How to Deal With a Biting Parrot
Almost all first-time parrot owners have dealt with this situation: in the normal, daily interaction with your bird you unexpectedly are on the receiving end of a small bite from the beak of your new feathered friend.
It wasn't that your bird was being vicious, and it wasn't something that you actively provoked.
So you need to ask yourself what causes it, and more importantly, what can you do about it? The first thing that you need to know, according to experts, is that biting behavior in parrots is not necessarily routine.
Parrots in the wild sometimes use their beaks as a weapon against predators like snakes and birds of prey, but never against a member of their own flock.
It is solely a self-defense mechanism when they feel mortally threatened.
So, instead of instinctive behavior, biting by parrots is considered displacement behavior, where the parrot isn't able to follow its' instinctive behavior patterns out of their natural habitat, so improvised behaviors take their place.
In other words, if a parrot would normally fly away from something it sees as a threat, but can't because it is in a cage, it will do whatever it can to get its' point across that something you are doing is scaring it.
Hormonal changes or injuries can compound this behavior.
The two main ways to curb your parrot's biting are patience and understanding.
The first thing to do is to be aware of the circumstances of the biting incident.
What were you doing? Were you acting aggressive? Is your parrot hormonally ready to receive a mate? All of these are situations to be aware of when dealing with a biter.
You need to make sure that it isn't your actions that are causing the problem.
The second thing you can do is be consistent.
Try to train at the same time every day.
Have the cage in a well-lit, well-travelled area that is slightly below eye level.
Speaking with a firm voice and an expressive face helps the bird understand who is in charge of the situation, as they are naturally empathic creatures that read emotion well.
Punishing the bird, never works here, and will only serve to make the parrot more aggressive.
With a little TLC, a biting bird can become your friend again in no time.
All you have to remember is that biting behaviors always have a root cause, and by just paying attention to your bird, a solution can be found.
It wasn't that your bird was being vicious, and it wasn't something that you actively provoked.
So you need to ask yourself what causes it, and more importantly, what can you do about it? The first thing that you need to know, according to experts, is that biting behavior in parrots is not necessarily routine.
Parrots in the wild sometimes use their beaks as a weapon against predators like snakes and birds of prey, but never against a member of their own flock.
It is solely a self-defense mechanism when they feel mortally threatened.
So, instead of instinctive behavior, biting by parrots is considered displacement behavior, where the parrot isn't able to follow its' instinctive behavior patterns out of their natural habitat, so improvised behaviors take their place.
In other words, if a parrot would normally fly away from something it sees as a threat, but can't because it is in a cage, it will do whatever it can to get its' point across that something you are doing is scaring it.
Hormonal changes or injuries can compound this behavior.
The two main ways to curb your parrot's biting are patience and understanding.
The first thing to do is to be aware of the circumstances of the biting incident.
What were you doing? Were you acting aggressive? Is your parrot hormonally ready to receive a mate? All of these are situations to be aware of when dealing with a biter.
You need to make sure that it isn't your actions that are causing the problem.
The second thing you can do is be consistent.
Try to train at the same time every day.
Have the cage in a well-lit, well-travelled area that is slightly below eye level.
Speaking with a firm voice and an expressive face helps the bird understand who is in charge of the situation, as they are naturally empathic creatures that read emotion well.
Punishing the bird, never works here, and will only serve to make the parrot more aggressive.
With a little TLC, a biting bird can become your friend again in no time.
All you have to remember is that biting behaviors always have a root cause, and by just paying attention to your bird, a solution can be found.
