Playing or Aggression?

[kc_y0]

Hey guys, its been a while since I posted, I have been without a computer for a while! I hope that every one is well!

I just had a question about Audrey, sometimes she gets very carried away when playing with my fingers, and she will bite down on them very hard, and she will even use a foot to hold them in place and I wont be able to pull my finger away. She doesn't break the skin, but regardless it can be a very painful bite. If I make a loud sound "Ouch" or a squeak she will immediately let go. She will kind of pounce on my fingers and shake her tail feathers at times but rarely any fluffiness off the feathers unless she gets REALLY Carried away. I just wanted to know, is she playing rough or does this sound aggressive? I don't want to encourage aggressive behavior in her. Thanks guys

 

[kc_y0]

Oh and since its been a while I thought I would add a recent photo

 

[wenz2712]

Audrey is still as beautiful as ever

 

[Pedro]

Hey guys, its been a while since I posted, I have been without a computer for a while! I hope that every one is well!

I just had a question about Audrey, sometimes she gets very carried away when playing with my fingers, and she will bite down on them very hard, and she will even use a foot to hold them in place and I wont be able to pull my finger away. She doesn't break the skin, but regardless it can be a very painful bite. If I make a loud sound "Ouch" or a squeak she will immediately let go. She will kind of pounce on my fingers and shake her tail feathers at times but rarely any fluffiness off the feathers unless she gets REALLY Carried away. I just wanted to know, is she playing rough or does this sound aggressive? I don't want to encourage aggressive behavior in her. Thanks guys

Instead of saying "ouch" what i do with my eclectus is let them hold my finger in their mouth & the minute i feel any pressure i tell them "NO, don't bite me." or "You know that's not nice be gentle". Works every time, the thing is i never scold them so now we play this silly game called Don't you bite, that's not nice. I t must be a great game because they all say it as well.LOL. These guys work very well with drama. You can work the drama to your advantage.

 

[kc_y0]

Thank you, she is my pretty girl hehe!!

Okay thanks Pedro, I will try "No biting!" instead of ouch haha! I usually say it to her if she takes a nip at me other times!

 

[antoinette]

Such a lovely picture of Audrey
Thanks for sharing
Great advise from Pedro

 

[mtdoramike]

This can be a sign of aggression or a game. My Eclectus will hold your finger for awhile then before you know it, he has reached down with his beak and bit you. Most of the time not breaking the skin. But he has broken the skin with my wife though.

When we first got him, he was notorious for doing this and then after he bit my finger or hand, he would yank his head back and scream OUCH! and then say "don't bite". Well, it didn't take more than a couple of times before this little game got old quick. It seems the previous owners played this game with him I found out later.

I broke him of this quick fast and in a hurry. When ever he would go to bite my hand or finger, I would forcefully push my finger or hand towards him, putting him off balance while saying in a loud stern voice NO. He decided that he no longer liked playing that game when he wasn't getting the desired reaction that he was hoping for.

Now we have replaced that aggressive game to a more pleasant game for both of us and that is Peek a boo. I carry a towel around with me most of the time so when Mac is sitting with me, I will throw the towel over my face and then he will have to grab the towel with his beak and pull it off my face. When he does this, I shout out Peek a boo, I see you. I will also throw the towel over Mac and do the same thing.

So now his big thing is all day long and I mean all day long, he walks around the house saying "Peek a boo, I see you". It sounds really cute until you've heard it for the umpteen thousandth time. My wife really thanks me every day for that little nugget. But I look at it this way, would you rather be bitten or have to listen to Peek a boo constantly. Sometimes it's questionable, with the bite, it's over quickly.

 

[kc_y0]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I dont mind the bites IF she is playing, they dont break the skin and she does know when to stop! Peek a boo is so cute hahaha I play it with Audrey, I hide behind things and she runs out from behind them to find me lol! Audrey doesn't speak yet anyway, She says "Mwah" as in the kiss but thats about all