My parrot likes me but still bites!

Winston1Smith2 · Mar 19, 2010

I got a Greencheek Conure, his name is Cracker, about a week ago. He is generally a very sweet bird. He allows me to pet him and he loves to sit on my shoulder and be around me. He acts like he is excited to see me and will jump on my hand without any hesitation. The problem I have with him he also likes to bite me. The thing is I do not think he is being aggressive. He could be sitting on my shoulder peaceful as can be then out of the blue he will bite. Is there anything I can do to stop this behavior?

parrotqueen · Mar 19, 2010

He may need a tad longer to adjust to you, my boys really took awhile to loosen up.

If he bites 'out of the blue', then he may be bored perhaps? Sunshine will chew my finger when he wants my attention, he knows that it makes me jump. Make sure you keep him well entertained and see if it improves.

antoinette · Mar 19, 2010

Winston a warm welcome to the forum
I agree with parrotqueen, Cracker needs time to adjust, get familiar with his new family and new surroundings.
I reckon he is just being loving and seeking attention.
When he starts to bite, tell him no no, in a gentle but firm way.
If he persists, place him back in his cage, for a while. "Time Out"
Take him out again, if he continues biting, then back to the cage.
He will eventually realize, if he bites, it's time out and hopefully he will stop biting.
Ps, perhaps it has something to do with his name LoL Bite a cracker
Keep us updated

Auggie's Dad · Mar 19, 2010

Sounds like great responses already. I am curious if you could describe the biting though. It is not uncommon for parrots to bite 'out of the blue' for no (apparent) reason. But it is also quite common, and quite a different thing, for them to play/groom/etc with their beak - and while it may be uncomfortable this is distinct from biting. Is he breaking the skin or leaving bruises? If so this is a bite, if not then it may be something else (overstimulated, wanting to play ...)

Winston1Smith2 · Mar 20, 2010

I would like to thank all of you, parrotqueen, antionette, and Auggie's Dad for your response to my question. As a direct response to Auggie's Dad, only two of the bites caused me to bleed and that was on the first or second day I got my parrot. Since then none of his bites have caused me to bleed, and fewer of them are breaking the skin, although they are still a little uncomfortable, like being constantly pinched. I think I will give him another week to ten days to fully adust to me before doing anything. Then if that does not work I will try the suggestion Antionette and firmly but gently tell him no and put him back in his cage for about one hour. Once again, I thank all of you for your very helpful responses.

Winston Smith

Auggie's Dad · Mar 20, 2010

Sounds like a good plan.

Parrots do bite for any number of reason. Not always due to 'aggression'. Often if they get overstimulated or excited they can - and most often when they get scared or surprised. As everything is still quite new to him he likely gets scared/startled often.

A bit of time and patience can do wonders. Keep us informed if you don't continue to see progress.

KJS · Mar 20, 2010

I, too, have a little GCC named Kiwi.......and, yes, she likes to "bite." I rescued her when she was about 6 or so months and I've now had her for about 2 1/2 years. When I first got her there was A LOT of blood.......and she still wants to bite fingers (wonder if people were poking at her before I knew her?!?). She's very gluey and wants affection, but I have to wear "armor" because she is very "oral" and just generally wants to pick. The majority of the picking and biting is not malicious, but she does have a little temper once in a while and I just re-direct her attention to stop the "attack" behavior!! This species is known for being "nippy" and territorial anyway......just have lots of patience and never get mad or take it personal!!

Auggie's Dad · Mar 20, 2010

You can sometimes see it coming too.

I just caught Auggie eyeing my fingers like they were a juicy prey item. Right before he attacked I yelled a quick "Hey" and he looked up and tried to play innocent.

djfazzari · Mar 21, 2010

Winston1Smith2 said:
I got a Greencheek Conure, his name is Cracker, about a week ago. He is generally a very sweet bird. He allows me to pet him and he loves to sit on my shoulder and be around me. He acts like he is excited to see me and will jump on my hand without any hesitation. The problem I have with him he also likes to bite me. The thing is I do not think he is being aggressive. He could be sitting on my shoulder peaceful as can be then out of the blue he will bite. Is there anything I can do to stop this behavior?

