Anger Nip

[Boki]

Lately my rosefront conure has developed a new habit that makes me sort of chuckle. She is clipped and sometimes when I do step up with her, she hops on my finger and then gives a light nip on the finger. I notice she does this when she is angry with me. As I said, it makes me chuckle because it is a symbolic nip. She nips me harder when we are playing around on my hand.

Then I was thinking that maybe I should discourage any sort of biting associated with anger. I don't even know if that is possible. I do know in the 15 months I have had her she has only bitten people hard only 3 times. Each time she got alone time on the floor in the bathroom and this time out seems to work.

One time she bit me when I was trying to get her to let me pet her. This was at the beginning of our relationship for lack of a better word. But the other 2 times were with female guests. One had red fingernail polish and the other one had a fancy earring. But she is generally good at not biting hard on anyone.

Should I laugh off the anger nips?

In sort of a side question, I don't always have a treat in my hand for her stepping up. Do others constantly feed treats to build the bond?

 

[lollipoppy]

I wouldn’t constantly feed treats as she might get nippy looking for her treat every time in the future. Make it a surprise when it happens, associated with stepping up.

Then, as far as the nipping goes, in the pet store I used to work at the laughing it off often caused more biting in the long run.

Parrots are often said to have a prelude, a light warning, then the real deal. Usually they’ll try to use the least amount of aggression possible to get the point across - unless they know that has never worked in the past, then you sorta train them to jump straight to aggression to get the point across.

So, I’d measure - is the bite mildly aggressive, or is it the testing/“hello” type tasting they do on the finger?

If it’s mildly aggressive, either try changing up when/how you pick her up so she’s more receptive and ready, or plop her down on a neutral spot like the floor then pick her up when she’s calm and really celebrate when she does not bite. She’ll get the memo quick.

Lastly, never laugh or noticeably react to parrot bites. They love the rise and will do it more & worse over time. To them, any attention is good attention and no attention is bad attention.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Laurasea]

My GCC Ta-dah, and my Quaker Penny do this. When angry at slights they think.

I take is as a form of communication, I know they feel frustrated in trying to communicate.
I don't like it. But as it is line with pressure training.. I put up with it. But I'm not saying that is the right thing to do.....just that that is what I do.
Now my GCC also wants to do this to make me pet her. I give her a stern no. Then she mumbled something ( bird bad words I'm sure!)! Stomps around . Then I tell her be good. When she is I pet her. But she would like to beak boss me a lot more ..

 

[Boki]

Thank both of you for your replies. I think the answer is somewhere in between. I do consider it a super, super mild act of aggression not a taste nip. I really think she is trying to communicate. The problem of course is what is she is trying to say?

I also agree that nonstop treats are bad. But maybe I should give her just a little more. I generally give her a treat to start the day to leave her sleeping cage and then treats when she returns. Maybe a few surprises in the day will keep her interested in keeping me happy.

I don't laugh out loud as I expect that reaction of any type but I can't help smile at this type of subtle communication. She is a very good bird and rarely upsets me or my guests. We all love her to death.

I guess the best thing is to play this cautious and observe other signals. This anger nip is not that common. It is a new behavior.

 

[lollipoppy]

Thank both of you for your replies. I think the answer is somewhere in between. I do consider it a super, super mild act of aggression not a taste nip. I really think she is trying to communicate. The problem of course is what is she is trying to say?

I also agree that nonstop treats are bad. But maybe I should give her just a little more. I generally give her a treat to start the day to leave her sleeping cage and then treats when she returns. Maybe a few surprises in the day will keep her interested in keeping me happy.

I don't laugh out loud as I expect that reaction of any type but I can't help smile at this type of subtle communication. She is a very good bird and rarely upsets me or my guests. We all love her to death.

I guess the best thing is to play this cautious and observe other signals. This anger nip is not that common. It is a new behavior.

Sounds like a totally manageable thing, then. That’s awesome that she is so sweet!

Check this thread out for some ideas on what she might be trying to communicate:

http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk