My amazon acts very friendly, he talks, whistle and loves being petted but my only problem is that when he is on his cage or somewhere stable he likes to try and bite when I reach in and try and let him perch on my arm, most of the time the only way he will go on my arm is when he is either on the couch or on the floor. He’s about alittle over 3 years old is there anyway I can fix the behavior?
Question about biting
- Thread starter Keebler25
- Start date
chris-md
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
- 4,360
- 2,146
- Parrots
- Parker - male Eclectus
Aphrodite - red throated conure (RIP)
I’m sorry your having an issue with this. How old is he?
ParrotGenie
Member
- Jan 10, 2019
- 946
- 23
- Parrots
- 2 umbrella Cockatoos One male named Cooper and female named Baby 1 Little Corella male named Frankie and have 5 Cockatiels three named Male named Pepper, Fiesco for the female and female named Wylie.
That cage aggression. You have to train him away from cage and usually will change toys and perches in cage around and move cage in different area to cut aggression. Then teach step up outside away from cage usually a T stand for training. Also target training works as well.
You can also use a perch to get him to step on so you can avoid getting bit. Don't react to the biting, he will learn it is not effective in making you go away from cage.
He let you pick him up on floor and couch as he vulnerable, so reason he let you pick him up and not attack as not his safe area as his cage is. Amazon's from experience are very territorial and he doesn't want you in his space. So will take time in getting him use to you, or hands being in his cage. Reward him with favorite treat when he doesn't bit, but start off by letting him see your hand in cage as well regularly then get him to step up, once he steps up regularly outside his cage.
You can also use a perch to get him to step on so you can avoid getting bit. Don't react to the biting, he will learn it is not effective in making you go away from cage.
He let you pick him up on floor and couch as he vulnerable, so reason he let you pick him up and not attack as not his safe area as his cage is. Amazon's from experience are very territorial and he doesn't want you in his space. So will take time in getting him use to you, or hands being in his cage. Reward him with favorite treat when he doesn't bit, but start off by letting him see your hand in cage as well regularly then get him to step up, once he steps up regularly outside his cage.
Last edited:
- Thread Starter
- Thread starter
- #5
He doesn’t act aggressive on the cage, only when I put my arm out for him to step up other then that he doesn’t bite at all he takes treats no problem. And when he does go on my arm after being on the floor ect he fine let will either stay on my arm or go to my shoulder he won’t try and jump off
ParrotGenie
Member
- Jan 10, 2019
- 946
- 23
- Parrots
- 2 umbrella Cockatoos One male named Cooper and female named Baby 1 Little Corella male named Frankie and have 5 Cockatiels three named Male named Pepper, Fiesco for the female and female named Wylie.
S
We just call it cage aggression, doesn't mean he fully aggressive. Just doesn't like to step up in cage is due to him likely being territorial and usually won't step up while in cage, or some birds don't like hands, or arms at all in cage. Doesn't mean he aggression overall, or not bonded to you. His cage to him is his safe spot and he less likely to listen when he in his cage. It actually common with Amazon's especially as they are very territorial about their space. Two ways to get him to listen is target/stick training, or moving toys and perches around in cage and even moving cage in different area usually will help as he no longer thinks it is the same cage and likely will listen, till he get use to your arm in cage and stepping up.
I deal with a lot of rescues that had that same issue, Amazon's are usually the ones that are very territorial about cage they are in and even people they bond to. Reason why most consider them a one person bird. Had success socializing them to multiple people, but harder then most birds I trained over the years.
We just call it cage aggression, doesn't mean he fully aggressive. Just doesn't like to step up in cage is due to him likely being territorial and usually won't step up while in cage, or some birds don't like hands, or arms at all in cage. Doesn't mean he aggression overall, or not bonded to you. His cage to him is his safe spot and he less likely to listen when he in his cage. It actually common with Amazon's especially as they are very territorial about their space. Two ways to get him to listen is target/stick training, or moving toys and perches around in cage and even moving cage in different area usually will help as he no longer thinks it is the same cage and likely will listen, till he get use to your arm in cage and stepping up.
I deal with a lot of rescues that had that same issue, Amazon's are usually the ones that are very territorial about cage they are in and even people they bond to. Reason why most consider them a one person bird. Had success socializing them to multiple people, but harder then most birds I trained over the years.
Last edited:
noodles123
Well-known member
- Jul 11, 2018
- 8,145
- 475
- Parrots
- Umbrella Cockatoo- 15? years old..I think?
could be that he doesn't want to step up because he is happy where he is.
If he has access to any shadowy nooks/crannies/low shelves/under furniture, bedding. boxes etc, remove that access (as it can increase hormonal behaviors which can including biting.
The floor is probably a more vulnerable place and the couch is less familiar too, so it may just be that he isn't wanting to step up when he's in his cage. If he goes to the top of his cage is he still biting? Does he have a play perch? If so, does he bite there?
