BITES? owner to be has questions

[Maxo]

I'm getting a pionus, and I have a couple questions about biting.

Do you pionus owners have problems with real drillers? My mother has a Senegal that loves her but made me bleed five times in two days. I then went to the pet store down the road and played with a caique, and I noticed that this bird plays and climbs with its beak (not painful), and I wonder - when people say their bird bites them, which do they mean? Painless pinching? Or bloody mess?

So for anyone with a pionus, especially a bronze wing, the type I'm getting - What is your experience with biting? I plan on getting it as a baby from a breeder and handling it for a couple hours a day. I know everybody gets bit, but I need to know if I'm liable to get my hand shredded more than I realize. Tangie the Senegal, my mother's bird, is a real nightmare... lol.

 

[Newbsi]

I am very new to birds myself. I have very little experience. I just got my Senegal a couple weeks ago and she just hatched this May, so she is young. The first day I brought her home, she bit my ear and it bled. The next day she bit my pinky and I yelped. Today she was chewing the lampshade and I reached to get her down and she bit my finger and broke the skin.
My point is that you WILL get bitten. Honestly after my ear and pinky bite I was skittish everytime she opened her beak. But I got over it. I just keep in mind she IS going to bite me, it is just a matter of when.
IN THE MEAN TIME... every single one of those bites was preventable and they were MY fault.
The ear bite... she shouldnt have been on my shoulder yet, they need training and must earn that right. Also it was after 7pm and that is also what instigated the pinky bite, it was after 7pm. MY bird must be put to bed before 7pm, she is cranky and tired. 7pm is her bedtime. Up until today, she hasnt bitten me (painfully) it is mostly beaking.
Today she bit me when I grabbed her from the lamp because she didnt see me coming and I reached under the lamp to get her and scared her to death. She bit. I deserved it. lol.
It is a learning curve. Getting to know YOUR bird and your bird getting to know you.
This is one of the biggest reasons I got a smaller parrot... I was afraid of the bites lol. I am over that fear already. I know what to expect. I know I WILL get bit again. I do not fear it and I am having the BEST time loving my new friend!
I wish you all the luck! It is very exciting!

Let me clarify... I am over the fear of my Senegal biting me. I would probably wet my pants if I had to hold a Macaw or large too!

 

[Birdman666]

My birds have been trained to pinch instead of bite, but they do occasionally draw blood when they are upset, especially that large gray bird...

Biting is a relative concept...

First of all, parrots also use their beaks to climb and to hold things. Doesn't mean they're gonna bite. My greenwing macaw often grabs my thumb in her beak and holds onto it when I'm scratching her head... that's code for "you found the spot!"

BUT I've also had two sets of stitches from two different macaws that didn't know their own strength.

A pionus has enough bite pressure to send you to the ER for stitches. (Usually they don't.)

Job number one with a baby is to sit down with it on your lap, and teach it to control its bite pressure. THAT'S YOUR JOB! They usually don't come bite pressure trained.

 

[RavensGryf]

I've had 2 Bronze Winged Pionus before. A female, and now a male. There is generally a marked difference between the 2 sexes, and will be more evident as the bird grows up and starts with hormones.

As far as biting goes, reasons for biting, how inclined they are, etc. They are much different from the Senegal and Poicephalus family (I have both Pois and Pi). BUT, that's not to say Pionus don't bite. They are just different. They are said to be closely related to Amazons, and they do have many similarities. Pois are more high strung and are inclined to 'bite first, ask questions later'. They seem to communicate through bites much more than most species, although Robin will often give warning bites. Raven my Pionus on the other hand, doesn't seem to give warning bites. He just bites hard if he feels it's warranted. Usually, there is some sort of body language going on with a Pionus first though. With the Poicephalus like your mom's Senegal that is not always the case.

