Trick for biters

[Kentuckienne]

Since there have been some recent posts....I have a book called "The Second Hand Parrot" and I keep it out all the time and read it over and over. There's always something I didn't notice before because I didn't need the information before. One example concerned biting.

The author had found a scarlet and couldn't locate the owner. The rumor was the people didn't want her back. In addition to other bad habits, she liked to bite hard, then laugh. So the author started jumping and yelling OUCH without waiting for the bite. When the bird realized she could get the desired drama without biting, she quit doing it.

This wouldn't work on all biters, but with a parrot that has learned to bite for entertainment it might be worth a try.

 

[Flboy]

This might be a good thread to build on!

 

[Scott]

Very clever!!!

 

[GaleriaGila]

Definitely worth a try.
The Rb likes to yell OWWWW and then bite.
So... I'll freak out when I hear the OWWW.
To be continued...

 

[trimblegirls]

Definitely worth a try.
The Rb likes to yell OWWWW and then bite.
So... I'll freak out when I hear the OWWW.
To be continued...

At least he gives you a preview of what's to come....

 

[Tsali]

Love the idea! Sometimes Tsali will shout, "No, don't bite me", just before he bites.

 

[Kentuckienne]

Definitely worth a try.
The Rb likes to yell OWWWW and then bite.
So... I'll freak out when I hear the OWWW.
To be continued...

Maybe it's too hard to pronounce "banzai"!

 

[Kentuckienne]

Another good trick courtesy of Birdman666 (please come back) is to wrap a towel around your arm, secure it with an ace bandage, and put on a long sleeved shirt. Does two things.

Bird suddenly finds that biting no longer gets a response or averts a step up.
Human suddenly not afraid to go right in for the step up with confidence.
New pattern begins from then on.

 

[RavensGryf]

IMO and IME, I don't think that all birds react to the "drama reward", but I have no doubt that many do. Maybe some species (or individuals) are even more prone to it?