...I hope I'm not kicked off here for saying this, but sometimes you just need to take a bite with a new young bird and not flinch. Birds love to cuddle and they want to be petted on the head, in my experience petting their head is how you make friends.
Kicked off for respectfully expressing an opinion? Nah. That's just not how we roll. Opinions are respected and valued here, so keep them coming.
Now, I do disagree with a point or two, here. First, the idea of just taking a bite without flinching. This is an idea that has gained in popularity over the years, and I just don't understand why. This is an example that I use often: If a one or two year old toddler decided to just spontaneously smack you in the face, would you allow it? Or would you course-correct and teach him that it's not an acceptable method? Because the fact of the matter is that the child
doesn't know any better. And he/she won't until you teach a better way to express emotions. Same deal with a parrot. While you cannot make an exact correlation between children and birds, there is common ground in that you need to establish guidelines with both regarding what is or isn't acceptable.
Of course, there is something to be said for not going into hysterics or wailing in agony when bitten by a bird, as they may not properly interpret your sounds and actions. Heck, they might even find them amusing and engage the scientific approach of testing a hypothesis in an attempt to repeat the result. (i.e. biting you again to hear that funny yelping sound.) So instead you would tell them "No" in a firm yet controlled voice, while using your other hand to remove the bird's beak from your flesh. And then good behaviors that do not result in bloodshed would be rewarded with enthusiastically voiced praise and tasty treats.
Here are some links to threads on biting:
http://www.parrotforums.com/questions-answers/58911-bird-bites-always-2.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/63988-bite-pressure-training.html
Oh, and it's also important to note that not all birds like to be petted and cuddled. Some merely tolerate it for us, and some even hate it. Macaws and conures are more likely, for instance, to crave petting and cuddling than say an eclectus or a grey. My ekkies do enjoy being petted, but not in that feathered puppy way that some macs do. Know what I mean? You have to get to know your individual bird's likes and dislikes.
clark_conure said:
Soft voice, you're coming out, pick him up from the back gently then hold him to your sternum, wear a thick shirt he can't bite through. Keep holding him to you and pet his head with your thumb for a while till he calms down and realizes your petting him, not a predator. Then keep it going for a while, not 5 minutes and back in, set something in his memory that you are looking to preen him and pet him and take care of him.
The technique you are referring to here is known as flooding. Basically, inundating the bird with a new experience until he gives up resistance and comes to realize that he is not actually being hurt by the process. Whether or not to use this method is a hotly debated one amongst keepers of parrots. Personally, I choose positive reinforcement training instead. I'm not denying the efficacy of flooding, as many have used it to great effect, but I prefer getting my birds to want to do what I'm asking via positive associations. I like the idea of organically building a bond of mutual trust that way over forcing any aspect of it. Here is a link to one of my favorite threads, which discusses the differences in training techniques in great detail:
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/43631-old-vs-modern-techniques.html
clark_conure said:
Basically it's the Ceasar Milan Method with dogs, (the dog whisperer). Confidence in yourself projects. The bird doesn't want to be afraid of you...it just has no idea what your intentions are. There can't be any half measures. No load noises or OUCHES!, just pet him and talk to him and no unpredictable movements. I think the problem from the beginning is your afraid of the bird, and the bird has no idea what you are doing and is picking up on your fear...
I agree wholeheartedly with the necessity for confidence and predictable movements when interacting with birds. Birds do a lot of communication via body language, and simply don't understand that we humans are far less proficient at it than they are. So, if their body language indicates no hostile intent and you respond with a more tense and nervous energy, your reaction is very likely to put them on edge. They bite when you approach with fear because, to them, you are not evoking a sense of peaceful intent. You're amped up, and "telling" them there is reason to be afraid.
I recently purchased a 2 1/2 month old IRN green female. I bought her from a breeder. She was hand fed but Omg she's soooo scared of me,my hand everything. It breaks my heart to see her this way. I have been doing alot of reading. I know I have to give her time to gain my trust. But I was wondering with no physical contact will she become wilder? I was told by the breeder to take her out the cage often. But after doing so it REALLY made things worse. Man oh man was that a mistake. How do I regain her trust?? HELP
