Baby Pearly biting

[classic57]

There is a Pearly Conure at Petco with whom I have been fascinated, and I think I'm going to bring this little guy home. First, I am reading all I can about them, and I plan to have the cage, toys, food. etc. all set up before I bring him home. He is much better socialized than the other birds in the store because they have handled him more often. His intelligence and curiosity about humans are what attracted me in the first place. I have not had a bird before, but a friend/neighbor has lots of birds and I visit them. They have let me hold the pearly at the store, and he nibbles all over my face and hands, like little tiny kisses. Is this grooming behavior? He also likes it when I pet his back slowly. After about ten minutes he starts biting harder. He understands "no," but is this the best way to handle it? I wonder if he's getting stressed and wants back in the cage (they only handle him for about ten minutes at a time, so maybe that's his comfort limit for now). But if I put him back in when he bites, that's letting him have his way and reinforcing a bad habit. I'm thinking that just holding him on my finger but keeping all other body parts out of his reach, and turning my face away for a minute might be a better approach-- ignoring him, and then praising him if he stops biting or tolerates a slow approach from my other hand to pet him. I know he wants attention. What are others' thoughts on this? I love this little guy and I really want it to be a positive experience for both of us. I am familiar with behavior modification and have used it with dogs and a Siamese cat (very doglike!). Thanks!

 

[Auggie's Dad]

I think you have good instincts for dealing with birds, you seem to have answered your own questions so all I can do is say you are right:

The nibbling could be called grooming, preening, or just exploring. It can be a sign of affection, or sometimes just curiosity, but it is in no way related to biting or aggression.

The harder biting may or may not actually be biting: parrots, particularly conures, can get easily overstimulated and their excitement will lead to them biting to hard - but these bites are not meant as aggression they are just playing that gets out of hand. This certainly does not mean they should be tolerated but a verbal correction ("NO") is not a very good way to handle it. Putting him back in his cage would let him calm down and would avoid problems, but it would leave his threshold at ~10 minutes as you have noted.

Instead do just as you described, except be more proactive. Don't wait for him to start getting overexcited then ignore him - rather learn to recognize warning signs and stop before he gets too excited. I'd also fine tune the 'ignore' idea. While ignoring them can be a good punishment I do not think this is a situation for punishment. Do stop petting and stop paying direct attention to him until he simmers down. This is important as well on another level: you want him to know he can hang out with you without it all being active fun and games - certainly once he is home you will play with him, but many other times he will be out with you while you have to focus on other things.

If you'll still be visiting him in the store a few more times I'd recommend bringing a book or a magazine. Take him out of the cage and sit there and read while he is on your hand/arm/lap. Spend time with him without it being active playing or petting. I suspect in such a situation he'd be good long past 10 minutes.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

To clarify, while reading you can certainly talk to him and pet him some - just make it so it's not all about him for 10 strait minutes which will lead to overstimulation.

 

[classic57]

Thank you so much!

 

[classic57]

:heart:I went back and visited him again last weekend, and he allowed me to pet him in more places than before-- his neck and cheek (ooh yeah, right there!) and he gave me more nibbly kisses and didn't bite at all. He's got my heart-- I ordered a cage, and I'll bring him home as soon as it's set up, with toys and all.:heart:

 

[Auggie's Dad]

That's great. It sounds like you've got yourself a conure.

They really are wonderful birds, enjoy spending time with him, but also don't get frustrated if (when) he challenges you more. Parrots always keep us on our toes and force us to keep learning.

 

[classic57]

He's home! Roaming all over his cage, checking it out, and occasionally screeching for me. He did that a lot at dusk, maybe just the time of day, but he's quiet now, hanging in the upper corner of his cage where he can see most of the house.