Is this what nipping is?

masterrez

New member
May 6, 2012
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Hi! My name is ray and i just got a yellow sided green cheek conure. I have had other birds before like parakeets and tiels but never any that were known to nip.

Anyways she is a nice bird and she lets me scratch her all day. But she doesn't like to step up for some reason but im working on it.

My question is "what is nipping?" some times when i try to get her to step up or move my finger to let her perch she will step up but then she will start biting me. Not biting me hard but sort of tasting me. Its really weird. She will also press her beak down but not to the point were i feel pain as if she is scared. But is that what a nip is? And is it her way of telling me she wants something? I heard it occurs when you first get GCC but how long does it last? I don't know the birds age only know she is less than 2 and older than 6 months.

Also what kind of treats do conures like? I want to start training her but i need a treat. So far she likes millet but thats about it. Thanks for your help!!
 

FutureDVM

New member
Jan 20, 2012
373
1
Colorado
Parrots
Crimson Bellied Conure (Penny), Maximillian Pionus (Piper), Lovebird (Poco)
It's hard to tell based on your description, but it doesn't sound like what I would consider nipping. Conures in general are pretty "mouthy" birds. They like to use their beak to explore things. It sounds to me like she may just be preening your hand. Sometimes they can get a little over-excited and preen too hard to the point where it hurts.

Trust me, you'll know when she's trying to bite down hard. A full blown bite from a conure is usually pretty painful and is much different than general "mouthing". I hope that makes sense...
 
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masterrez

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May 6, 2012
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Hmm. Okay maybe she was just exploring. I don't mind and she hasn't really biten me yet. Although she has tried to bite me like once or twice but kinda in a slow motion kind of way. To the point where if i do get biten its my fault cuz i totally ignored her warnings. Other than that i love this bird! Really play full and i will start clicker training her this week.
 

cdog

New member
Feb 20, 2012
1,489
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Newbury Park, CA
Parrots
Sully-2 year old cinnamon and Bella-3 year old normal
breeding pair of gcc, Scooter & BeeBee-Sully and Bella's normal son's, Rosey- Bella and Sully's cinnamon daughter, Ella & Sunny-American budgies
That's not nippiness, Bella pretty much kills my hand when I first pick her up but its just her way of testing my hand to see if it is sturdy. Gcc love to just bite and chew on you. You will know if it is nipping because you will feel pain.
My gcc love berries and papaya for treats.
 

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