How do I tell my parrot not to bite

isaacsampaul

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Jun 13, 2015
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I have been having a parrot for 7 months. Initially it was very good. I would always come to me and I would pet it or keep it in my shoulders. Then after some months the problem started...it started biting my ears. And each time it bit my ear I would put him down...as time went by it became more and more aggressive now it bites my in such a way that each time it bites... It will be so hard that blood will start to come out. Today it bit me so hard that I threw it away from me.....and I am feeling very guilty and sorry for it. Please help me with this issue guys[emoji22] [emoji22] uploadfromtaptalk1442460653838.jpg
 

Aquila

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What kind of bird? How old?

Birds use their beak as a tool, and they need to be taught that it hurts us. Putting them down on the floor immediately after a bite and breaking eye contact is a good place to start, but I need to know more about your bird.
 

ChrisWink

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You need to be more specific. What Tipe of parent do you have. Biting is a part of their nature and needs to be taught in a positive way. If they get a reaction from you it will become a fun game to them. First and foremost a parrot must earn the right to be on your shoulder! Never let them near your face or head until you know you can trust them to be there.

If you give us more information on your bird someone here that knows that species can help you.
 
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isaacsampaul

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Its an indian ringneck. I used to be always with me it never goes to anyone. So I let it go on my shoulders. Even now if some one comes new to home it runs towards me. But this biting really hurts. Initially I didn't do anything for the bites. Just told a firm no and left it on the ground. But as the biting kept on increasing I started to give a smack on his head( I feel very awefull after doing it). I didn't want to do it so searching for some advice
 

Mariar

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My severe macaw WAS a biter.i took advice from some other threads and by holding her beak and saying NO BITE she eventually stopped. Don't get me wrong my little girl loves it when I play with her beak and there are still times she gets me good.never never hit your bird again though. And birds bite ..didn't you know that already? Just trying to be funny but for real..hold her beak and say no bite and if she does happen to bite you hard..walk away from her ..no reaction.hope this helps..it worked for my little one.
 
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isaacsampaul

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My severe macaw WAS a biter.i took advice from some other threads and by holding her beak and saying NO BITE she eventually stopped. Don't get me wrong my little girl loves it when I play with her beak and there are still times she gets me good.never never hit your bird again though. And birds bite ..didn't you know that already? Just trying to be funny but for real..hold her beak and say no bite and if she does happen to bite you hard..walk away from her ..no reaction.hope this helps..it worked for my little one.
Will try and share the results...thanks
 

dhraiden

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Best of luck. Remember physical punishment is a negativity reinforcing cycle. Use isolation sparingly and, more especially, positive reinforcement of wanted behaviors (treats for being good and NOT biting), instead. Also practice being patient and not frustrated for your own sake, so you do not mistreat the bird.
 

Anansi

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Timeouts are also effective. If your bird bites you hard enough to draw blood, that should be an immediate timeout. And as ChrisWink pointed out, shoulder privileges must be earned. If your little guy is nippy, he shouldn't be up on your shoulder.

Always use a firm and even tone of voice when telling him no. Try not to yell, as they might find that amusing and seek to make you repeat the behavior. Remember, they font automatically understand what you mean when you yell. They learn through association. So work on having him/her associate bad behavior with timeouts.

I can see from your posts that you regret using physical punishment on your bird. I'd suggest that you prevent it from happening again by only working with him/her when you are not in a frustrated state of mind.

Oh, and one other thing. While you want to work on bite pressure training your bird, you should also carefully consider whether anything in the environment might be triggering the behavior. Any changes in the surroundings or even with you. New glasses? Different hair color? A hat? Cologne?

Also consider if it tends to happen whenever someone else walks into the room. If that's the case, it could be displacement biting.

Lastly, you should consider whether your bird has enough going on to keep his/her mind occupied. Training exercises can serve to bleed off some of that excess physical and mental energy so that they don't feel like bouncing off walls when sitting on your shoulder.

Please keep us updated.
 

Birdman666

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"NO BITING!" combine that phrase with a dirty look, and two fingers on the beak.

Captain obvious at your service...:D
 
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isaacsampaul

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I think my parrot hates my hand or fingers I guess so....it comes to me,gets on my hand and when I start to take my hand near to pet it. It starts to get angry and when I say no, it starts to bite me( I guess that's because I used to say no and when it does not obey me I give a smack on his head)...how do I make him trust my hand or fingers
 

JerseyWendy

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Jul 20, 2012
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Since you smacked your bird with your hands, it's quite understandable that he's afraid of them.

How about you start by offering treats with your hand. I'm afraid you will have to gain his trust again - and that may take a while.
 
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isaacsampaul

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I tried it...when it sees my hand it starts running or bites it and doesn't take the treat😭😭
 

Christinenc2000

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Since you smacked your bird with your hands, it's quite understandable that he's afraid of them.

How about you start by offering treats with your hand. I'm afraid you will have to gain his trust again - and that may take a while.

Lost relationship ? Never Just pay attention to what JerseyWendy said along with everyone else.

You break something you have to fix it . It all depends on if you want it bad enough to regain it no matter how long it takes.
 

Christinenc2000

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I tried it...when it sees my hand it starts running or bites it and doesn't take the treat😭😭

Think about it. If someone smacks you are you just going to run up and eat out of there hand . My guess is no. Take time regain the trust . And for God Sake take the advice offered in this thread. These people really really care .
 

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