| Attack Bird! - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Mike Marchand |
I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
someone could help me out!
He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto my
finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds, then
look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to play
or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step off
my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set him
down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While he's
riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and chomp
down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere he
can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds on
and doesn't want to let go!
I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to enjoy
it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in the
cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being bad.
Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
painful (especially to my wife!)
Thanks!
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| Alex Clayton |
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
> someone could help me out!
>
> He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
my
> finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
> having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
> After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds, then
> look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
> seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
play
> or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step off
> my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
him
> down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While he's
> riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and chomp
> down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere he
> can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
on
> and doesn't want to let go!
>
> I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to enjoy
> it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
> firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
> shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
the
> cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
bad.
>
> Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
> Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> painful (especially to my wife!)
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
It's hard to say for sure without seeing it but it sounds like he may be
playing. Birds "play" with their beak. When they do it with each other, and
they get too rough, the other bird lets them know. You have to do the same
thing, until they get the idea. It often takes some time. If he is willing
to step up, and actually wants to be with you it does not sound like a bite
out of fear or anger.
--
"Things get better with age, I'm approaching magnificent"!
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| NewsUser |
I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
behavior.
My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all your
shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and you've
had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours. And
it can get far worse than this....
Seriously.
Karen
> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
> > someone could help me out!
> >
> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
> my
> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
then
> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
> play
> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step
off
> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
> him
> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
he's
> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
chomp
> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere
he
> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
> on
> > and doesn't want to let go!
> >
> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
enjoy
> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
> the
> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
> bad.
> >
> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> > painful (especially to my wife!)
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> >
>
>
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| Mr. J |
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
> someone could help me out!
>
> He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
my
> finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
> having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
> After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds, then
> look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
> seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
play
> or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step off
> my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
him
> down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While he's
> riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and chomp
> down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere he
> can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
on
> and doesn't want to let go!
>
> I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to enjoy
> it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
> firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
> shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
the
> cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
bad.
>
> Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
> Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> painful (especially to my wife!)
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
You doing a great job of encouraging this behavior. Ignore him when he
bites. If he gets no reaction from you, he'll stop trying.
--
*MrJ*
Do something about 'your.attitude'
to reply via e-mail.
|
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| Loren Coe |
In article <vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com>, NewsUser wrote:
> I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
> behavior.
>
> My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
> stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all your
> shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and you've
> had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
> bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
> range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours. And
> it can get far worse than this.... > > Seriously. > > Karen
what she said(!). Karen describes pretty much the chain of events
during the 12mos i had a juvenile Quaker. a loveable little monster
that could wake the dead. i managed to control his playful biting,
tho he could surprise you if you were not careful about approaching him
when he was not asking to be picked up. this would be in or on his
cage.
wrt to your request, the method i used was simply to keep a very
close eye on him when handling, and read the "Quaker" book. discourage
biting with a "no" before he actually bites and putting him back _in_
the cage when he does. that _does_ work, eventually. i also yelled,
ouch! something not recommended, and i would show him any blood he
drew and make a big deal out of it. he got the idea, after several
weeks, not months.
does anyone watch the "Pet Store(?)" often shown on network tv?
in one segment w/the spca national pres., the host has a MaCaw on
his shoulder that goes after his glasses constantly, it gets to
be really funny to watch. good luck, --Loren
>
>> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
>> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
>> > someone could help me out!
>> >
>> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
>> my
>> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
>> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
>> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
> then
>> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
>> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
>> play
>> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step
> off
>> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
>> him
>> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
> he's
>> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
> chomp
>> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere
> he
>> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
>> on
>> > and doesn't want to let go!
>> >
>> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
> enjoy
>> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
>> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
>
>> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
>> the
>> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
>> bad.
>> >
>> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
>> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
>> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
>> > painful (especially to my wife!)
>> >
>> > Thanks!
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
|
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| Mike Marchand |
Thanks for the advice.
Right now, we try to limit interaction with him to the evening. He does
make a racket in the morning, and I usually just go up to the cage and
quietly say hello, it's alright calm down and he usually stops squaking.
Am I right to shake my hand around when he does bite, or should I simply put
him back immediatley? When I was playing with him last night, his chomping
seemed to be a little less frequent and any time he did bite I would shake
my hand or my shoulders (when he was sitting on my shoulder). He seemed to
bite even less frequently and less painfully as the evening progressed.
"NewsUser" <nospam@invalid.address> wrote in message
news:vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com...
> I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
> behavior.
>
> My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
> stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all
your
> shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and
you've
> had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
> bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
> range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours. And
> it can get far worse than this....
>
> Seriously.
>
> Karen
>
> > "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> > > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure,
maybe
> > > someone could help me out!
> > >
> > > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up
onto
> > my
> > > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted
and
> > > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to
bite!!
> > > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
> then
> > > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it
doesn't
> > > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants
to
> > play
> > > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step
> off
> > > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to
set
> > him
> > > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
> he's
> > > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
> chomp
> > > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips...
anywhere
> he
> > > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just
holds
> > on
> > > and doesn't want to let go!
> > >
> > > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
> enjoy
> > > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down
and
> > > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I
stop
>
> > > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back
in
> > the
> > > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
> > bad.
> > >
> > > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing
anger??
> > > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> > > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> > > painful (especially to my wife!)
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
|
|
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| Mike Marchand |
Thanks for your advice... we have only had him for 2 weeks so far and I'm
determined to stop this behaviour now before it continues or gets any worse.
We try to ignore him when he's squaking in his cage, and only let him out or
play with him after he has quieted down. I also firmly say NO when he
bites, as well as shake him around or blow on him. The shaking always works
for getting him to release and he seems to be getting a little better. I
think we just have to make sure we are consistant with him and continue to
let him know that biting is not acceptable.
"Loren Coe" <loren@netnews.attbi.com> wrote in message
news:jNm1b.223318$YN5.153484@sccrnsc01...
> In article <vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com>, NewsUser wrote:
> > I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
> > behavior.
> >
> > My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
> > stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all
your
> > shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and
you've
> > had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
> > bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
> > range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours.
And
> > it can get far worse than this.... > > Seriously. > > Karen
>
> what she said(!). Karen describes pretty much the chain of events
> during the 12mos i had a juvenile Quaker. a loveable little monster
> that could wake the dead. i managed to control his playful biting,
> tho he could surprise you if you were not careful about approaching him
> when he was not asking to be picked up. this would be in or on his
> cage.
>
> wrt to your request, the method i used was simply to keep a very
> close eye on him when handling, and read the "Quaker" book. discourage
> biting with a "no" before he actually bites and putting him back _in_
> the cage when he does. that _does_ work, eventually. i also yelled,
> ouch! something not recommended, and i would show him any blood he
> drew and make a big deal out of it. he got the idea, after several
> weeks, not months.
>
> does anyone watch the "Pet Store(?)" often shown on network tv?
> in one segment w/the spca national pres., the host has a MaCaw on
> his shoulder that goes after his glasses constantly, it gets to
> be really funny to watch. good luck, --Loren
>
> >
> >> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> >> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure,
maybe
> >> > someone could help me out!
> >> >
> >> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up
onto
> >> my
> >> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted
and
> >> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to
bite!!
> >> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
> > then
> >> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it
doesn't
> >> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants
to
> >> play
> >> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to
step
> > off
> >> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to
set
> >> him
> >> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
> > he's
> >> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
> > chomp
> >> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips...
anywhere
> > he
> >> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just
holds
> >> on
> >> > and doesn't want to let go!
> >> >
> >> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
> > enjoy
> >> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down
and
> >> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I
stop
> >
> >> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back
in
> >> the
> >> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was
being
> >> bad.
> >> >
> >> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing
anger??
> >> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> >> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> >> > painful (especially to my wife!)
> >> >
> >> > Thanks!
