galah beaking hard

[Helenor]

I've had my 5 month galah, Devin (DNA sex test pending) for a month. She is a pretty good bird so far. The only thing is that she beaks pretty hard and it hurts. So far, I've been trying to ignore it and not react, as parrot books have been advising. Is this hard beaking an adolescent behavior that she'll grow out of if I keep not reacting?

 

[Jayyj]

Galahs seem to be prone to beaking - by which I mean of 'hey, I like the look of that, can I put it in my mouth?' and a different thing to agressive or defensive biting. The way to deal with it is to teach the bird how much bite pressure is acceptable so that the bird isn't hurting you when he/she gets hold of a finger. I managed it by either getting my thumb on the outside of her beak so that I was in control, or if I couldn't do that I'd twist the finger so she had to loosen her grip. In both cases I'd say 'gentle' in a firm voice - now if she squeezes a bit too hard I just say 'gentle' and she eases up again. I kind of muddled through this so there may be better ways to teach it, but it worked ok.

 

[RavensGryf]

I have different species, but the principle is the same. I do something similar to jayyj. If I can, I'll use my thumb and index finger to put on both sides of the beak to control the pressure, or hold an index finger right above the beak out of reach and I'll say "gentle" in a calm but firm voice. My 2 Poicephalus are this way. Robin I don't really 'train' I just know him so well I know how to handle him because I've had him for 20 years. Griffin on the other hand I'm more strict with since he is only 8 months old and needs to be taught what I expect from him. Some species are just naturally more beaky than others too.

I don't agree with completely ignoring a bite. Even in the wild, another parrot will certainly tell another one to knock it off if it doesn't like something. They say to ignore because many birds (especially in the larger species) will keep doing the bad behavior because they want to see you give the 'drama reward' a big reaction from you that they may find entertaining. You do however need to let it be known what is acceptable vs unacceptable, as they are not mind readers. They go by external cues .

 

[Helenor]

Ah ok, I had been wondering about that since Devin doesn't seem to be acting aggressively and was probably only beaking out of curiosity. Makes sense. Thanks!

 

[RavensGryf]

Sometimes even curiosity nips are too hard. IMHO, if they aren't taught boundaries with this type of beaking, in some birds it can progress into the bird thinking it's okay to do some harder nipping or biting when it doesn't like something YOU are doing. We need to set the boundaries for the birds, not the other way around

 

[Anansi]

I agree completely. Like Julie, I've never been a fan of the "suffer in silence method". Ofttimes, your fid truly won't know how much pressure is too much pressure. We're the ones who have to let them know.

That said, there is something to be said for not providing a big dramatic spectacle when you get bitten, either. Since our vocalizations and body language differ greatly from those of our feathered companions, they don't instinctively know what your big reaction is about. What's to separate that big reaction from an exclamation of excitement when they do a good thing?

So you find a middle ground. Let her know, in a stern but even voice, when her beak pressure becomes too much. And physically stop her from continuing the bite. Gently, of course.

Parrots are intelligent. She'll get it.

 

[thekarens]

I'm with Stephen. If mine pinch too hard I say in the stern voice, "uh uh no" and if they keep it up (because as we know sennies are hard headed) they get a short time out.

 

[Scott]

Just remember, they are "teething!"