Play wrestling. Is it okay or does encourage bad behavior?

Kalel · May 28, 2015

So I love playing with my sun conure and when he gets in a really playful and hyper mood one of his favorite games is to kind of roll over sideways and grab my finger or hand and wrestle with it while on his back. He will grab it with his feet and kind chew on it with his beak in a playful way. He has never drawn blood or hurt me very badly but sometimes when he gets super hyper excited he can bite down a little harder then he probably should. I never put him in time out when he bites too hard while playing. I just tell him to play nice and grab his beak to control his bite pressure. I think it's so cute and I love playing with him this way. I've seen many videos online of people playing with their birds this way mainly caiques. Since bite pressure training is one of the essential things a bird needs to learn to be well behaved I am wondering if playing with him this way is a bad idea. Will it teach him that chewing on fingers is okay? Or is it alright because he will understand that it's only okay in this particular situation when he is wrestling with my hand? Also does anybody think it would encourage some sort of sexual aggression when he becomes more mature? He is almost 8 months old now. Thanks!

Hawk · May 28, 2015

Kalel said:
So I love playing with my sun conure and when he gets in a really playful and hyper mood one of his favorite games is to kind of roll over sideways and grab my finger or hand and wrestle with it while on his back. He will grab it with his feet and kind chew on it with his beak in a playful way. He has never drawn blood or hurt me very badly but sometimes when he gets super hyper excited he can bite down a little harder then he probably should. I never put him in time out when he bites too hard while playing. I just tell him to play nice and grab his beak to control his bite pressure. I think it's so cute and I love playing with him this way. I've seen many videos online of people playing with their birds this way mainly caiques. Since bite pressure training is one of the essential things a bird needs to learn to be well behaved I am wondering if playing with him this way is a bad idea. Will it teach him that chewing on fingers is okay? Or is it alright because he will understand that it's only okay in this particular situation when he is wrestling with my hand? Also does anybody think it would encourage some sort of sexual aggression when he becomes more mature? He is almost 8 months old now. Thanks!

Not at all....My grey loves playing. " I'll say Hey Boo boo, come play with dad over here" he'll fly over to me land on my hand and flip backwards and lay on my chest, feet straight up, do sommer saults around my hand, play going to get you....which he says " going to get you...ha ha ha ha haaaa"

So naaaaa, no bad behavior. it's common interacting with the bird, just like in the wild....and hey they love it. Great bonding tool. And yeah they get carried away and bite sometimes, but out of play and don't mean it.
If they bite out of excitement...suck it up...they are playing and love you for playing with them. Just remind them that it hurts to bite hard....My grey stops everything and puts his foot on my mouth when I say Oww too hard of a bite. Then I just nibble on his feet and say " gentle' and he dose same right back on my hand....softly.
He's getting it down..... Such a very good bird. Always wanting to learn. Watches me and then tries to copy me. He has this new toy that is a bird, that has a hat, and I place the hat on the bird, then take it off and say ok you do it....and he takes the hat and puts it on the bird. Greys are amazing.

Kalel · May 28, 2015

Thanks, Hawk! I really enjoy playing with him like this! Good to know others do this also

. However, your grey really does sound amazing! You are making me want one! Lol.

SilverLining · May 28, 2015

Wow, my sun conure is only 3 months and she loves to play the same exact way!

She snuggles up next to you and then rolls over to her back and wrestles with my finger. I tickle her belly and wrestle with her beak. She goes crazy, starts purring and clicking at me and just loves that game.

She does occasionally bite down a little harder than normal. But as you said, never too painful. I can make an angry face and say "gentle" she tends to back off.

I highly doubt this is unhealthy. Your sun is young and still developing. Playing this way is great for brain development, coordination and bonding. In my opinion, I do not think you will have a problem with bad behavior down the line.

Mekaisto · May 28, 2015

It's not an issue now, but may lead to real biting once he hits puberty. The important thing is knowing how to calm him down (which you already seem to know), and how to recognise when he's a little too excited.

JellyBean · May 28, 2015

JellyBean does the exact same thing... puts his little foot on my finger and wants to be turned over... I have always played with him like this! Another thing he loves whilst on his back in a hair band (like a pony tail holder) and holds it between his two feet or tries to put it over his head - it is hilarious!!

Birdman666 · May 28, 2015

Mekaisto said:
It's not an issue now, but may lead to real biting once he hits puberty. The important thing is knowing how to calm him down (which you already seem to know), and how to recognise when he's a little too excited.

Exactly.

As long as he isn't overstimulated, it's just play. And it's fun for both of you.

Kalel · May 28, 2015

Thanks everyone for the replies! Good to know that it's OK because he seems to love playing this way! Silverlining, Lemon does the exact same thing as Mango! He will often snuggle up against you or between your neck and the couch for example and when "cornered" like this will flip on his back and wrestle! He also LOVES chasing around a rope chew toy with wood blocks and leather bits in it. I pull it along the ground like a snake and he stalks and chases it until he eventually grabs it with his beak or sometimes even pounces on it and rolls around with it in his beak and feet! You'd think he's a cat!

Play wrestling. Is it okay or does encourage bad behavior?

Kalel

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New bird, please help!!!!

sleeping out of cage at night safe.

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