this biting is getting out of hand cinnamon conure

[tiamat333]

Im really losing my patients trying to re tame my conure. Nothing is working tried clicker training tried blowing on her as she is about to bite, tried the drop your finger trick nothing i can't even change her food and water bowls without her attacking. I really need a parrot behaviorist but there are none here in suffolk county long island what should i do this is kinda of an emergency

 

[legal_eagle]

I think it's better to try to prevent the biting situations from arising rather than "train" them not to bite. You want the bird to be calm and feel safe all the time, which greatly reduces the potential for biting. Most cages allow exterior access of food and water dishes so that shouldn't be a problem. If the bird goes to bite you when on your arm, for example, twist your arm quickly to throw her off balance--that will stop the biting for that moment. Pay attention to what is happening around and to her when she bites. Are there particular people or things around? Are you doing something in particular that is frightening to her (putting yourself in her position)? Also, are you spending time with her when she can just be near you hanging out so she knows you're not a threat?

 

[Megapixel]

What works for me is to simply endure the pain and not let the bird get what it wants until it stops biting. It's been years though since I've had to start fresh with a bird. I've had all of my current birds for so many years that I only have to do this occasionally when they decide it's time to test me again and in these instances, what they already know is just being re-enforced. I can only do this with the smaller birds because bigger birds can do serious damage.

I suppose I should add that this biting issue is primarily when I need to return them to their cages and they don't want to go amd I have to pick them up, so what they want is simply to be put down.

 

[kiwiS]

I think you need to take a few steps back and give your conure some time and space, and avoid all biting situations.

When you want to change your conures food and water, lure them with a treat and put it somewhere else in the cage so they are distracted from being territorial.

Kiwi rarely bites me now, but sometimes when she is cranky or, sometimes when I wear something like a cap or beanie, she will think I'm some scary monster and will bite out of fear, and also territory when I touch her food dish. I'd step back, give her some time to recognize I'm not a threat, then she's okay.

What is your conure's diet? how much sleep and sunlight is he getting? Does he have a big enough cage? Lots of toys and foraging toys? Lots of time outside the cage?

All that plays a part in his behavior, and it doesn't take a parrot trainer to tell you that. Try think of how you feel when you don't have enough sleep or have had a bad meal, and this big hand comes down and starts moving you around and trying to take your delicious food away.. you just might bite too!!

 

[tiamat333]

I think you need to take a few steps back and give your conure some time and space, and avoid all biting situations.

When you want to change your conures food and water, lure them with a treat and put it somewhere else in the cage so they are distracted from being territorial.

Kiwi rarely bites me now, but sometimes when she is cranky or, sometimes when I wear something like a cap or beanie, she will think I'm some scary monster and will bite out of fear, and also territory when I touch her food dish. I'd step back, give her some time to recognize I'm not a threat, then she's okay.

What is your conure's diet? how much sleep and sunlight is he getting? Does he have a big enough cage? Lots of toys and foraging toys? Lots of time outside the cage?

All that plays a part in his behavior, and it doesn't take a parrot trainer to tell you that. Try think of how you feel when you don't have enough sleep or have had a bad meal, and this big hand comes down and starts moving you around and trying to take your delicious food away.. you just might bite too!!

sleep varies she sometimes goes to bed at at about 8:00PM or 10:00PM and wakes up at 5:30 am she is not by a window we feed her various seeds and mix em together but she only seems to eat 2 types of the seeds one which is sunflower seeds. she has no foraging toys but has a few bell toys and I would spend more time with her but cant get her out of the cage without a perch

 

[kiwiS]

Okay, hmm..well here are some tips for her current living situation:

Sleep: Probably needs a couple more hours of sleep. Covering her cage with a very dark cloth at bedtime might help with this.

Diet: She needs to have fresh vegetables and fruits and pellets added to her diet. I would say 55% chop mix (veggies, fruits, cooked sweet potato, cooked rice, cooked squash), 40% pellets, 5% seeds. SUnflower seeds should only be fed once in a while , like during training

Toys: She probably needs more than a few bell toys, get her some nice shredding toys , or you can even make your own - there are tons of ideas on this forum. Kiwi likes these for example :

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Wesco-Original-Bird-Kabob-Shreddable/dp/B0002FP1W0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1387588028&sr=8-2&keywords=parrot+toys]Amazon.com: Wesco Pet Original Bird Kabob Shreddable Bird Toy: Pet Supplies[/ame]

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Super-Creations-5-Inch-Foraging-Basket/dp/B005563JZC/ref=pd_sim_petsupplies_23]Amazon.com: Super Bird Creations 10 by 5-Inch Foraging Basket Bird Toy, Medium: Pet Supplies[/ame]

Time spent: You don't have to take her out of the cage to spend time. You can definitely keep the door open, but talk to her, sing songs from your ipod, read a book out loud. Even eat something..she might come out and approach you out of curiosity - this would be a great thing!! If she can accept you as a friend, she will let you do a lot more things, like pick her up. This might take a while, but just stay positive and you will see things turn around. Also, keep training time really short ..say if you start having her step up etc. If she steps up once the first time , then just end there with praise and lots of treats. Always end on a good note


Hope all this helps!!!

 

[GaryBV]

Kiwi has given some very good advice here, about the diet and about the toys as well - those Wesco Kabobs are awesome and give your bird something to fasten on other than your fingers and hand. The diet as you described would definitely be deficient over time, and should include quite a few fruits and vegetables, and I agree with the pellet recommendation also, preferably ones that are natural and not artifically colored. She could be quite bored and is taking that out on you similiarly to how a 'hyper' dog will be all wound up until you run and exercise it.

 

[tiamat333]

Thanks for the tips

 

[stacibaby]

I've just brought home a 4 year old sun. He's aggressive, bites, and is totally unsociable. Please help