With Pionus, the males will generally be harder to handle after maturity. You have to respect the body language of these birds and take it seriously. As Mark (Birdman666) said, a Pionus in full display that means business can warrant a trip to the ER. They are like a mini Amazon. Even as youngsters the males are, generally speaking, more aloof (regardless of early handling). Though they are not mature enough to reproduce until around 4, Pionus usually start showing hormonal behaviors at around a year old. This means territoriality, body language displays (such as the type Amazons are famous for), and can mean more biting, and especially during the first several years as they are getting used to how to control their hormones. Raven's vet (works exclusively with birds) says that in his experience the Bronze Winged can have the nastiest temperament of them all. Lol, not sure if it's true, but Raven can be a pretty crotchety guy. He can also be sweet in his own way though.

Not all Pionus like being touched and cuddled. Although many handfed babies will tolerate it, and more likely a female, just know that it's quite normal if they don't .

What breeder are you planning to get this baby from? What made you decide on this species?

 

[RavensGryf]

This is one of the biggest reasons I got a smaller parrot... I was afraid of the bites lol.

She's just practicing hehhehhehh *evil laugh* Poi bites can be worse than some others their size. Oversized beaks too... my male Red Bellied during hormones, once chewed my finger and wouldn't let go until he got a bloody chunk of flesh . They're not all as bad as Robin was when he was younger.

 

[thekarens]

This is one of the biggest reasons I got a smaller parrot... I was afraid of the bites lol.

She's just practicing hehhehhehh *evil laugh* Poi bites can be worse than some others their size. Oversized beaks too... my male Red Bellied during hormones, once chewed my finger and wouldn't let go until he got a bloody chunk of flesh . They're not all as bad as Robin was when he was younger.

I'd much rather be bitten by my mac than my sennies. They hurt like heck.

 

[Newbsi]

Lol! Well great! Size doesn't matter

 

[Maxo]

Wow thanks for the advice and comment. Im taking a year to read and learn before I commit, but right now I'm getting to know a store owner in East Meadow, NY, on Long Island, store being Bird Brain Parrots. She orders the baby from certified breeders, they arrive to her at 5-7 weeks and she sends them home at around 14 weeks.

Then, I found a store called Little Critter Pet Center in Exeter NH, the town I live in, with a very healthy and diverse collection of parrots and employees who clearly enjoy working with birds and seem to understand them.

If Little Critter in Exeter can get a baby and hand feed it, I visit it every other day and start forming my bond. Hoping that makes a difference. I'd like a female so it's less territorial. Will gender make that huge of a difference?

 

[Maxo]

I admit, talk of the ER has me nervous. How often do ER bites come? Seriously, pionus/amazon owners, how many times a week are you getting nailed?

 

[Maxo]

I've had 2 Bronze Winged Pionus before. A female, and now a male. There is generally a marked difference between the 2 sexes, and will be more evident as the bird grows up and starts with hormones.

As far as biting goes, reasons for biting, how inclined they are, etc. They are much different from the Senegal and Poicephalus family (I have both Pois and Pi). BUT, that's not to say Pionus don't bite. They are just different. They are said to be closely related to Amazons, and they do have many similarities. Pois are more high strung and are inclined to 'bite first, ask questions later'. They seem to communicate through bites much more than most species, although Robin will often give warning bites. Raven my Pionus on the other hand, doesn't seem to give warning bites. He just bites hard if he feels it's warranted. Usually, there is some sort of body language going on with a Pionus first though. With the Poicephalus like your mom's Senegal that is not always the case.

With Pionus, the males will generally be harder to handle after maturity. You have to respect the body language of these birds and take it seriously. As Mark (Birdman666) said, a Pionus in full display that means business can warrant a trip to the ER. They are like a mini Amazon. Even as youngsters the males are, generally speaking, more aloof (regardless of early handling). Though they are not mature enough to reproduce until around 4, Pionus usually start showing hormonal behaviors at around a year old. This means territoriality, body language displays (such as the type Amazons are famous for), and can mean more biting, and especially during the first several years as they are getting used to how to control their hormones. Raven's vet (works exclusively with birds) says that in his experience the Bronze Winged can have the nastiest temperament of them all. Lol, not sure if it's true, but Raven can be a pretty crotchety guy. He can also be sweet in his own way though.

Not all Pionus like being touched and cuddled. Although many handfed babies will tolerate it, and more likely a female, just know that it's quite normal if they don't .

