Strange Soft Biting Habit

[ChocolatFondu]

Hello!

I just adopted an 11 year old Blue and Gold Macaw from a rescue and she has this strange habit that I'm trying to understand.

From day one we've never had a problem with her stepping up, she's such a sweetheart. But, when I am holding her, she will occasionally put her beak on my arm and very, very slowly start to close her beak. She's very sneaky with it if I'm not watching. It really hurts when she gets a good grip. She has never made me bleed though, but people now look at my husband funny because of the amount of bruises on my arm...poor guy. I bruise almost every time that she bites. Is this even called biting? I'm just trying to understand what might make her do this? I've researched the internet but found nothing.

Any thoughts or suggestions on how to fix the behavior? She only does it to me and not my husband.

 

[Blancaej]

Not sure what that is about. My b&g can be nippy at times, but nothing quite like that. Hopefully someone here can help you out with some advice.

When she does do it, I would give her a time out on a perch. It teaches her negative behavior doesn't get her attention.

 

[June2012]

I don't think this is anything behavioral at all - maybe it's just that she wants to give you a pinch? I know that Scarlets will give you a small pinch as affection and that it shouldn't be misinterpreted. Perhaps it's similar, but she doesn't know her own strength. Is it correlated to anything specific?? And how does she bite? Does she very slowly close it and pinch hard, or does she do it slowly, and then snap down hard?

And love to hear that she's such a good parrot!

 

[JerseyWendy]

Hello!

I just adopted an 11 year old Blue and Gold Macaw from a rescue and she has this strange habit that I'm trying to understand.

From day one we've never had a problem with her stepping up, she's such a sweetheart. But, when I am holding her, she will occasionally put her beak on my arm and very, very slowly start to close her beak. She's very sneaky with it if I'm not watching. It really hurts when she gets a good grip. She has never made me bleed though, but people now look at my husband funny because of the amount of bruises on my arm...poor guy. I bruise almost every time that she bites. Is this even called biting? I'm just trying to understand what might make her do this? I've researched the internet but found nothing.

Any thoughts or suggestions on how to fix the behavior? She only does it to me and not my husband.

Hi there, and welcome to the forums.

B&G's 'can' be infamous for their pinching. My Niko still tries if I'm not too careful, and I know exactly what you're talking about with walking around with black and blues all over my arms (sometimes) :54:

Blanca's recommendation on time-out is a terrific one. That's actually how I got Niko to (almost) stop his pinching. Every once in a while he tries it again, but after I remind him about the time-outs that follow, he's as good as gold.

I don't think this is anything behavioral at all - maybe it's just that she wants to give you a pinch? I know that Scarlets will give you a small pinch as affection and that it shouldn't be misinterpreted. Perhaps it's similar, but she doesn't know her own strength. Is it correlated to anything specific?? And how does she bite? Does she very slowly close it and pinch hard, or does she do it slowly, and then snap down hard?

And love to hear that she's such a good parrot!

Pinching IS behavioral. Keep on reading and researching.

 

[svheartsdesire]

I believe the behavior will never stop completely...but I've managed to tone it done but twisting my arm back and forth rather quickly..birds like their perch (ie your arm) to be stable and this causes them to rethink their behavior

 

[Mariar]

My severe does the same thing with me. She'll start off nice and soft and sweet..like she's tasting me then bam! She gets me just enough to leave a mark..without blood.

 

[Christinenc2000]

Read up on Bite pressure training. If BB puts to much pressure on the bite I put a finger on his beak and he backs off........... Sometimes.
Or I can tell him NO and he will back off ...... sometimes LOL

My Mac is still testing .

 

[KBEquine]

For what it is worth, our Green Wing does that to people he likes, the first time he meets them. We warn people to tell him, "Goose - that's enough!" and he does not 'pressure test' that person again.

I do not have an explanation, but as your parrot had prior humans, maybe it was a game or something.

Try telling him/her to stop at a point when the bite is still comfortable.

Couldn't hurt. Could help. Could be your B&G is looking for what is appropriate with you. Best of luck!

Kim

 

[June2012]

Hello!

I just adopted an 11 year old Blue and Gold Macaw from a rescue and she has this strange habit that I'm trying to understand.

From day one we've never had a problem with her stepping up, she's such a sweetheart. But, when I am holding her, she will occasionally put her beak on my arm and very, very slowly start to close her beak. She's very sneaky with it if I'm not watching. It really hurts when she gets a good grip. She has never made me bleed though, but people now look at my husband funny because of the amount of bruises on my arm...poor guy. I bruise almost every time that she bites. Is this even called biting? I'm just trying to understand what might make her do this? I've researched the internet but found nothing.

Any thoughts or suggestions on how to fix the behavior? She only does it to me and not my husband.

Hi there, and welcome to the forums.

B&G's 'can' be infamous for their pinching. My Niko still tries if I'm not too careful, and I know exactly what you're talking about with walking around with black and blues all over my arms (sometimes) :54:

Blanca's recommendation on time-out is a terrific one. That's actually how I got Niko to (almost) stop his pinching. Every once in a while he tries it again, but after I remind him about the time-outs that follow, he's as good as gold.

I don't think this is anything behavioral at all - maybe it's just that she wants to give you a pinch? I know that Scarlets will give you a small pinch as affection and that it shouldn't be misinterpreted. Perhaps it's similar, but she doesn't know her own strength. Is it correlated to anything specific?? And how does she bite? Does she very slowly close it and pinch hard, or does she do it slowly, and then snap down hard?

And love to hear that she's such a good parrot!

Pinching IS behavioral. Keep on reading and researching.

Whoops! Meant to add negative.