Obsessed with biting clothing

[jwebber]

Echo is a 22yo Eclectus male that I adopted about 5 months ago. He has plucked his feathers for the last 18 years (as reported by his past owner). When I got him, he did not play with any toys. He had toys in his cage, but he ignored them. I bought new toys, he ignored them too. I started experimenting in order to discover something he might play with/ chew on so he would stop plucking his feathers. Anyway, I succeeded in discovering he liked to chew socks. Well, I was very excited.

Well, I have created a monster and I don't know how to get him to stop. Now he likes all fabric especially shirts that people are wearing. If I hold him, or even walk too close to his perch he reaches out to chew on my clothes. Its not the chewing that bothers me as much as that he nips you through the clothing and that hurts.

I tell him no. I try to remove him from my hand, leg, shoulder, etc. But he holds on and will not let go. We end up in a bit of a scuffle before I finally get him off. I try to put him back on his perch or in his cage and he will not go. I end up having to bribe hime.

Anyway, this is my first parrot and I don't know what to do. Thanks, JWebber

 

[MonicaMc]

Have you tried teaching him how to forage? This may be a better way to keep him preoccupied and perhaps teach him how to play with toys as well.

You can also teach him to target on toys and maybe even to play with toys via clicker training.

 

[friedsoup]

This is why you don't buy a puppy a toy that looks like a shoe cause if one shoe is ok to chew all shoes are fair game. Start with cloth tied to rope toys or ribbons tied to popsicle sticks anything that starts with cloth and ends with something you want them to chew. Lesson learned don't start a habit you don't want Now if I can just get Bogart to stop chewing holes in the shoulder of my shirts when he wants a scratch and I don't do it fast enough. LOL We all learn the hard way.

 

[cnyguy]

Have you ever tried showing Echo how to play with his other toys? It often works if you play with the toys while your parrot watches, and act like you're having the most fun ever. Most parrots will want to join in the fun sooner or later, and will usually play with the toys independently after they get used to them.

 

[WannaBeAParrot]

cnyguy and friedsoup nailed it on the head. i would also say to try toys that are distracting in more than one way, i.e. that make noise, ball with bell inside, or all different shapes on a chain with bells somewhere, crinkling up paper into a little tight ball and let him watch it slowly expand, linking some dull edge metal cookie cutters that'll make low dingling noise. Play soothing music for him like chants or mediation sounds. Some other stimuli for senses other than beak-related. Look around on a good bird supply website for interesting type of toys he's never used or seen. Foraging, as mentioned in another post, is a great idea. You can make your own foraging pkgs. Instructions easy to find in online searches.

 

[Conuregirl]

you could start wearing ladies shoulder pads for your bird lol! my nanday does this, too. i permit him on my shoulder only when i am wearing clothes that are ok for him to chew. i never wear my work or going out clothes with him. my bird doesn't pinch my skin, though.

 

[cdnbirdlover]

I'd rather my lovie bit my clothing instead of searching for my exposed neck skin to nip. Not sure how to make him stop that. I'm just happy that he's started coming to me to sit on my shoulder. But ouch!

 

[Pedro]

Some great ideas for a chewy bird. Take note of the cotton mop head idea.
May help your situation.

Foraging for Birds: Easy & Cheap