If your bird isn't skittish and knows you well, you could try standing on a small stepping stool when he is on the cage-top and see if that height elevation makes your attempt any more successful. This sometimes works, (but it doesn't have to do with dominance either, which is incorrect)...so I am not sure why it is sometimes effective. Perhaps because you seem like a more trustworthy perch when you aren't reaching up....they do feel more confident when higher up in many cases...
If he has access to any shadowy nooks/crannies/low shelves/under furniture, bedding. boxes etc, remove that access (as it can increase hormonal behaviors which can including biting.
The floor is probably a more vulnerable place and the couch is less familiar too, so it may just be that he isn't wanting to step up when he's in his cage. If he goes to the top of his cage is he still biting? Does he have a play perch? If so, does he bite there?
If your bird isn't skittish and knows you well, you could try standing on a small stepping stool when he is on the cage-top and see if that height elevation makes your attempt any more successful. This sometimes works, (but it doesn't have to do with dominance either, which is incorrect)...so I am not sure why it is sometimes effective. Perhaps because you seem like a more trustworthy perch when you aren't reaching up....they do feel more confident when higher up in many cases...
Last edited:
AmyMyBlueFront
Well-known member
- Apr 14, 2015
- 6,315
- Media
- 4
- 3,034
- Parrots
- Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(
And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
Amy used to be very aggressive when I'd reach into his house to retrieve his bowls. He'd lunge at my hand ( sometimes he'd hit his mark 
) and poof up and flash his eyeballs or grab a toy and beat the crud out of it,until I got him his mansion where it has doors to open to get the bowls. Even on top of his play area he'd get protective.
This went on for YEARS! He'll be 31 next month. I've been using his favorite "perch stick" for years now and at times when on his play top he gets pissy and bites the stick or rolls on his back kicking it while biting a toy..I think its a game for him! BUT as soon as he get's on the stick and away from his house he returns to his mostly sweet self.
Jim
) and poof up and flash his eyeballs or grab a toy and beat the crud out of it,until I got him his mansion where it has doors to open to get the bowls. Even on top of his play area he'd get protective.This went on for YEARS! He'll be 31 next month. I've been using his favorite "perch stick" for years now and at times when on his play top he gets pissy and bites the stick or rolls on his back kicking it while biting a toy..I think its a game for him! BUT as soon as he get's on the stick and away from his house he returns to his mostly sweet self.
Jim
Most commonly, one has not completed Bonding with ones Parrot!
A Bonded Parrot wants to be with you and is commonly looking for you to interact with them as soon as you show-up. So, more effort on Bonding with your Amazon.
- At three, your Amazon is well into using Body Language and if you have not read with understanding the Thread at or near the top of the Amazon Forum, its time to start with effort! I find that sitting next to your Amazon and reading that Thread multiple times 'out loud' is very helpful for both of you. FYI: Use a comforting voice!!!
- Completing 'Bonding with your Amazon' is very important. Your Amazon should want to be near you. By assuring that only good things happen when Humans are around goes along way to developing that Bond.
- Stop just showing-up at the cage or perch and demanding a step-up! That is a great start to assuring a lung and/or bite.
- Assure you are actively using contact-calls when you are approaching your Parrot from as far away as possible. The closer you are, the more effort is needed in assuring your Parrot is aware of your approach and what /why you are coming.
- If you are close by, slow the approach to a claw and assure that your Parrot what to interact with you, i.e., shows interest in your approach. If your Parrot turns his back to you or moves away, he is clearly not ready.
Amazon are no more disinterested than another, nor are they any more into cage dominating than any other Parrot.
A Bonded Parrot wants to be with you and is commonly looking for you to interact with them as soon as you show-up. So, more effort on Bonding with your Amazon.
- At three, your Amazon is well into using Body Language and if you have not read with understanding the Thread at or near the top of the Amazon Forum, its time to start with effort! I find that sitting next to your Amazon and reading that Thread multiple times 'out loud' is very helpful for both of you. FYI: Use a comforting voice!!!
- Completing 'Bonding with your Amazon' is very important. Your Amazon should want to be near you. By assuring that only good things happen when Humans are around goes along way to developing that Bond.
- Stop just showing-up at the cage or perch and demanding a step-up! That is a great start to assuring a lung and/or bite.
- Assure you are actively using contact-calls when you are approaching your Parrot from as far away as possible. The closer you are, the more effort is needed in assuring your Parrot is aware of your approach and what /why you are coming.
- If you are close by, slow the approach to a claw and assure that your Parrot what to interact with you, i.e., shows interest in your approach. If your Parrot turns his back to you or moves away, he is clearly not ready.
Amazon are no more disinterested than another, nor are they any more into cage dominating than any other Parrot.
Most Reactions
-
628 -
266 -
231 -
187 -
158 -
110 -
108 -
82 -
72 -
55 -
O
52
-
46 -
45 -
40 -
34
