Ask Lafeber

Biting

I have been trying to tame and bond with verde the bonding doesn’t seem to be the issue rather it’s the biting that’s the problem. Before I thought that it was just okay but When I pay more attention to it whenever she sees my hand she runs up to it and tries to bite it, her feathers will fluff up or she will stretch her neck out and it makes he feathers look weird. I’m getting really discouraged I know it sounds pathetic but I cried I know right, over the fact that I can’t take her. I’ve tired everything her clipping appointment is not until another couple of days what do you think I should do? I I want is for her to perch on my hand and let me pet her or for me to chill out with me outside the cage in my room. Do you know how I can stop this problem?

Hi Morgan,

I’m so sorry this is causing you so much frustration. I know it hurts your feeling when Verde bites you. It’s very important to remember that she isn’t striking out against you, personally. She is reacting the way a lot of birds do to fingers or hands near their cage. Even the tamest bird can turn into a biter when she is in her cage. It’s her home, her territory, and your fingers are intruders. They just happen to be connected to you!

I am glad that you are going ahead with the wing clipping. I think you will find that Verde is calmer afterwards.  I know contact might be too limited due to Covid, but if possible, ask the bird groomer to show you some handling tips. Ask them to at least make sure that Verde knows she can’t fly – normally they will release a newly clipped bird low to the floor so the bird will try to fly and end up gliding down, rather than up.

When you get back home, you need to take advantage of her new limitations right away and start opening the cage door and trying to get her to come to your hand. If she is still in an open area on a balcony, you might need to move her. You don’t want her to slip off of the balcony and fall to the floor below.

If she continues to be aggressive while in her cage, you should try teaching her to step up on a perch or stick first. Then move her to your hand once you are away from her cage. I know I keep giving you things to read, but these articles offer great information and will help you. You can learn more about teaching her to step up on your finger or a perch on this page:

Teaching Your Bird

I have definitely sat down and cried over a bird when I first started out. One day I read an article by a wonderful bird behavior expert named Liz Wilson. Liz is no longer with us, but we still have many of her wonderful articles available to read. The article that changed my feelings was called “Don’t Take it Personally” and discussed when parrots bite or scream or do things to upset us, and how these are based on natural behavior and not directed at the owner, it’s just a fact of parrot ownership. When you have time, you might want to read some of Liz’s articles. We also have many other Avian Expert articles on our website.

https://lafeber.com/pet-birds/author/liz/

Take a break for a couple of days, and try handling Verde after she is clipped. I feel like this will help a lot and you two will have a breakthrough. Don’t give up!

Thanks for the update!

Brenda