help here-please

[miamore]

ok i have a gcc that was hatched on 9-21-09. he is a good bird for the most part but has begun to bit. we have had him now for 2 weeks.(i say he but we arent sure yet). is there anything i can do to get him to stop bitting everytime we have him out? also is it normal for them to attack other birds?. we had a conure a some time ago and he was bad with everybody but my husband. now this little one bits but hasnt drawn blood. is it a natural thing for them to do? also any type of conure advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

They can bite for many reasons. First, they explore with their beaks, but usually it's pretty easy to tell the difference between exploratory nibbles and bites. If he is biting though could you say more about what is going on when it happens? What are you doing, what is he doing, where is he biting, etc...

 

[miamore]

ok so basically he bits when you hold him. he does taste you a bit with his beak at times but other times he latches on. it is mostly with other people besides myself although he has bit me a couple of times before he was weaned. usually if my husband is holding him he will latch on to his fingers. other times he is sitting on my husbands shoulder and will bit his neck or ears. he has left small inprints on him but like i said never blood. do you think he is just going through a phase since he is so young? i have a 3 month old baby tiel that started getting nippy recently. i handfed the baby tiel as well she seems to do it if we dont scratch her head in the way she wants us to or if we go to put her in her cage at bed time.

 

[antoinette]

Hi miamore
There could be many reasons for him biting.
As AD mentioned, exploring with their beaks.
Keep in mind, he is still so young.
Any sudden movement or sounds scare any bird.
When you are holding him, and need to get up, tell him what you are going to do.
When you want to give him a lovies, say lovies then go ahead.
Take care

 

[miamore]

well the baby is better with me much better. he/she is still testy with my husband and most other people. we noticed it more if the other birds we own are out and about. also one more question? can we ever get our conure to get along with other birds? we have cockatiels and budgies and it seems like our gcc attacks them.

 

[justwingingit]

Hi miamore! Everything that has been suggested is correct and has been good. I have taught my babies about the proper pressure to use, especially my Hyacinth, Talara. You know they could really do some damage. When we are wrestling and she gets going too hard, I say "uh-uh, too hard" and she backs off. You can do the same with your conure. I also like to use positive reinforcement and distractions. There are neat little "birdie necklaces" that you can wear around your neck; you can even make one yourself with little blocks and shiny plastic toys. When they get too bitey, I re-direct them to the necklace or some other foot toy to distract the behavior. Praise them when they do right. Sometimes, all I have to do is lift my pointer finger and wiggle it while telling them no! Let us know how you are coming along.

 

[miamore]

well he still nips everybody but me,he is doing it less though. he attacks all the other birds how do i get that to stop? do i just let him out alone and not with my other 3 conures?