Was this the right thing to do?

Stitchthestitch · Mar 6, 2020

So... Albie was sat on my arm quite happy and chill (he's flitting between me and hubby) next thing I know my little T-Rex crossed velociraptor walks down my arm and bites my finger hatd, like definite beak impression hard.

I was sat here on my phone, I wasn't stroking him or touching him, I was reading to him gently, I wasn't moving.

So I calmly in a disapproved tone, said no biting, picked him up and placed him on the chair across the room.

Is this right?

I learned a long time ago not to react to bites.

LaManuka · Mar 6, 2020

Aha! Welcome to the world of “parrots hate it when you’re on the phone”! Doesn’t matter if you’re talking on it or not, you’re not giving him your undivided attention!

You handled it well though, the idea is not to not react at all, rather not to overreact. Popping him down somewhere neutral like the back of a chair or the floor and walking away is ideal, never his cage. Maintain no eye contact for a good five minutes to allow Albie to contemplate the error of his ways and he should soon get the message that the fun with his flock stops when the biting starts.

Laurasea · Mar 6, 2020

My GCC gets jealous if the phone, and used to bite when I held it. They can tell you are paying attention not to them but to that evil phone!

I say no with attitude and squint my eyes, and do as you did. A second bite goes to the cage for five min.

But I also positive reinforce the phone. I gave treats while holding phone. So phone is good not bad. Didn't take long. And now she just ignores the phone mostly.

Stitchthestitch · Mar 6, 2020

That good to know I did the right thing. Its exactly what I did with my dog when It got to over excited and started biting. And it's what I told mum to do with her new pup. Time out in the kitchen away from the family.

It's not the worst bite I've ever gotten (don't think anything will top the great dance bite) but dang it stung!

Cagzo · Mar 7, 2020

Connie flew into a rage when visitors left. She was happily going to my daughter,and grand daughter,being really sweet,then when everyone left after 3 days,the minute I asked her to step up,she ran at me and bit, this was when I learned not to get her to step up from the top part of her cage. It took 3 weeks to get her back to normal. I tried to google what was wrong,and it said the bird probably thought you were in danger from these people!!! She was biting to warn me to keep away from people she didnt know??
I did wonder if GD had been putting her fingers through the bars,though I told everyone not to.
You did the right thing Stitch,they hate being ignored,and not having eye contact. You could try the head pressing "NO" Theres a lady showing it on You tube.

clark_conure · Mar 7, 2020

Stitchthestitch that is the time out method, its the approved preferred method. And it works. Just keep it up.

Stitchthestitch · Mar 7, 2020

Connie sounds like a real character! He is still only a baby yet but I do need to keep consistent with him or else mayhem will ensue!

wrench13 · Mar 7, 2020

Def the right moves. No excitement, just NO, and then chair back for a few min,with NO eye contact, just yur back to the parrot. I generally use like 2 minutes, 5 is a bit long for parrots with short attentioon span. They forget about the incident if you wait too long.

Salty used to nip my ear when I was on the phone too. Using that method cured him of it. He hates being ignored.

Was this the right thing to do?

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