Stop Parrot Bites - Family - Pets

The first year I had my Sun Conure Tiko he was extremely sweet and fairly docile. Now that he is sexually mature he has become a bit more difficult like a teenage in heat some days!

At first it bothered me that he would occasionally nip at me. I felt I should have "control" of my bird. Over time I realized my expectations were unresonalble. Parrots are wild animals. It's more surprising that they don't bite more than that they do.

The first step to dealing with a biting problem in your parrot I to recognize it isn't personal. Your parrot feels he has a perfectly justifiable reason for biting. He can't understand why you're upset. Generally, he's not trying to hurt you and if he is, it's because of fear. Given a chance most birds will fly away, not fight. Your pet probably doesn't have that option if he is clipped.

Parrots are extremely intelligent, but they are also undomesticated, another words wild. Unlike your dog, your parrot will probably never do anything for you just to please you, although in my experience you can get him to do a great deal for a grape!

Try to understand the situation. Possible reasons your parrot might bite include:

He doesn't want to go back to his cage.He does want to go back to his cage.He's been startled.He's sick.He's jealous of the attention you're giving someone else.He's decided you're his mate and he needs to protect you.He's molting and cranky.He's hormonal because it's mating seasonHe tried it and got a big reaction from you. Parrots love big reaction!He's been abused and doesn't trust you.

Try to be preemptive. Don't give your parrot a chance to bite you. Use a perch with the step up command, not your arm. There are perches with shield on one end to prevent the bird from walking up it to take a nip. Don't let your parrot on your shoulder unless you are absolutely sure he won't bite your ear off!! Build trust with your parrot by spending time talking to him, having him in the same room you're in, giving him treats as you walk by his cage(on a skewer).

It is very important if you're holding your parrot and he nips you that you react as little as possible. The bigger your reaction the more likely your parrot will repeat the behavior.

Another technique to use when your parrot is on your hand is called the "earthquake ". Wobble the hand the bird is on just enough to upset his balance and distract him.

Say no firmly and put your bird back on his stand. After 5-10 minutes, pick you bird up and practice the 'step up ' command several times. Then forgive and forget. Remember, he's just a little bird in an environment nature didn't create him for.Blow in your parrots' face. This will distract him. Then offer a substitute object to bite.

Never hit your parrot, squirt him in the face with water, or tap his beak. This will destroy his trust in you and make the situation worse.

All of these tips may help with a parrot biting problem. One of the best tips I follow with Tiko is to not insist he do what I want unless it is really necessary and if it is, I use a stick to move him, not my finger. If biting persists as a problem, you will need to seek the help of a specialist in parrot behavior.

Most parrots can be rehabilitated. A big part of this rehabiltation often involves retraining the owner!

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