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
|
|
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| NewsUser |
I think you are correct to put him back in his cage if he bites. Don't
bother saying anything - if he's like my bird when he does whatever you
don't want him to do he will also SAY whatever you've been responding with.
I made the mistake of saying "Stop it!" duirng my conure's screaming jags.
Now, he'll tell himself to "Stop it!" when he screams. He also says it if
the eclectus whistles a lot or the TV/radio is loud or the dogs get noisy or
we humans are making noise. Over and over again. Very funny - very
frustrating. He clearly understands when it is appropriate to say it, but of
course this doesn't stop HIM from making a racket.
When you get to know your bird better you might begin to read his
intentions. If he's acting bite-y at all, immediately put him in the cage
and leave. I can't stress enough how important this is when the bird is
young. You might stand a chance of stopping some obnoxious behaviors before
they become habits. They are so cute and you want to create a bond when you
first get them, it's easy to overlook behavior that can eventually make them
impossible to live with. Trust me - I've made every mistake possible!
As for shaking your hand when he bites - in my experience this might prevent
a bite if you are able to do it before he bites, but it won't stop his
biting in future. My conure seems to find it fun to ride out the "wave".
Honestly, I don't think putting him in his cage will stop it either, but
it's worth a try.
Good luck.
karen
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:sUs1b.3534$_5.67035@news1.telusplanet.net...
> Thanks for your advice... we have only had him for 2 weeks so far and I'm
> determined to stop this behaviour now before it continues or gets any
worse.
>
> We try to ignore him when he's squaking in his cage, and only let him out
or
> play with him after he has quieted down. I also firmly say NO when he
> bites, as well as shake him around or blow on him. The shaking always
works
> for getting him to release and he seems to be getting a little better. I
> think we just have to make sure we are consistant with him and continue to
> let him know that biting is not acceptable.
>
> "Loren Coe" <loren@netnews.attbi.com> wrote in message
> news:jNm1b.223318$YN5.153484@sccrnsc01...
> > In article <vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com>, NewsUser wrote:
> > > I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
> > > behavior.
> > >
> > > My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young,
and
> > > stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when
all
> your
> > > shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and
> you've
> > > had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when
the
> > > bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
> > > range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours.
> And
> > > it can get far worse than this.... > > Seriously. > > Karen
> >
> > what she said(!). Karen describes pretty much the chain of events
> > during the 12mos i had a juvenile Quaker. a loveable little monster
> > that could wake the dead. i managed to control his playful biting,
> > tho he could surprise you if you were not careful about approaching him
> > when he was not asking to be picked up. this would be in or on his
> > cage.
> >
> > wrt to your request, the method i used was simply to keep a very
> > close eye on him when handling, and read the "Quaker" book. discourage
> > biting with a "no" before he actually bites and putting him back _in_
> > the cage when he does. that _does_ work, eventually. i also yelled,
> > ouch! something not recommended, and i would show him any blood he
> > drew and make a big deal out of it. he got the idea, after several
> > weeks, not months.
> >
> > does anyone watch the "Pet Store(?)" often shown on network tv?
> > in one segment w/the spca national pres., the host has a MaCaw on
> > his shoulder that goes after his glasses constantly, it gets to
> > be really funny to watch. good luck, --Loren
> >
> > >
> > >> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > >> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> > >> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure,
> maybe
> > >> > someone could help me out!
> > >> >
> > >> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up
> onto
> > >> my
> > >> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted
> and
> > >> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to
> bite!!
> > >> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few
seconds,
> > > then
> > >> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it
> doesn't
> > >> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he
wants
> to
> > >> play
> > >> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to
> step
> > > off
> > >> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to
> set
> > >> him
> > >> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder.
While
> > > he's
> > >> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin,
and
> > > chomp
> > >> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips...
> anywhere
> > > he
> > >> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just
> holds
> > >> on
> > >> > and doesn't want to let go!
> > >> >
> > >> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems
to
> > > enjoy
> > >> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and
down
> and
> > >> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I
> stop
> > >
> > >> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him
back
> in
> > >> the
> > >> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was
> being
> > >> bad.
