Life with birds..................................

[mtdoramike]

Yesterday was not one of my better days with my birds. First thing in the morning, I opened up Tiki's cage (my 2 1/2 year old Senegal). She came out of her cage and seemed to be happy as usual and climbed out onto one of her perches. I did something that I don't normally do and bent over to her to rub my cheek against her beak. THAT WAS A MISTAKE, she bit my cheek, which quickly started bleeding. It wasn't bad, only a small puncture wound. I picked her up and set her on my knee for awhile and all was forgiven since it was mainly my fault.

About an hour later, Mac came out of his cage and wondered into the Kitchen where I was. I picked him up so as not to step on him. I went to place him on the back of a chair so that he could still watch me, but not be underfoot. Weeeeellllllll, as I was moving my arm over to the back of the chair, Mac reached down with his beak and bit the living umph umph out of my thumb, which also started bleeding. This startled me and I dropped Mac to the floor, fortunately, it wasn't very high because I have tile floors. When I went back to pick him up, he gave my wrist a good pinch as well.

So I have no idea what caused this, but my wife told me I must have been putting off some sort of vibe that the birds picked up on. They were sweet and lovable the rest of the day with me and my wife. I at a loss as to what caused this reaction especially with Mac. With Tiki, I figure I violated her space while she was on her cage and paid the price for it.

 

[antoinette]

Sorry about your mishaps Mike, these things happen.
We are not perfect, and hopefully learn by our mistakes.
It is hard to remember to do things exactly the same, each time when handling a bird.
At least they were loving the rest of the day "they forgave you"

 

[henpecked]

Ah, you just needed to be put in your place, "Who's the big bird now !" LOL

 

[wenz2712]

It comes as quite a shock when they bite

Maybe Mac was having an off moment! Hope your thumb and cheek heal soon though

Have a lovely Xmas

 

[MikeyTN]

It happens to the best of us...lol....JoJo have given me a few good nips before but never break the skin yet, but Gracie has. Dixie did many years ago, she don't do that anymore. Willie do it during hormone, really bad damage. Malachai does it out of spike sometimes and have caused me to bleed. The smaller birds, not really once they got to be with us for a while, during the beginning some would. The worst one is Java and we won't even go there with the bird that have emotional problems....lol.....

 

[goalerjones]

Birds can be set off by little things but give "tells" when they are ticked off. My Hahn's eyes change when he is going to strike. The eye color increases in size. Also, don't reinforce the negative behaviors. If they are misbehaving restrict their socialization with you. And birds don't always want to be social, just included.