can any one help?

[jessikaNgb]

hi i am new but sort of got the hang of this.
my names jeesika i have a alexandrine, name is GB
i have had GB for about 3-4 months now. GB is startin to bite i am sad to say that it hurts and is statrin to make me not want to tuch him. i dont no how to get GB out of this. GB was brought from a bird shop. i have put photos of GB up in my gallery area thing. i dont no what to do as im startin to become affraide of GB as he's/ she's made me blood a couple of times.

 

[Crazy4Birds]

Number one thing is to never give up on your bird. Also, try not to show GB that you are afraid. Birds can sense fear and it makes them uneasy. When you go to pet him make sure it is nice and slow and try not to approach him from above because it is like a predator to him. I know it is hard but when he bites try not to pull your hand away too fast and don't yell "ouch!" because that is exactly the reaction he wants from you. Instead just say to him in a stern voice "No bite." The goal is for him to eventually learn that biting has no effect on you and therefore he will not bite you anymore. Always give him positive reinforcement when he is not biting you by praising him and giving treats.

 

[MikeyTN]

Is that your blood stain on his wings?? Was he friendly at one point? Did anything change in the household? Did he start to bite recently?

Lots of things that can cause a bird to attack. Jealousy is a big one. I think my Macaw is ticked at me tonight for hugging the dogs and playing with all the birds infront of him. We play tickle feet all the time and tonight he was going after my fingers and I knew what he was doing. So he stays in the cage cause he does not hesitate to attack when he's in one of those moods. Sometimes you have to tell them no in a stern voice. I usually hold on to my macaw beak and tell him no, if he keeps going at it, he gets put up. He only throws a hissy fit every so often, most of the time he would just stay with me. IF the dogs are bothering him or someone else is bothering him, he bites me first to let me know he's not happy. Only when he's in a weird mood....Most of the time he goes to the dogs on his own and wants to feed them or hump them...lol

 

[JawzX]

your alex is still quite young, you can tell by the dark eyes, they get white at the bird ages. Aleandrines are not typically big biters, but as they grow up they are like teenagers and will begin to test their boundaries. This means being generall naughty and often involves some biting. Crazy4birds has given good advice. Try not to react suddenly when he/she bites, tell him/her "no bite" in a stern voice and ignore him/her for a few minutes. Also, praise and treats whenever he/she is being good will help reinforce proper behavior. If it comes to it, you may have to put him/her in the cage, close the door, and ignore him/her for a good 15 minutes or so after a bite. He/she will learn that biting gets you ignored, and one thing all birds -and especially "teenage" birds- want is attention. Reacting strongly to a bite will turn it into a game and make the bird more likely to repeat the action for the fun of seeing you jump and yell. Your bird, being an Alexandrine, is very likely to grow out of this habbit, especially if you reinforce correct behavior in the right way.

My female Alexandrine is 8 years old, going on 9, and hardly ever bites, except when she is being handled for nail clipping (she really hates that!) or is very angry. Even then she does not draw blood, despite the fact that Alexandrines have VERY strong beaks. She's a great bird and loves to beak-wrestle! She plays hard, but never bites hard, don't give up! Alexandrines are great birds with tons of personality

Mikey: that is natural Alexandrine coloring, they all have a blood-red patch on the wing "shoulders", and adult males (24-36mos+) also have a red and black neck ring. Females never develop a ring.

 

[suebee]

nut went through a stage of biting me and everyone! enough to draw blood! i searched the net and read this blog about body language

Parrot Musings: Parrot body language

i found it really useful, basically i know when she is not in the mood, and i don't ask her to step up etc

but with saying that she will still bite now, but not with intent to hurt, just to let me know she's not happy or if i am having a nap after an early shift, its time to get up mostly i think she has settled with us

take it slow, and i found making nut come to me for treats etc helped alot to, especially with the step up! or come on, commands and if she does bite hard now, i yelp (can't be helped cos it hurts) turn my back to her, and walk away, normally to sofa etc, she will then come to me, normally within the minute, i normally get bit around her cage when i want her to come down or on occassions putting something in it while she's in it, but not hard just warning nips

 

[MikeyTN]

Jawzx, that good to know! Never owned one before. Been more interested in other species and this wasn't one of my choice. But great to know that wasn't her blood there...

 

[jessikaNgb]

thanks for the help every one and not my blood lol

 

[mtdoramike]

All my previous birds came to me through pet shops and all drew first blood, usually at the pet shop before I purchased them. It takes time and understanding. If the bird doesn't look friendly and like they want to play then stay away until they show signs that they want to play with you.

Also the BIG thing here is, all birds don't take to everyone. Birds have their own personalities and decide who they want to bond with. Some will bond with anyone who shows them the most attention, while others will choose who they want to bond with and won't have anything to do with anyone else no matter how much time that person spends with them. I hope this isn't the case for you.

 

[MikeyTN]

All my previous birds came to me through pet shops and all drew first blood, usually at the pet shop before I purchased them. It takes time and understanding. If the bird doesn't look friendly and like they want to play then stay away until they show signs that they want to play with you.

Also the BIG thing here is, all birds don't take to everyone. Birds have their own personalities and decide who they want to bond with. Some will bond with anyone who shows them the most attention, while others will choose who they want to bond with and won't have anything to do with anyone else no matter how much time that person spends with them. I hope this isn't the case for you.

Ain't that the truth!!! Birds choose you not you choose the bird!

 

[AME]

I HAD TO CATCH my alex in the house she was living in...the best way is to grit your teeth and be totally calm and keep a firm but gentle hold when you catch them,and when the bite comes,and your bleeding,just act as if NOTHING is of consequence,and really pretend that you didnt feel athing,and if you can do that once or twice,i will guarantee that you will earn their trust and bond so much quicker,and handling will be EASY.OF COURSE i wouldnt advise kids to do it,but,it worked for me(im just a big kid anyway).the key is just to be calm and approach from bellow,but never telegraph your fear,or nervousness and move slowly,even around your c
age. dont give up,because theyre such an affectionate breed,once they know you,it really is worth getting those early bites over and done with,even tho its a natural reaction to pull away and 'ouch!!' hope this helps,ame