Green Wing Macaw Beaking

[Supercinoman]

My 6 month old GWM has recently began a beaking behavior where she grabs my fingers and pulls them to her mouth to tongue and lightly chew on them almost like she is preening them. she occasionally puts a little to much pressure down on my fingers and I tell her no and take my fingers out of her mouth.

My question is should I allow this behavior? Is she asking for something? I eat salted pistachios or cashews quite often and I notice this behavior increases after I've had these items is my bird tasting the salt on my fingers? I use Living Worlds Clay-Cal on her fruits and veggies so I would assume she would get her salt intake from that...:red:

 

[WharfRat]

My breeder told me to watch the salt intake on mine, that is probably why they're grabbing.

Of course, they still grab my fingers anyway to play but I am always aware what I've last touched as well before handling any of the birds.

 

[lene1949]

My 6 month old GWM has recently began a beaking behavior where she grabs my fingers and pulls them to her mouth to tongue and lightly chew on them almost like she is preening them. she occasionally puts a little to much pressure down on my fingers and I tell her no and take my fingers out of her mouth.

My question is should I allow this behavior? Is she asking for something? I eat salted pistachios or cashews quite often and I notice this behavior increases after I've had these items is my bird tasting the salt on my fingers? I use Living Worlds Clay-Cal on her fruits and veggies so I would assume she would get her salt intake from that...:red:

I do allow that behaviour, and Max uses it to the full extent, like taking my finger in his beak and pushing it away... and.. if I have something he wants, he'll pull it towards him...

When he was little and when he bit too hard, I would grab him around his neck (gently), kiss his beak and say gentle... (he's got such a lovely neck)... lol

 

[KBEquine]

I think the baby needs to know how much pressure is acceptable. My amazon beaks more than my greenwing, but the greenwing is a very gentle guy at 20 years & I attribute part of it to his original owner allowing him to beak to show interest/affection & by teaching him how much pressure is acceptable.

 

[henpecked]

I agree, at some point they need to learn what is acceptable. My zons also "beak" my finger when they want to be preened,petted or want to play.

 

[MaraWentz]

When he was little and when he bit too hard, I would grab him around the neck[/QUOTE]

Haha that had me scared for a second lol I do tell same to Erin. It all8ws memo restrain her if I have to. I pet her neck all the time, butnwhen it's timemfor her nails or beak to bending I do that to restrain her, so she always stops and hinders what's next- a good scratch or a grooming so it definitely. Gets her attention and ends in a big fatbkiss lol