Hi all, my mango has been with us nearly 3 weeks and he’s gone from being quite shy but letting us stroke him to really aggressive biting. I really don’t know what to do as I feel I can’t get to really bond with him as all he does is bite! Does anyone have any advice please?
My new biting mango!
- Thread starter Mango2019
- Start date
If you were 'stroking him' along his full body, head to tail, that's a big no-bo in the parrot world. The only petting should be on the head and neck only, anything below that can and will sexually stimulate them, making them very confused about their desires towards humans.
It's also important as parrot owners to read body language. Just like people who don't want to interact with others, parrots have times where they simply want to be left alone, not touched and not stroked. Its our job to pick up on these signals -- the running away from you when approaching, the lunging, possible hissing and overall biting behavior -- it means BACK OFF!
So, are you ignoring his signals he is giving you? Is there any reason you can't leave him be and enjoy his company while letting him sit by himself?
It's important to remember too, parrots are not like dogs and cats that want to cuddle all the time. Only 1 of my 4 birds allows pets, and even then he only allows it sometimes! When he tries to lunge or backs away from me, I know its him telling me not now mom, leave me be. And so I do. We still have a close bond without having to interact constantly.
You can build your trust bond with your bird without forcing him to accept your stroking. You can offer treats as rewards for good behavior. Walk by him sitting peacefully, offer a treat, say a few words to him and leave. Make sure only good things happen when you are around. Have him step up, offer a treat. Let him hang out by himself, offer a treat.
I believe with respecting his space as a parrot and listening to those body language signals, building your bond with treats and patience, you will be on your way to curbing Mango's biting behavior.
It's also important as parrot owners to read body language. Just like people who don't want to interact with others, parrots have times where they simply want to be left alone, not touched and not stroked. Its our job to pick up on these signals -- the running away from you when approaching, the lunging, possible hissing and overall biting behavior -- it means BACK OFF!
So, are you ignoring his signals he is giving you? Is there any reason you can't leave him be and enjoy his company while letting him sit by himself?
It's important to remember too, parrots are not like dogs and cats that want to cuddle all the time. Only 1 of my 4 birds allows pets, and even then he only allows it sometimes! When he tries to lunge or backs away from me, I know its him telling me not now mom, leave me be. And so I do. We still have a close bond without having to interact constantly.
You can build your trust bond with your bird without forcing him to accept your stroking. You can offer treats as rewards for good behavior. Walk by him sitting peacefully, offer a treat, say a few words to him and leave. Make sure only good things happen when you are around. Have him step up, offer a treat. Let him hang out by himself, offer a treat.
I believe with respecting his space as a parrot and listening to those body language signals, building your bond with treats and patience, you will be on your way to curbing Mango's biting behavior.
18WheelsOfSteel
New member
- Jun 26, 2019
- 236
- 80
- Parrots
- 2 Budgies
"Southern Belle" a blue female
"Beau Dandy" a green male
Where exactly are you stroking him? Mango may be mistaking what you consider innocent affection as an offer to mate, and getting annoyed with the fact that you aren't on the same page, I believe we have a guide on here about taming and building trust, those are excellent resources to start with, I'm sure others with your specific breed will chime in soon, also possible are sleep deprivation, diet and generally age, birds going through puberty can be just as unpredictable as humans at times
- Thread starter
- #4
Hi all. Thanks for the replies. I do stroke him on the head as he don’t let me get near him anywhere else, just to try and get him out the cage onto his stand seems such a big job. I’m glad this forum exits as it’s learning me so much. He’s not making any noise either which worries me. I’ve only heard him twice in 3 weeks
AmyMyBlueFront
Well-known member
- Apr 14, 2015
- 6,315
- 3,034
- Parrots
- Amy a Blue Front 'Zon
Jonesy a Goffins 'Too who had to be rehomed :-(
And a Normal Grey Cockatiel named BB who came home with me on 5/20/2016.
Don't forget that Mango is in an entirely new environment,his world was kind of turned all cattiwumpus 
If he is also a youngster he might not of even found his "voice" yet. BB was just 4.5 months old when he came home with me and only made an occasional chirp or tweet. Now 3.5 years later I can't shut him up :18: :07: Give Mango some time!
Jim
If he is also a youngster he might not of even found his "voice" yet. BB was just 4.5 months old when he came home with me and only made an occasional chirp or tweet. Now 3.5 years later I can't shut him up :18: :07: Give Mango some time!Jim
Betrisher
Well-known member
- Jun 3, 2013
- 4,253
- 180
- Parrots
- Dominic: Galah(RIP: 1981-2018); The Lovies: Four Blue Masked Lovebirds; Barney and Madge (The Beaks): Alexandrines; Miss Rosetta Stone: Little Corella
While there are certainly some Alexandrines who enjoy stroking and touching, most don't seem to. I've had my pair for seven years and they *love* me to bits - but if I reach to touch them, they will bite me!
