New and Learning

[dlilrhonn]

I'm new to all these birds! I've had Kate, my sun conure for a year, and just got Zoe, my African Grey and Maxie, my cockateil. It's a zoo. Kate acts like a juvenile deliquent. She is hilarious and has personality plus, but she's bad. Certain people that she doesn't like, she'll charge them and then laugh about it. I know its gonna take time with the other two cause they just had a change of homes, but they are doing good and seem to be coming around. The problem I would like to solve is the biting when hands approach them. How do you stop this habit? Can someone give me some advice? Thanks in advance.
Bird Lover

 

[brandi]

sorry i really cant.. i did go through this with my amazon the only thing i found useful was to let her know i WAS NOT SCARED OF HER.. (and it was hard because it hurt to be bit) but when she'd bite or go to bite id keep my hand in place (even when she actually bit me) and as soon as she showed she was calm then id remove my hand.
it worked for me.. but of course i had sore hands for a few weeks.

hope someone can offer up any more advise

 

[Belle]

Welcome to the forum...someone more experienced that I will be along to give you some good advice...enjoy your birds! Right now I'm researching to find the right feathered friend.

 

[Auggie's Dad]

Welcome dlilrhonn,

Biting is a frustrating problem, but that's part of being owned by a conure. They do go through phases, and there is much that can be done to minimize it.

If you could describe it a bit more perhaps we could get to the bottom of it. Who's biting, who do they bite, when, how often, what are the 'victims' doing at the time, etc, etc? Biting is not 'one' problem, there could be any number of things behind it so more details will be needed, though in general Brandi's advice is right on - if they know it works they will keep going, but just ignoring it and pretending it doesn't hurt can be a long and painful way of dealing with it. Not reacting, as Brandi recommended, paired with other measures would be the best - but again to determine the 'other measures' we'd need to know more.

 

[brandi]

Welcome dlilrhonn,

Biting is a frustrating problem, but that's part of being owned by a conure. They do go through phases, and there is much that can be done to minimize it.

If you could describe it a bit more perhaps we could get to the bottom of it. Who's biting, who do they bite, when, how often, what are the 'victims' doing at the time, etc, etc? Biting is not 'one' problem, there could be any number of things behind it so more details will be needed, though in general Brandi's advice is right on - if they know it works they will keep going, but just ignoring it and pretending it doesn't hurt can be a long and painful way of dealing with it. Not reacting, as Brandi recommended, paired with other measures would be the best - but again to determine the 'other measures' we'd need to know more.

I also want to add to this what color clothing is being worn at the time.. i have this issue still whenever im wearing a specific color or shirts with long arms. my mauie will bite if you have any type of clothing on your arms

 

[brandi]

also to add one more option here.. if this is a bird that simply has not been worked with at all. and of course there is no specific "trigger" to the biting then id also like to recommend the Popsicle stick approach. im not sure on exactly how to advise you to do this as ive never done this myself.. but ive heard wonderful things about its outcome. this in conjunction with clicker (positive reinforcement) training you should have a pretty good outcome.. but always keep in mind that with any form of training PATIENCE is ALWAYS key
GOOD LUCK

here is a link to clicker/reinforcement training

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlcdRa5j-x0]YouTube - Touch Training Amazon Parrot[/ame]

if the link dont work let me know

 

[antoinette]

Hi Dlilrhonn and welcome
This may sound weird in the way I stopped my AG Mishka from biting me.
When she tried to bite, I made a fist, said in a stern voice "say sorry"
Whenever she tried to bite or basically attack me, I made the fist.
Now day's when she has done wrong, she drops her head down and says sorry.
AD gives great advise, I read all his posts, tips etc. Have learnt so much from him.
Follow his advise
Keep us posted
Take care

 

[justwingingit]

Welcome to this forum. I really do enjoy it. It has been a great learning experience for me and I have gained much. I have some birds that were rescues and they can be very unpredictable. With those birds, I trained them to step up by bringing my hand behind them instead of in front. In the cage, it's a bit more tricky due to the space you're working in. They often come out onto the door and I pick them up. With all the suggestions you've been given, you will be able to find your way. I hope I did not confuse you. Keep us posted!