New macaw owner — he's a biter, help!

[taiyothemacaw]

Hi all! This is my first post.

I've been reading through some threads here, but I'm seeing a lot of mixed advice and I'm desperate for some (generally) clear-cut advice so I don't mess up training with my bird!

So less than a week ago (tomorrow is the 4th day of ownership), I've taken in a 9 month old B&G macaw. My history of parrots has consisted of budgies, conures, and cockatiels. Something I didn't realise was just how DIFFERENT macaws behave to my conures, who passed a couple years ago due to no fault of our own.

This macaw was unfortunately neglected in the sense that he has been cage bound for some time with his past owner who was unable to care for him due to disability reasons.

Taiyo, the name I've picked for him, is a smart bird who loves to get his way. Which is fine, but I don't want him to think he can dominate my family.

Day one: gave him lots of new treats (he hadn't tried fruit before), began target training, and taught him to step up by the end of the day. Initially he was very nervous to put both feet on my hand. Before he could step up, he was happy to hold hands through the cage and use his beak to gently probe the skin. He also allowed head scratches. After he learned step up, I brought him to the couch and set him down with me; he got excited and started rolling over while holding my hand, playing with me — but his bites while doing this were a little more rough and actually started to hurt.

Day two: Brought him out the cage, he stepped up, and I introduced him to his first shower and blowdry (he was unsure what to make of the spray but loved the blowdry. No scared or uncomfortable behaviours here). Took him onto my bed and we played again, also did some more target training. Realised he started to bite harder this day instead of the gentle probing from before. Bluff lunges while he's on the cage.

Day three: Bites are painful, no longer light pinches, but like he's genuinely trying to play with the bones under my skin. Also started to bluff lunge more. Gets mad when hands are above his head for about 1-2 seconds and then lets you scratch him (which he loves) <— this has been going on since day 1 too.

Things to note:
- bites are now hard and painful to endure but not drawing blood
At first, I was taught to tolerate the biting and not reward nor discipline it. I'm now hearing that I shouldn't have done that, and that he needs to be taught that biting is bad, rather than tolerated.

- he steps up beautifully when offered a treat, otherwise he'll ignore your offered arm and go straight to biting your hand.

- sometimes while petting his head, he'll make an annoyed noise and try and bite my fingers if I touch the skin of his cheek. He's just really obsessed with biting hands for some reason.

- he had zero toys in his old home, literally nothing to chew or destroy, so I've given him LOTS of toys and activities to enjoy, but the biting persists.


What can I do? I've heard about bite pressure training as well as negative bite enforcement. When he bites hard, should I react by saying NO, move him to an outside perch (like a chair) and ignore him for a few minutes? Or is there something else I should do?

Anything else I should be aware of? I don't force him to step up or anything like that, he's a free creature who can come to me when he pleases.

 

[wrench13]

Biting, whether intentional or not, just over preening your skin or actually taking chunks of meat out - all are PAINFULL! In the wild that sort of behavior is not tolerated by the flock. They ostracize flock members who continue to act like that. We call it 'Shunning'. This WILL work, but needs to be done correctly to get the message across and it needs to be done IMMEDIATELY so the parrot can associate the bite with the shunning action. And it needs to happen every time and with anyone involved with the parrot.

When the bite or over preening occurs:

• Say in a forceful but not shouting voice "No Bite" or other endearments.
• Immediately place the parrot on a nearby, handy chairback. NOT the cage (that would only teach the parrot to bite when he wants to go back to his cage).
• Turn your back to him and ignore him for 1 minute. No peeking, no talking about or too him, NADA. NO eye contact. No less or the message is lost, no more or the bird will not associate the action with the bite.
• After a minute you can try to re-establish contact.

Rinse, repeat as needed. Most parrots get the message after a few times, some may need more. Also very important - make sure the bite is not your fault. Annoying your parrot, asking him to step up when he is otherwise preoccupied with eating or playing, bothering him during known moody times like mating season, or ignoring the warnings and body language of your parrot - these are bites that you deserve! Learn, and be a better parront !!

 

[rheashard2]

Welcome. As above. Pay attention to what you are doing when biting occurs. Birds are territorial. Some more than others. Even agreeable will bite. Learn his body language. Then adjust what ever to suit. There's going to be a lot of opinions. Remember it's a basis meant to be adaptable for you both. Before you try shunning read it several times. First is to give you a idea. Second is to test your understanding. That will aid in your plans. You have to be strict with yourself too! This morning my 21 yo CAG who I have had since she was barely 4 months bit me. It was not hard enough to break the skin but it hurt. I did my shunning. I then had to do things to keep me away. She went through her most of her cute baby bird sounds and act to get my attention. I don't want her training me.

 

[HarleY 06]

Patience, Patience is more than ever needed now. Take all the advice that parrot owners give, and sift thru what won't work, as from what you have tried. How the macaw thinks isn't something a human suddenly knows about, your bird with its own character and traits was DNA wired at birth, and only changed by the situation of its husbantry.
I have six macaws and they all aspire to be a flock. It takes time, patience. You need a wider source of information from macaw owners - there are a few in this forum, find them - as what they have learnt will save you a lot of heartache, and replace a lot of your tribulations with pleasure