> > >> >
> > >> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing
> anger??
> > >> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this
behaviour?
> > >> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be
rather
> > >> > painful (especially to my wife!)
> > >> >
> > >> > Thanks!
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
>
>
|
|
|
| Alex Clayton |
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9Rs1b.3533$_5.66889@news1.telusplanet.net...
> Thanks for the advice.
>
> Right now, we try to limit interaction with him to the evening. He does
> make a racket in the morning, and I usually just go up to the cage and
> quietly say hello, it's alright calm down and he usually stops squaking.
> Am I right to shake my hand around when he does bite, or should I simply
put
> him back immediatley? When I was playing with him last night, his
chomping
> seemed to be a little less frequent and any time he did bite I would shake
> my hand or my shoulders (when he was sitting on my shoulder). He seemed
to
> bite even less frequently and less painfully as the evening progressed.
>
>
There is really no "this is right", and "this is wrong". Birds are a lot
like children. What one book "claims" is the to end all advice, may not work
for you. Books are great, but be careful to take them with a grain of salt,
just like any advice you get here.
You do need to be careful not to over do the attention at first. This is a
common mistake made by people with a new bird. The bird needs to learn to
play without you, as well as with you. For this they of course need
interesting toys and room. I have found with my birds the most important
thing is not reinforcing negative behavior. You sound like your on the right
track there. The way I have handled this for years will often have people
here screaming, but it has worked. We have a Blue Crown, which can be very
loud, and a Blue & Gold Macaw which can make the house vibrate. <G>. We
allow the screaming if it's for some reason, like one of us comes home, the
UPS guy is here, and such. We discourage it when it is for no good reason
other than to make noise, or "pick me up". As long as you don't fall into
the trap of rewarding the bird to shut it up, you should be fine.
As to the biting, again it sounds like play. A Quaker that is scared, or
mad, can draw blood, what your describing is what I call pinching. Bird do
it with each other all the time. If they get too rough the other bird tells
them. Your doing the same thing, and the bird will soon learn.
As for what the one poster said about clothing, you have to pick your
battles. With our Conure I will not hold him while wearing something nice,
since he is going to chew it if your not actively watching him. With the
Macaw, it's buttons. He has a thing for them, so we just don't play with him
while wearing a shirt with buttons. I suppose we could force him to leave
them alone, but it's no big deal to us.
Another thing I have found birds like yours like is baths. Our BCC was
housed for years with a Quaker. When we got them they would both make a mess
trying to bath in their water dish. So we got them a large serving tray,
about 2 inches deep. I keep it on top of their play area full of water. They
could then get in and bathe as they felt the need. They love it.
Just keep working with the bird, two weeks is very new, see what works
for you, and go from there. They make a great pet.
--
"Things get better with age, I'm approaching magnificent"!
--
To see our Birds
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/bc/al...+Photos&.view=t
|
|
|
| Jan Zdun |
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
> someone could help me out!
>
> He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
my
> finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
> having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
> After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds, then
> look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
> seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
play
> or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step off
> my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
him
> down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While he's
> riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and chomp
> down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere he
> can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
on
> and doesn't want to let go!
>
> I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to enjoy
> it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
> firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
> shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
the
> cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
bad.
>
> Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
> Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> painful (especially to my wife!)
>
> Thanks!
I have a green cheek conure (Saffie) that loves to nibble. If she bites
hard, I yell "ouch" and it startles her enough to make her stop. (I also
tell her "Don't bite the Mama" in a harsh tone of voice.) If she continues
to bite hard after that, she gets cage time. If you continue to use hand
motion to stop the biting, try not to be too aggressive.
Jan
|
|
|
| Loren Coe |
In article <sUs1b.3534$_5.67035@news1.telusplanet.net>, Mike Marchand wrote:
> Thanks for your advice... we have only had him for 2 weeks so far and I'm
> determined to stop this behaviour now before it continues or gets any worse.
