Hand reared conure biting

[Sammy1991]

I have a 15 week old hand reared green cheek conure bought him from a pet shop first few days we have had him he has been fine playing with me. He loves it when you tickle his neck and lay him down and tickle his belly Recently he has started biting hard not playing he attacks your hand if you put it near him and chases your hand when you move it away as if he's is attacking you. If anyone has and ideas why he is doing this and how to stop this please help

 

[Featheredsamurai]

It could be bluffing, it may hurt but you should just let him bite you and show no fear. Pulling your hand away as you have been doing only reinforces the behavior.

 

[legal_eagle]

That sounds like typical play-type behavior from a GCC (I have a GCC for 14 years). I say play-type, because it sounds like there's an aggressive edge to it. I would back off on what you're doing that triggers the more aggressive responses, which are a natural part of GCC behavior when triggered and should be avoided rather than gotten rid of, which is impossible. If I wave my finger in front of my GCC's face for a bit she will eventually strike at it with more force than if she were, for example, trying to tell me I'm scratching her too hard. If you pay close attention when you're playing with your bird you'll see when you have done something that triggers the "attack" mode. Then just don't do that again (it sounds like your GCC tolerates some interactions without becoming aggressive). You might make the aggressiveness a habit if you ignore the triggers, btw, so heed what your bird is telling you. GCC's are known to be feisty and not prone to backing down.

 

[Echo]

I really do not recommend you to let him bite you. Even though baby GCC go through a "teething" phase, you should know how to effectively handle it. This is what I do :
what do i do if my bird is biting; cage bound parrot; help with biting bird; mean agressive conyer; conure won't get off the cage

Ps: I am not that breeder

 

[MonicaMc]

I agree with Legal Eagle - try to find the triggers to biting/nipping and avoid them. Also, it would help to redirect the behavior to toys, doing tricks, exercising, or perhaps an aggressive game that your conure can do that doesn't involve being bitten.

Exercise and "jobs" are recommended for hyperactive dogs. Exercise helps them to get rid of pent up energy, and "jobs" or tricks give them a mental outlet.

Parrots? We clip their wings and stick them in a cage, then wonder why they bite. They have no way to get rid of their pent up energy which may lead to bad behaviors. If you exercise them and mentally challenge them, it will give them outlets to get rid of all that energy.... and green cheeks are said to be very active little birds!

 

[Sammy1991]

I have also noticed that he is biting/grooming and itching a lot is this normal??

 

[MonicaMc]

He sounds a bit too young to be molting, but it wouldn't hurt to give him extra baths if he seems itchy.

It is possible that something within the environment is bothering him as well.

 

[Peanutsmum]

My GCC Peanut did that for a while when he was that age. He's almost 6 months old now and has settled down a lot. He is still prone to attacking bare feet so we all wear socks to prevent it. GCC are reknown for being nippy anyway and Peanut is no exception