biting question

[Lis]

I know this was my own fault the first time. My greenwing took a good bite of my finger the other morning. I didn't think about it before, but I had my nails done french and he hasn't seen that before. I realized it startled him, he did let go after my response and was fine afterwards. Now 2x since then he has started mouthing at my hand or arm. I can't tell if he's just playing or what? It doesn't seem to be in response to anything, sometimes out of the blue? So how do I prevent this from becoming a bad game. He's temperament is never aggressive, he's always a happy, sweet boy.
Thanks Melissa

 

[Mozzy]

I had a very mouthy Ruby macaw a few years back. I got in the habit of telling him "ouch" every time he even ATTEMPTED to mouth/nip/bite. Eventually he stopped because it just wasn't tolerated. The few times he did nip in the beginning, I immediately put him on the floor. He didn't like being on the floor, so it was a simple but effective consequence.

Hopefully you'll get some other great suggestions as well.
Good luck!

 

[MikeyTN]

Where is he at when he's mouthing at your hand or arm???

 

[kendrafitz]

I have a GW, Rosie, who is 1 1/2. So she's a bit younger, but she is extremely mouthy. Meaning she has part of me, usually my fingers in her mouth almost 1/2 the time we cuddle. It doesn't bother me, since I was told that is how macaws, especially young ones, explore. (Except for when she has a bratty moment and overdoes it. I just wrote a post recently about what she did to my ring.). She varies between lightly chewing or just holding my fingers in her beak. It almost seems like a security thing for her. I actually will grab her beak to kiss her or have her clasp on to my fingers with her beak sometimes to lift her when we play. Since she is so beaky it is just normal for us, and she is happy, so I'm happy.

Maybe Pepper is just starting to bond with you? Not sure, but if he isn't aggressive about it, that could be the case, which is awesome! The big beak can be intimidating to some people (obviously not you!) but my experience is GWs are so gentle with them. Rosie's warm beak coming in for cuddles is one of the best things ever!

 

[Lis]

MikeyTN, it has happened in the same location in my house while he's on his perch. First time I was going to rub his head which he loves. All of a sudden he seemed startled by my finger nail tips being white and bit my finger. Later on he acted like he just wanted to mouth my fingers while I was rubbing him, but I didn't let him. Then today he was in his perch and I put my arm in front of him to step it and he pinched the back of my forearm. When I said No, he just looked confused. He has used his beak to rub up and snuggle under my neck or arm. He's raises his wings all the time to be rubbed there too. Oh and I have started having Pepper and Duke around each other since talking to his previous vet and received his paperwork blood work info. Duke was around, but those two you would seriously not know that they haven't known each other all their lives. They seem to like each other fine.

I will try putting him in the floor. I don't think he will like that if I'm not on the floor with him.

 

[MikeyTN]

Next time carry a stick with you! If he starts to act crazy and you want him on your arm you put the stick on one side of him while you place your arm on the other side. He will step up quickly trust me. Use it as many times as you need. Eventually he will catch on and you won't be needing the stick anymore. I used it on Lola and Willie, it works!

 

[Lis]

MikeyTN, I will try it, but what if he wasn't acting crazy. He wasn't even acting silly. I removed my white french tips. Lol. I know today wasn't because of something new startling him. I just keep thinking back and trying to figure out if I could have distracted him before hand. I'm usually really good with human behavior intervention plans as I have 2 sons with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Lol. Thanks for the helpful suggestions. I hope it doesn't happen anymore, but I am trying to figure out the trigger that I might be missing and can change or distract him from in the future too.

 

[MonicaMc]

Not sure if these links may be of any help.... but it's about respecting the bird and learning to avoid bites/nips rather than punishing a bird for undesired behavior. The only bite/nip that can't be rewarded is the one that never occurs. If it doesn't occur, you can't punish the bird for it, either.

Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Help! My Parrot Wont Step Up!

Good Bird Inc Parrot Training Talk: Respecting the Bite


To me, it just sounds like Pepper may need some step up training with you and ways to keep his beak busy. Give him foot toys and foraging toys to keep his beak busy with something other than your flesh.