If your bird has begun biting, you have to act to stop it RIGHT NOW, or it could become a problem. That big red bill can do a lot of damage and I have the scars to prove it.
Firstly, watch your bird carefully and respect his wishes. If he doesn't want to be touched or step up, then don't force him. Instead, offer a treat/bribe and ask him nicely to step up. If he obeys, give the treat, wait a moment and put him down again. Do this a couple of times and then leave it on a positive note. Don't spend any longer than five minutes doing 'teachy' things with a young bird. He'll lose focus pretty quickly and get cross, then you'll have lost whatever progress you'd made.
Consider target training (search in our forums for instructions or check YouTube). It's a really useful tool as it enables you to put your bird exactly where you want him to be with no-mess no-fuss. Additionally, it allows your bird to do good things and get rewards. This is all positive and builds trust and good behaviour.
Finally, if the biting is *really* bad to the point where your flesh is at risk, always carry a chopstick when you approach your bird. If he lunges at you, let him bite the stick (the theory being that if his bill is full of stick, your flesh is safe). If you offer your hand to step him up, make sure you offer the back of your tightly closed fist. That way, he can't get enough purchase on you to actually bite. You'll learn really quickly how to turn and position your hand so the bill can't grab it! LOL!
Don't be dismayed by your youngster doing these annoying things, but also don't let them continue. Take action now and your bird will benefit by becoming a great companion. If you don't fix the biting, he could become a vicious biter and not be wanted by anyone. So stay calm and go about his training quietly and systematically. Don't yell or screech at him if he bites you (do your owching on the inside) and certainly don't punish him physically. That will only make things worse. Giving him something to do (ie. teaching him to target or to perform small tricks) will occupy his mind and, hopefully, help him forget to bite.
Do stay in touch and keep us updated! We always like to hear how these things turn out and are always happy to help!
If your bird has begun biting, you have to act to stop it RIGHT NOW, or it could become a problem. That big red bill can do a lot of damage and I have the scars to prove it.
Firstly, watch your bird carefully and respect his wishes. If he doesn't want to be touched or step up, then don't force him. Instead, offer a treat/bribe and ask him nicely to step up. If he obeys, give the treat, wait a moment and put him down again. Do this a couple of times and then leave it on a positive note. Don't spend any longer than five minutes doing 'teachy' things with a young bird. He'll lose focus pretty quickly and get cross, then you'll have lost whatever progress you'd made.
Consider target training (search in our forums for instructions or check YouTube). It's a really useful tool as it enables you to put your bird exactly where you want him to be with no-mess no-fuss. Additionally, it allows your bird to do good things and get rewards. This is all positive and builds trust and good behaviour.
Finally, if the biting is *really* bad to the point where your flesh is at risk, always carry a chopstick when you approach your bird. If he lunges at you, let him bite the stick (the theory being that if his bill is full of stick, your flesh is safe). If you offer your hand to step him up, make sure you offer the back of your tightly closed fist. That way, he can't get enough purchase on you to actually bite. You'll learn really quickly how to turn and position your hand so the bill can't grab it! LOL!
Don't be dismayed by your youngster doing these annoying things, but also don't let them continue. Take action now and your bird will benefit by becoming a great companion. If you don't fix the biting, he could become a vicious biter and not be wanted by anyone. So stay calm and go about his training quietly and systematically. Don't yell or screech at him if he bites you (do your owching on the inside) and certainly don't punish him physically. That will only make things worse. Giving him something to do (ie. teaching him to target or to perform small tricks) will occupy his mind and, hopefully, help him forget to bite.
Do stay in touch and keep us updated! We always like to hear how these things turn out and are always happy to help!
I find this article good wether you are new to keeping parrots, it have had them for a while.
I recently had some flock problems, and instead of thinking I knew what was going on, I took time to do observations, and found I had other issues than I thought....
I hope you enjoy it, and find some pointers too.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/
I recently had some flock problems, and instead of thinking I knew what was going on, I took time to do observations, and found I had other issues than I thought....
I hope you enjoy it, and find some pointers too.
https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/stress-reduction-for-parrot-companions/
18WheelsOfSteel
New member
- Jun 26, 2019
- 236
- 80
- Parrots
- 2 Budgies
"Southern Belle" a blue female
"Beau Dandy" a green male
Awesome article, thanks for posting, I'm feeling a bit singled out though, parrots are afraid of baldness, and of hats? Good God almighty I can't win for losing!
Lol! Only if they haven't seen before. Mine are afraid if hats, I ask everyone to remove before talking to the birds . Or they flap around screeching...
But my rescue Penny hated my long hair at first! If I wore it down she would bite me..
Most Reactions
-
659 -
546 -
518 -
207 -
197 -
196 -
192 -
150 -
148 -
137 -
134 -
118 -
81 -
J
72
-
72
