Mac bite

hi guys Kim posting soon I got bit 4 weeks ago and apple my GW:red: gave me a hairline fracture and it hurt a lot but it hurt my feelings more than anything because I thought we had the trust thing established and i didn't really see it coming. and I was wondering how to build my trust for him back up he still trusts me as far as I can tell I've picked him up and cuddled with him since then but I still am always pretty cautious around him what do I do to trust him again (I know this is the oppostie of most posts trying to get the bird to trust them lol) Help please ~ Kim

First step is figuring out WHY he bit you. Run it through your mind... Was he startled, being territorial, hormonal, overexcited from play, warning you of a "threat", etc? Once you figure out why he bit you can work on making sure it doesn't happen again.

hsb_birds said:

hi guys Kim posting soon I got bit 4 weeks ago and apple my GW:red: gave me a hairline fracture and it hurt a lot but it hurt my feelings more than anything because I thought we had the trust thing established and i didn't really see it coming. and I was wondering how to build my trust for him back up he still trusts me as far as I can tell I've picked him up and cuddled with him since then but I still am always pretty cautious around him what do I do to trust him again (I know this is the oppostie of most posts trying to get the bird to trust them lol) Help please ~ Kim

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Yowser, Kim! Sorry to hear Apple gave you a hairline fracture. What did he bite, your finger??

I can totally see why you'd be cautious around him, a bite like that isn't all that easy to push out of your mind now, is it? :54:

My philosophy actually is: ALWAYS be careful. As much as I trust my big macs, I generally do not allow them near my face. I'm the one giving THEM kisses on my terms, or asking for kisses on my terms. You just never know what could set them off, ya know.

Then there is bite pressure training. It goes a long way, however, there can still be moments where these big guys and gals get a tad bit carried away, and forget all about their own strength. :32:

Since you're already cuddling with Apple again, I think the 'worst' is over. I'd be more concerned if you said you didn't want to handle him anymore after that incident.

Ouch! I agree with Wendy- we always need to be cautious around our birds. As sweet, smart and loving as they are, at the end of the day, they're still wild animals. Be sure your familiar with macaw body language and watch Apple for those signs he is feeling aggressive, irritated or hormonal. Birds don't usually bite "without warning", we just sometimes miss the warning!

Ouch! As a general rule I'm more afraid of my sennies bite than my mac, but I've also never had a serious bite from her.

I agree with what has already been said, be careful and try to find what set her off.

hi he did get my ring finger on my right and and I had to put a splint on it and my cockatoos wouldn't go near me hahahah they freaked out like whats that on your hand ahhhhhh :O and I didn't notice the signs more than anything and he is usually a sweetheart and I'll kiss his skin patch on his face and he will lick my nose and then dance on my arm like a big goof ball he is very territorial of his cage and doesn't like coming out but once he does he loves being out

Ya, I can see the cockatoos freaking out over the splint, HAHAHHAH. I know mine throw a fit if I'm sporting a visible Band-Aid on any of my digits. :32:

hsb_birds said:

what do I do to trust him again (I know this is the oppostie of most posts trying to get the bird to trust them lol) Help please ~ Kim

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Kim - it just takes time. Try not to spend less time with him now than you did then. In time things will be good again. Good luck.

oh no I still spend loads of time with him for sure!he is still my baby and my fav (dont tell my other birds that ) and he lets me give him kisses still its just I am more hesitant when working with him

JerseyWendy said:

Ya, I can see the cockatoos freaking out over the splint, HAHAHHAH. I know mine throw a fit if I'm sporting a visible Band-Aid on any of my digits. :32:

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oh yes they frrrrrreeeaked out like it was a thing on my finger that was going to kill them silly birds

I think in time you will be fine. It's like driving again after you've had an accident. It just takes time to feel confident again. Isn't today better than four weeks ago?

Dopey said:

I think in time you will be fine. It's like driving again after you've had an accident. It just takes time to feel confident again. Isn't today better than four weeks ago?

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yes loads better hahaah hes actually here in the office with me chilling :red:

First off, good job kind of getting back on the horse, so to speak. After a hard bite like that, it must be difficult not to get discouraged. As Wendy pointed out, in spending time with him again you've already taken the biggest step.

Now, you mentioned that he was cage territorial. Did the bite happen around his cage? Maybe in the process of putting him in or taking him out?

It was probably a one time thing. Do a little reinforcement on bite pressure training... and just let it go.

The worst thing you can do is fall into the pattern of owner becomes afraid of bird, bird reacts to fear, owner suddenly is dealing with issue bird, bird gets locked up and becomes angry... that familiar downward spiral.

I've had two sets of stitches from macaws in around 20 years of handling them for hours at a time, daily. Including super aggressive, not well trained ones...

And both of those were MY fault for not paying attention.

Those are pretty good odds... and odds are your bird never intended to hurt you.

There have been times when playing with Maggie, she's bent my thumb in a direction God never intended it to go. She could easily accidentally break it doing that, but I'm certainly not going to stop playing with my lap bird.

So, just be aware.... and don't let it stop you from interacting normally.

Anansi said:

First off, good job kind of getting back on the horse, so to speak. After a hard bite like that, it must be difficult not to get discouraged. As Wendy pointed out, in spending time with him again you've already taken the biggest step.

Now, you mentioned that he was cage territorial. Did the bite happen around his cage? Maybe in the process of putting him in or taking him out?

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no he was out of his cage already and he was on his perch and I tried to pick him up to play before our show and he didn't want to and I wanted him to and so he told me no with a bite lol it was my fault looking back now but cant change the past just move forward :red: