushing your hand away, repeating something you say, retreating to the back of the cage, whatever it is, if he gets the response he wanted he'll repeat it when he doesn't want to step up. It's up to us to make sure they are offered an acceptable means to communicate.
Remember with the beads that in the end, you're looking at what is more reinforcing to him. It's possible that whatever is in your hands will look more interesting than what he has, even if it is exactly the same "toy". You can either make sure what you give him is more "fun" than your beads or just avoid the situation all together by not letting him out of the cage when you're doing bead work.
Best!
Rebecca
Great job teaching your parrot how to tell you when he doesn't want to step up! My grey says, "why are you so grumpy" when he doesn't want to step up. Parrots are happy to use whatever way to communicate that works. Biting you, pushing your hand away, repeating something you say, retreating to the back of the cage, whatever it is, if he gets the response he wanted he'll repeat it when he doesn't want to step up. It's up to us to make sure they are offered an acceptable means to communicate.
Remember with the beads that in the end, you're looking at what is more reinforcing to him. It's possible that whatever is in your hands will look more interesting than what he has, even if it is exactly the same "toy". You can either make sure what you give him is more "fun" than your beads or just avoid the situation all together by not letting him out of the cage when you're doing bead work.
Best!
Rebecca
Comment posted by Rebecca K. OConnor on 02/29 at 01:51 PM
although 41
Just found your website., being a member. My 2 year old Red Lored Amazon has just bitten me again, for no reason I can fathom. He was sitting in my shoulder and suddenly took a lunge at my cheek. Normally he is very happy on my shoulder. This is becoming a habit!. When eyes flash orange and the tail goes out I know thats a danger sign, but he is very bonded to me and demands a lot of attention. He will scream if he feels like it hearing me upstairs or something. He has a large cage and toys, but being with me always seems preferable!. I don't know what to do,
Just found your website., being a member. My 2 year old Red Lored Amazon has just bitten me again, for no reason I can fathom. He was sitting in my shoulder and suddenly took a lunge at my cheek. Normally he is very happy on my shoulder. This is becoming a habit!. When eyes flash orange and the tail goes out I know thats a danger sign, but he is very bonded to me and demands a lot of attention. He will scream if he feels like it hearing me upstairs or something. He has a large cage and toys, but being with me always seems preferable!. I don't know what to do,
Comment posted by on 03/21 at 05:16 AM
My first suggestion would be to not allow your bird on your shoulder at least for a while. It is impossible to read the body language of a bird on your shoulder, you simply cannot see the signs of an impending bite.
Get a t stand or some other suitable perch and put it near you wherever you are. Give him treats and toys and attention for staying on it.
He has learned that screaming gets you to come and get him, so I would stop encouraging that behavior. Try to catch him doing something other than screaming and let him out at those times.
Behavior is hard to talk through from a distance so I would also suggest finding a local parrot behaviorist to help you develop and follow through with a plan.
Best!
Rebecca
Get a t stand or some other suitable perch and put it near you wherever you are. Give him treats and toys and attention for staying on it.
He has learned that screaming gets you to come and get him, so I would stop encouraging that behavior. Try to catch him doing something other than screaming and let him out at those times.
Behavior is hard to talk through from a distance so I would also suggest finding a local parrot behaviorist to help you develop and follow through with a plan.
Best!
Rebecca
Comment posted by Rebecca K. OConnor on 03/21 at 09:24 AM
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