What breeder are you planning to get this baby from? What made you decide on this species?

You said they get used to controlling their hormones. You find that they get more even-tempered over time? They live so long that I can live through some hormonal years.

 

[Anansi]

I'd much rather be bitten by my mac than my sennies...

Hahaha! K1, that's only because you have the ultimate mush mac!

 

[Mekaisto]

Like Birdman said, controlling bite pressure - but also be able to RECOGNISE when a bite is about to happen!

The number of people I see who get bitten and say "Oh, I was only about to scratch her! I was only getting her to step up! I was only putting her in her cage!"

A bite means - I don't want that! I don't want to step up right now! I don't want you to touch me! When you have established a bond with your parrot, you will rarely, if ever, get a bite like this because hopefully by then you will be able to recognise when your parrot will bite, and it will have positive associations with stepping up and going into its cage. That relies on your training though.

Birds usually bite as a last resort, many things happen before aggression-biting...eyes pinning, bird backing away from your hand, bird moving its head away...these are all bird language for "Leave me alone!" or "I'm excited!"

Some birds will accidentally bite you, but the most common thing I see is birds that have been "trained" to bite.
Every time the bird is picked up it bites, because being picked up usually means "back into the cage" and the bird doesn't want that!

A new bird has no reason to be on your shoulder until it can be trusted not to accidentally bite too hard, and even then most birds shouldn't go on a strangers or childs shoulder.

 

[Newbsi]

[ame="http://youtu.be/R1XiT25JIXA"]http://youtu.be/R1XiT25JIXA[/ame]
[ame="http://youtu.be/c5tc4_cnIfs"]http://youtu.be/c5tc4_cnIfs[/ame]

 

[JerseyWendy]

^^^^ That video (first one) gets my blood boiling each time I see it. ^^^^

You don't even have to be a rocket scientist to recognize that the BFA was highly miffed LOOONG before he/she took the plunge for the face. :54:

My husband was nailed by our DYH over the weekend, and I entirely blame my husband, NOT Sam. I'm sure he'll pay attention to body language from this point forward. :21: (Not in the face, the webbing between his fingers has been shredded.)

 

[Newbsi]

I had watched all kinds of videos before getting a bird and when I watched this before, I didnt see it. When I watched it this morning, I thought the same thing! Wow look at those feathers, tail, pacing, noises. It really was obvious. HOWEVER, I would know not to approach the bird.... I wouldnt have guessed he would fly and attack:52:

 

[Maxo]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=AYDqMR-63dM

Wow, I can't believe the violin guy. I'd attack him too.

I found this video, too. You're right, there are probably a lot of people who say their parrot bites a lot when really they just don't realize they're encouraging it. I don't like this woman with the camera.

 

[Newbsi]

at least in the end he tells her to knock it off you aggravating that bird.
Yes, I am not sure how that can be viewed as playing. The bird was not happy.

 

[Birdman666]

I'd much rather be bitten by my mac than my sennies...

Hahaha! K1, that's only because you have the ultimate mush mac!

Macaws generally just pinch, and then laugh at you. "YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE PAYING ATTENTION TO ME."

Sennie-Tude's latch on, and don't let go until sundown... "People have to be taught their place in the flock."

The easiest bird of all to bite pressure train is a macaw.

And the violin guy was ignoring every territorial intrusion warning in the book...

That bird was practically flashing a neon sign that said take one more step and I will attack you!
"Get away from me with that thing!"

And then... he has the nerve to look surprised, and obviously the amazon is just a vicious bird...
It isn't that you just did something incredibly ignorant. It's the bird's fault.)

 

[Newbsi]

Sennie-Tude's latch on, and don't let go until sundown... "People have to be taught their place in the flock."

Yes, Gollum was sure to put me in my place the very FIRST day she was home. Latched on to the ear and I had to pry her off. (I did look at snapping turtle names after the fact to possibly name her after one)

 

[Birdman666]

Rule 1: Shouldn't be on your shoulder until the bird is trained, and you know how he will react up there.

They know when you are not in a position to control them.