Martini-you are not playing nice

[crimson]

for a bird that is so young, why in the world does it like to chomp on my fingers like they are a chew toy....not just a gentle beaking, squeeeezing like she want to see my eyes pop out of my head....what is all that about??

this is no phase, I know the breeder I got her from never corrected her when she beaked him,she did it at least 6 times while I was in his house, so in reality he taught her this, and it's happening more frequently all the time.

I should have called her Miss Beaky.

the other day she was on my arm, I was hand feeding my cockatiel and red rump chicks.

I had a sweater on, and her latest fascination is chomping on my clothes.
well she caught the skin on my arm through the material .... I just gently flung her off my arm so she was in mid air. she came back on me, demanding attention.



ok, I know it's not a macaw bite, but a bite is a bite, and she is just 4 months old!

is this really a phase or has the breeder inadvertently taught Martini to do this?

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh I'm sorry Beth! Behavior is such a frustrating thing isn't it! I think it's just going to take some time unfortunately Beth. Keep being consistent in your re-directing! and training.

It might not work (or at first) and really depending on the bird, but when she's bitey, say "gentle... gentle" as you hold your index finger near her beak but out of reach, and say it calmly and quietly in a relaxed voice and body language. You might be angry and have to fight within yourself to bring yourself to act calm, but you know how smart they are! I think she would at least start to KNOW what you want or don't want. They real issue is whether or not she CARES what you want or don't want LOL!

I will tell you Raven is super intelligent and he KNOWS exactly what things mean. He doesn't always give a crap about being a good boy though. He doesn't always care about positive reinforcement either. I think too, besides early socialization, some is just maybe a naturally strong personality with Martini too? Raven's breeder told me (and I could see from pics) that he was a very STRONG personality from the moment he was able to sit up and see! I picked him because he had the prettiest coloration of the clutch, but wow he's a strong willed handful which is not typical for a Pionus. So different situation, but I'm saying I feel for you!

Good luck Beth. Stare at her and say a firm No! Then try the "gentle" with her, and put her down or back in the cage when she won't comply. You'll get some good responses and suggestions on this thread too I'm sure

 

[crimson]

I think your right Julie, she has a strong personality, and doesn't care about being good.

she thinks she's a naughty girl and loves it!

this is so foreign to me, none of my birds bite(all 12 of them) even Safari never ever bit me, he didn't have the personality for it(or so it seemed)

I have to find something that will get across to her, this is when I wish I was a bird, haha

 

[Terry57]

Oh my gosh, Beth , what a bruise!
I know if anyone can figure out how to break her from this, it is you. Hopefully someone else will chime in with some good advice, I wish I knew what to tell you