Help! New bird owner

[Tanya1069]

I acquired zazu because her owner had to be put in a home. Zazu is 32 year old goffin cockatoo and was never allowed out of her cage and fed only seed. I let her out everyday, and I started her on fruits and vegetables. Which she loves ❤️. But how do I get her to stop snatching things from me? I can't give her anything small because I may be bitten. She loves head scratches and has become quite fond of me but does still nip every so often. Help!

 

[zERo]

Welcome to the forums!

My green cheek will bite my finger tips when I give him a treat sometimes, especially when he’s too stimulated. When handing a parrot a treat, you hold it just in their reach, so, all they can physically grab is the treat. They can’t bite if the upper and lower mandible can’t connect.

 

[onamom]

Welcome to the forums!

Does she tend to nip only when you are handing her treats or does it happen at other times too?

I know there are certain treats I can't hand my GCC - carrots for example - because she just gets excited and territorial over them. I give them to her on a stainless steel skewer.

Do you have a word or phrase you use consistently with her every time she nips? I try to teach my GCC the word "gentle" and say it to her whenever she nips.

 

[Vampiric_Conure]

I've heard good things about training a parrot to spoon feed when offering treats. I've never tried it, but I've heard it helps prevent nips.

Anyone have more information on this?

 

[Tanya1069]

Welcome to the forums!

My green cheek will bite my finger tips when I give him a treat sometimes, especially when he’s too stimulated. When handing a parrot a treat, you hold it just in their reach, so, all they can physically grab is the treat. They can’t bite if the upper and lower mandible can’t connect.

I'm definitely going to try this. Thank you

 

[Tanya1069]

Welcome to the forums!

Does she tend to nip only when you are handing her treats or does it happen at other times too?

I know there are certain treats I can't hand my GCC - carrots for example - because she just gets excited and territorial over them. I give them to her on a stainless steel skewer.

Do you have a word or phrase you use consistently with her every time she nips? I try to teach my GCC the word "gentle" and say it to her whenever she nips.

Unfortunately, you never know when she is going to bite. I don't hold her because I can't keep her on my forearm. She immediately runs to my shoulder. And I don't trust her that close to my face. Using "step up" sticks doesn't work. If you approach her with any object she freaks out. She definitely does know "up" tho.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Unfortunately, you never know when she is going to bite. I don't hold her because I can't keep her on my forearm. She immediately runs to my shoulder. And I don't trust her that close to my face. Using "step up" sticks doesn't work. If you approach her with any object she freaks out. She definitely does know "up" tho.

Wear a hoodie when playing with her. If she runs up your arm to your shoulder at least she won't be able to bite your ears or the sides of your face.

 

[TheofficialParakeet]

unfortunately, if your talking about toys and everyday items, that is a cockatoo thing. If you are talking about treats when training, try target and clicker training

 

[Tanya1069]

Wear a hoodie when playing with her. If she runs up your arm to your shoulder at least she won't be able to bite your ears or the sides of your face.

Ok...so I tried the hoodie lol. She hates it and took it off my head! Lol.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Ok...so I tried the hoodie lol. She hates it and took it off my head! Lol.

Tie the string around your head. You can't let your bird injure you.

 

[Tanya1069]

Tie the string around your head. You can't let your bird injure you.

I'm pretty sure if I tied it, she just would have had a fit. I just don't hold her. She's fine with just being on her cage. She won't even get on the floor. The woman who owned her previously never let her out of her cage. Ever. And she's 32 years old. From what I understand, goffins only live to about 30 or 40.....

 

[ShellyL]

I'm pretty sure if I tied it, she just would have had a fit. I just don't hold her. She's fine with just being on her cage. She won't even get on the floor. The woman who owned her previously never let her out of her cage. Ever. And she's 32 years old. From what I understand, goffins only live to about 30 or 40.....

Will she go on a playstand? She may be “fine” with just being on her cage but her life will be richer and more fulfilling if she realizes there is a safe/interesting world beyond the cage - and that she can be a part of it.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Will she go on a playstand? She may be “fine” with just being on her cage but her life will be richer and more fulfilling if she realizes there is a safe/interesting world beyond the cage - and that she can be a part of it.

Her new life is certainly an improvement. I couldn't get my Goffin to sit on a t-stand. She would jump to the floor immediately, run over and try to climb all over me begging for cuddles and would bite me if I tired of it. It got real old. I wouldn't let her on my shoulder because she was too unpredictable and I liked my face unscarred.