playing?

[Oliver17]

Garth my green cheek loves to play on his back.
I have no problem with that. my beef is he bites me while on his back
what is a good solution to this small problem?
thank you ahead of time

 

[noodles123]

Don't try to touch him when he's on his back lol!

You could also try using "mutually incompatible" behaviors (e.g., he can't bite you with a toy in his mouth--- but I worry about choking).


Target training would allow you to get him off his back without having to touch him during that time. He goes to target and he is no longer on his back.



Sometimes birds just don't want to be touched-- so it could be that he is worried you will ruin his fun by taking him off his back , it could be a fear response (as that is vulnerable), or it could be that he is trying to use his beak like a hand (but that is very unlikely in an adult bird who already knows what their beak can do).

 

[SailBoat]

As stated so very well above, let his play while on his back. He's happy, let him be! If you need to move him (emergency) try a hand held perch.

Never did understand Human's wanting to end a Parrot's happy time.

 

[Oliver17]

He is nine Months old, could he be playing? using his beak as a third hand?
he cradles in my hand or in the elbow part of my arm and just flips over like he wants to play
so this is unwanted behavior?
Thank you

 

[SailBoat]

Nope, Just old fashion playing. My 23 year old Amazon loves to play. Nothing like seeing 500 grams hanging upside down taking on a tube style bell with gusto.

 

[wrench13]

Conures and caiques are well known for playing with stuff while on their back. Salty even does it once in awhile, playing with a whiffle ball, even tho amazons are not noted for doing that. Each parrot is it's own bird. Let him play.

 

[Oliver17]

Do I give him a item to play with? suggestions? He has a jingle ball but always throws it away, LOL

 

[wrench13]

Conures will play with just about anything. Lil whiffle balls, small foot toys, bottle caps, a ball of tissue paper, a toothbrush, the list is endless. As long as iits non toxic material.

 

[gschuetz]

Mango, our Pineapple, flips over when we place him in his cage as we are getting ready to leave. Sometimes if we don't leave right away he puts his head in his food dish and scoots the food around.

Is he playing when he flips and with the food? Or is it a tantrum? Opening the cage gets him to come right to us.