When you play with your parrot do they try to bite you?

Boniface

New member
Nov 3, 2014
43
0
So I try to play with my 8-9 month old senegal Patrick after work every day. I hold one of his toys in outstretched arm and jingle it. Usually this is a ball or something and he tries to bite me instead of the toy.
Is this normal behaviour or is he just being aggressive?

How do you all play with your parrots?
 

Roanoke

Member
Oct 30, 2014
195
2
Greenville, SC
Parrots
Teeko, GCC [Baby Amazon ETA: August 25th]
I used to try and roughhouse with Teeko but he always got excited and bit me.
We've been working on bite pressure training so I might try again soon...

For peaceful playing, we do the "I-drop-this-you-pick-it-up" game, usually with a bottle cap or plastic spool. I also like tug of war with a tissue.

Can't wait to hear how everybody else plays with their birds. I'm pretty bad at it.
 

veimar

New member
Feb 5, 2014
1,150
4
Chicago, IL
Parrots
gcc Parry; lovebird Coco; 3 budgies (Tesla, Franky and Cesar); cockatiel Murzik, red rump parakeet girl Onyx
Yes, of course! You just have to pressure train them! :) My lovebird loves to play with my fingers - she "preens" them and holds in her beak very gently. My gcc is a bit more rough, but he is trained not to hurt. The hardest biter right now is my new rescued budgie - he loves rough play and bites very hard for a budgie. I never thought I would have to pressure train a budgie. LOL :D
 

veimar

New member
Feb 5, 2014
1,150
4
Chicago, IL
Parrots
gcc Parry; lovebird Coco; 3 budgies (Tesla, Franky and Cesar); cockatiel Murzik, red rump parakeet girl Onyx
How do you pressure train?

I never had to train my lovie - she is gentleness itself! :) With my gcc I made a suffering angry face, looked in his eyes, and scolded him every time he bit too hard (he has never broken the skin though). The point is that your bird loves you and doesn't want to hurt you, so you just let him/her know that you don't like what he/she is doing. They are very observant of your facial expressions and the voice tone. Just make sure you don't scream - they think raising your voice is an appreciation. :)
 

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