Caique using beak

[slowstitcher]

Hi everyone, last week we brought home a gorgeous little caique we are calling Lima. She is a little sweetheart, and loves both my husband and me (especially my long hair). Prior to her we had two rescue birds - one is not hand tamed and the other prefers me. Lima is so different from them in that she is happy to go to both my husband and me - we are enjoying her antics and friendliness so much!! My question is this: at what point do we deter her from using her beak? She uses it gently at this point, but often! She is often so eager to step up that she grabs our hand with her beak to pull herself up before the hand is close enough for her to simply use her feet. Lima is almost two years old, and had just one home prior to ours (as well as her breeder). I've read that caiques can get nippy, but I don't want to punish her for doing nothing wrong.

I tried to attach a photo and hope it will show up with the posting!

 

[MeganMango]

She uses it gently at this point, but often! She is often so eager to step up that she grabs our hand with her beak to pull herself up before the hand is close enough for her to simply use her feet. Lima is almost two years old, and had just one home prior to ours (as well as her breeder). I've read that caiques can get nippy, but I don't want to punish her for doing nothing wrong.

Mango uses his beak a lot too, he can be nippy if he gets snotty, but he isnt big on biting. He also will use his beak to get up onto our hands, but he has always been really gentle. He uses his beak to give kisses, and he nibbles everything. I wouldnt personally do anything unless she starts biting you and it hurts. Even then, punishment is not really the best option. There are lots of threads on biting here, and someone has even posted a great video.

 

[slowstitcher]

Thanks Mandy. We love her and I know that using the beak is normal for her.

 

[Irishj9]

It sounds like Lima already knows how to use her beak around humans. So I wouldnt worry.

Since Caiques are better climbers than fliers, they can get very Beaky. However they quickly learn what pressure to use.

Our Fingers loves to wrestle hands HARD with his beak, not breaking the skin. In the middle of this game yesterday he jumped off my shoulder and hung off my ear with his beak.

I waited for the pain.......... Nothing!!.

He hung there using only enough beak pressure to hold his weight. They learn fast. Looking forward to more Lima stories.....

JP

 

[slowstitcher]

Thanks JP - she's a little peanut. Yesterday while we were making supper she hopped into a cupboard and sat there on the edge of a pot growling into the darkness like a tiny bear - too cute! Finger is a GREAT name!!!

 

[Remy]

It sounds like normal caique behavior. As long as she isn't actually biting, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[MonicaMc]

Caiques are, by nature, very beaky birds, as mentioned. If you haven't already, you may want to watch caiques wrestling with other caiques and humans. May give you an idea of just how much they use their beaks for play!

caique wrestling - YouTube

 

[Irishj9]

That's a great Vid, Monica.

I must make a quick one with Fingers and Igor pretending to chomp my fingers

( see how he got his name? lol)