Hello all!
Any advice is much needed. So I've had my first bird for 2 months now (a sun conure named Lola who is 4 months old) and she is just lovelyl! We are bonding wonderfully, she is a cuddly, sweet hand raised baby bird from a good breeder. She loves me and my boyfriend and has met and been friendly with our friends and some of our family. The only thing that aggravates me is I can't seem to get her to stop using her beak ("beaking") so hard on our skin. Sometimes she pinches I think just to try and get my attention too or move around. Mostly I think it's because she gets carried away trying to entertain herself or doesn't understand it hurts. But still, its too hard. Sometimes she gently preens or uses her beak to step up which is fine and some days are better than others with the nipping and beaking, but I want to get a handle on it while she is young so it doesn't get to be aggressive. So far I mostly say "NO" sharply and that gets her attention to stop then I stop giving her attention for a moment. Maybe it just takes time to work? Does anyone have any good advice for this type of behavior in young birds that are learning? PLEASE help! LOL my fingers are tired if being chewed.
Secondly, the other day for the first time she actually bit out of fear. My young nephew who is 6 was visiting and he wanted to hold her so I put Lola on his shoulder with a little fuss from her and she struck him really fast by his eye and let go fluttering off his shoulder. It didnt break the skin but it scared him pretty good and left a light mark. I was kind of shocked she did this as she has thus far been pretty easy going in new situations with new people. So I consoled him because he was crying and a minute later picked her up from off the bed and didnt reprimand her or anything just went on like nothing happened. I was kind of stunned and didn't know what to do...I didn't want to reinforce the behavior so I just did nothing. What should I have done? What should I do to discourage the behavior if she nips like this again? How should I react at that moment? Looking back, it probably could have been avoided and I shouldnt have placed her on his shoulder if she was protesting...I mean, right? I've read a couple parrot books but I can't seem to find a straight answer so any help your be appreciated.
Once again a big THANK YOU for any comments or advice.
Dani & Lola
Any advice is much needed. So I've had my first bird for 2 months now (a sun conure named Lola who is 4 months old) and she is just lovelyl! We are bonding wonderfully, she is a cuddly, sweet hand raised baby bird from a good breeder. She loves me and my boyfriend and has met and been friendly with our friends and some of our family. The only thing that aggravates me is I can't seem to get her to stop using her beak ("beaking") so hard on our skin. Sometimes she pinches I think just to try and get my attention too or move around. Mostly I think it's because she gets carried away trying to entertain herself or doesn't understand it hurts. But still, its too hard. Sometimes she gently preens or uses her beak to step up which is fine and some days are better than others with the nipping and beaking, but I want to get a handle on it while she is young so it doesn't get to be aggressive. So far I mostly say "NO" sharply and that gets her attention to stop then I stop giving her attention for a moment. Maybe it just takes time to work? Does anyone have any good advice for this type of behavior in young birds that are learning? PLEASE help! LOL my fingers are tired if being chewed.
Secondly, the other day for the first time she actually bit out of fear. My young nephew who is 6 was visiting and he wanted to hold her so I put Lola on his shoulder with a little fuss from her and she struck him really fast by his eye and let go fluttering off his shoulder. It didnt break the skin but it scared him pretty good and left a light mark. I was kind of shocked she did this as she has thus far been pretty easy going in new situations with new people. So I consoled him because he was crying and a minute later picked her up from off the bed and didnt reprimand her or anything just went on like nothing happened. I was kind of stunned and didn't know what to do...I didn't want to reinforce the behavior so I just did nothing. What should I have done? What should I do to discourage the behavior if she nips like this again? How should I react at that moment? Looking back, it probably could have been avoided and I shouldnt have placed her on his shoulder if she was protesting...I mean, right? I've read a couple parrot books but I can't seem to find a straight answer so any help your be appreciated.
Once again a big THANK YOU for any comments or advice.
Dani & Lola