Hi my name is David. To reply to your post if I may... about the biting. First what environment is the bird in just before it bites you. Is there loud music or loud sounds coming from the TV? Did someone just slam a door hard and freak out the bird. Never hit your bird if it bites you. When you talk to your bird about its biting try not to let the bird be eye to eye or higher than you. Always the bird should be slightly lower as if looking down on the bird so as not to let the bird assume authority over you. This was all taught to me from the owner at my job at the bird store I worked at. Very reputable lady when I lived in Colorado. She used to have a spray bottle for when they bite her. Not in the eye use common sense please. If you do hit the bird that will just diminish trust and build resentment within your relationship with your pet. Thanks I hope this helped. David

Winston1Smith2 · Mar 21, 2010

Usually when he bites, if that is even the proper term for what he thinks he is doing, I am playing a game over the internet or visiting a chat room. I am by no means an expert on parrot behavior. My only knowledge of parrot behavior is from what I read about them over the internet over a two week period and owning Cracker for a little over a week. It just does not seem logical that he is doing it out of aggression, hatred, or fear. If you could see the way he jumps onto my hand, the way he greets me when I come home from work, or the fuss he puts up when I put him back in his cage I think you would agree the above mentioned explanations do not make sense. I think I am going to follow the advice of both Parrot Queen and Antionette. I will also remember to keep Cracker beneath eye level when talking to him about biting. I have never hit Cracker and have always treated him very gently even when he bites. Thanks for the consideration you have shown in responding to my post.

antoinette · Mar 21, 2010

Winston1Smith2 said:
Usually when he bites, if that is even the proper term for what he thinks he is doing, I am playing a game over the internet or visiting a chat room. I am by no means an expert on parrot behavior. My only knowledge of parrot behavior is from what I read about them over the internet over a two week period and owning Cracker for a little over a week. It just does not seem logical that he is doing it out of aggression, hatred, or fear. If you could see the way he jumps onto my hand, the way he greets me when I come home from work, or the fuss he puts up when I put him back in his cage I think you would agree the above mentioned explanations do not make sense. I think I am going to follow the advice of both Parrot Queen and Antionette. I will also remember to keep Cracker beneath eye level when talking to him about biting. I have never hit Cracker and have always treated him very gently even when he bites. Thanks for the consideration you have shown in responding to my post.

You are welcome.....

Let us know how it goes
Good luck

Auggie's Dad · Mar 21, 2010

Parrots will often bite to get attention as well. If he tends to do this when you are focused on something else (the computer) then right after he bites he likely gets lots of attention (good or bad). So, there is little surprise if he learns to do it more.

Be sure to teach him good ways to get your attention. Perhaps a particular toy or trinket he can use to signal you that he wants attention - he can then learn that "every time I ring this bell (or whatever) I get attention". That's probably easier than biting.

KJS · Mar 21, 2010

Keep in mind that a GCC is already known to be a little "nippier," and they also sometimes don't realize the strength of their beaks. There are numerous reasons for biting......fear, territory, excitement, protecting favorite person, etc. You also have to understand their "rules".......What is theirs is theirs....what is yours is theirs.....what you think is yours is theirs.....anything around them is theirs.....etc!!"

macawincrivel · Mar 22, 2010

One theory could be....Birds seek out boundaries. Your little bird is just testing the waters....nibbling and moving around to see what is "okay". Be firm and loving to establish boundaries. Just FYI, birds on shoulders can present problems.

hekkabees · Jul 15, 2023

macawincrivel said:
One theory could be....Birds seek out boundaries. Your little bird is just testing the waters....nibbling and moving around to see what is "okay". Be firm and loving to establish boundaries. Just FYI, birds on shoulders can present problems.

Can you elaborate on the problems created by sitting on shoulders? My bird loves to cuddle by hanging on to my shirt at the chest below the shoulder with my hand over her

saxguy64 · Jul 15, 2023

Please note that this thread is over 13 years old, and the OP hasn't been around since 2010, so response from them is unlikely. Perhaps other members will weigh in though.

DonnaBudgie · Jul 15, 2023

Winston1Smith2 said:
I got a Greencheek Conure, his name is Cracker, about a week ago. He is generally a very sweet bird. He allows me to pet him and he loves to sit on my shoulder and be around me. He acts like he is excited to see me and will jump on my hand without any hesitation. The problem I have with him he also likes to bite me. The thing is I do not think he is being aggressive. He could be sitting on my shoulder peaceful as can be then out of the blue he will bite. Is there anything I can do to stop this behavior?

Wear a hoodie when he's on your shoulder so he doesn't injure your face or ears. That's what I do with my very tame budgie who can't resist ears and neck skin. Other than that she's a real sweetheart.

DonnaBudgie · Jul 15, 2023

DonnaBudgie said:
Wear a hoodie when he's on your shoulder so he doesn't injure your face or ears. That's what I do with my very tame budgie who can't resist ears and neck skin. Other than that she's a real sweetheart.

I just noticed this thread is ancient.

My parrot likes me but still bites!

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