Why does my bird keep biting me?

[BCStiglitz]

In the past two days she has started aggressively biting my finger while she is perched on it. Freaking out almost. What’s up with her and how do I fix this issue?

 

[Flboy]

Hi! This is my goto for biting issues!
http://www.parrotforums.com/training/57935-brainstorming-biting-parrots.html

Read, then reread!

 

[Ira7]

A lot of it depends on age and other particular factors. There’s not a one size fits all situation for this.

My 18-month Zon gets into this mode with me occasionally, but it could be motivated by happiness overload or he’s pissed off. Knowing my guy, I know it’s happiness overload, and these bites aren’t done in hostility.

That being said...and Amazons are easy to read...Archie’s are not fast, quick striking bites. More like chewing.

So do you think it’s more like overly anxious chewing, or attack bites?

There’s a big difference.

 

[ParrotGenie]

How long have you had the bird and did anything happen that the bird was scared of when the aggresive biting started?

 

[bug_n_flock]

Is your budgie somewhere roughly between the ages of 6 months and 18 months? I have had really tame friendly budgies do this right in this age range. Puberty. Little psychopaths, lol, if this is the case she should grow out of it. Don't react if you can avoid it. If she sits there and chews on you touch her tail and she will probably let go. When Fatty started doing this, I removed all of his "girlfriend" toys and I was way more aware of hormonal triggers. He calmed down and went back to his friendly usual self after a couple of painful and awful months.

 

[BCStiglitz]

I’ve had her for around 10 months now, so puberty might be the answer. It’s quick sharp bites, but it doesn’t hurt me at all. She seems territorial right now because it has turned into her not doing it on my finger but instead doing it when she perches up. She has been chirping a lot more and singing along a lot more when I whistle to her.

Here is another weird thing, she makes happy noises when she is biting me? Is she playing? The sick freak. The bird has been known to be a bully, she would mess with the other bird when she still lived with him a couple months ago before quarantine.

Hopefully this gives enough information.

 

[bug_n_flock]

Ah, I see... two further thoughts:



is she actually biting then or is she beak bopping? Sometimes they "angry beep" and beak bop as a sort of "personal space alarm". Usually it is not a hard line if you are gentle and the bird trusts you. Hima will set off her Hima alarm if she doesn't feel like being petted, scooted, or picked up, but she will not actually bite. Especially if you apologize and explain you are moving her for her own good, or if you decide it isn't a big deal and leave her be. We usually respect her Hima alarm wishes unles it is a safety thing.


Other budgie bop times it is while chattering, often accompanied by raised head or face feathers and a lot of dancing around or running back and forth and or head bobing. They often will rapidly invade personal space and leave it repeatedly. This is a friendly behavior if so. It can be done between friends, mates, between one and an inanimate object, etc. Most often done by males, but some females do it too. You sure you have a ladybird?

 

[BCStiglitz]

Delta actually bites me and leaves dents. It’s a weird behavior and I can’t understand it, because she didn’t do it at all today until just now and even then she bit my finger once and then climbed on. Once she was on, I whistled a lullaby I made her and she got up on one leg and puffed up too.

I’m 90% sure she is a girl indeed, her cere looks to either be a very light blue or white. Yet, I can’t remember if there is a better way of telling.

 

[bug_n_flock]

That does sound to me like a hen not in breeding condition. Can you post a photo?





Well, you got me stumped. LOL what a weirdo. As long as it doesn't hurt and she doesn't seem upset, I don't think I would worry too much if one of my budgies was a little bit extra psycho. Shrug. Lmao I've always said the #1 rule when it comes to birds is that: Birds are weird. If she wants to bite you to say she is happy to see you, well, okay then. Hahaha



Do you do or say anything before prwsenting your hand, finger, shoulder, whatever for her to climb aboard? In my flock I used to snap twice and then present a surface of some sort. I am moving away from this though, because my husband cannot snap(tee hee). Most of the birds have adapted, but Mr. Alex Bird still expects his double snap step up. Ah well, after 18 or so years he is set in his ways I suppose.


Could you try to catch a video of your cute little psycho in action? Maybe I would have a better idea if I could see what you meant specifically.