>
> We try to ignore him when he's squaking in his cage, and only let him out or
> play with him after he has quieted down. I also firmly say NO when he
> bites, as well as shake him around or blow on him. The shaking always works
> for getting him to release and he seems to be getting a little better. I
i will flamed for this, but in addition to, "no", i would threaten to
flick him on his beak an it sorta became a game. he knew he was mis-
behaving after a short time of this. i never flicked him after a
bite but occaisionally did before, this would prevent him biting
for at least a minute or so. not hard mind you, and smack on the
tip of his beak.
so the play time during this period often would be me, totally occupied
with the bird, keeping one finger coiled against the thumb and pointed
at him like a gun, saying, no...no..., no biting(!). --Loren
> think we just have to make sure we are consistant with him and continue to
> let him know that biting is not acceptable.
>
> "Loren Coe" <loren@netnews.attbi.com> wrote in message
> news:jNm1b.223318$YN5.153484@sccrnsc01...
>> In article <vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com>, NewsUser wrote:
>> > I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
>> > behavior.
>> >
>> > My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
>> > stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all
> your
>> > shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and
> you've
>> > had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
>> > bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
>> > range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours.
> And
>> > it can get far worse than this.... > > Seriously. > > Karen
>>
>> what she said(!). Karen describes pretty much the chain of events
>> during the 12mos i had a juvenile Quaker. a loveable little monster
>> that could wake the dead. i managed to control his playful biting,
>> tho he could surprise you if you were not careful about approaching him
>> when he was not asking to be picked up. this would be in or on his
>> cage.
>>
>> wrt to your request, the method i used was simply to keep a very
>> close eye on him when handling, and read the "Quaker" book. discourage
>> biting with a "no" before he actually bites and putting him back _in_
>> the cage when he does. that _does_ work, eventually. i also yelled,
>> ouch! something not recommended, and i would show him any blood he
>> drew and make a big deal out of it. he got the idea, after several
>> weeks, not months.
>>
>> does anyone watch the "Pet Store(?)" often shown on network tv?
>> in one segment w/the spca national pres., the host has a MaCaw on
>> his shoulder that goes after his glasses constantly, it gets to
>> be really funny to watch. good luck, --Loren
>>
>> >
>> >> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
>> >> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure,
> maybe
>> >> > someone could help me out!
>> >> >
>> >> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up
> onto
>> >> my
>> >> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted
> and
>> >> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to
> bite!!
>> >> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
>> > then
>> >> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it
> doesn't
>> >> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants
> to
>> >> play
>> >> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to
> step
>> > off
>> >> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to
> set
>> >> him
>> >> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
>> > he's
>> >> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
>> > chomp
>> >> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips...
> anywhere
>> > he
>> >> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just
> holds
>> >> on
>> >> > and doesn't want to let go!
>> >> >
>> >> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
>> > enjoy
>> >> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down
> and
>> >> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I
> stop
>> >
>> >> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back
> in
>> >> the
>> >> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was
> being
>> >> bad.
>> >> >
>> >> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing
> anger??
>> >> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
>> >> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
>> >> > painful (especially to my wife!)
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks!
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>
>
|
|
|
| Alex Clayton |
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
> someone could help me out!
>
> He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
my
> finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
> having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
> After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds, then
> look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
> seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
play
> or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step off
> my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
him
> down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While he's
> riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and chomp
> down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere he
> can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
on
> and doesn't want to let go!
>
> I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to enjoy
> it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
> firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
> shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
the
> cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
bad.
>
> Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
> Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> painful (especially to my wife!)
>
> Thanks!
>
>
>
It's hard to say for sure without seeing it but it sounds like he may be
playing. Birds "play" with their beak. When they do it with each other, and
they get too rough, the other bird lets them know. You have to do the same
thing, until they get the idea. It often takes some time. If he is willing
to step up, and actually wants to be with you it does not sound like a bite
out of fear or anger.
--
"Things get better with age, I'm approaching magnificent"!
|
|
|
| NewsUser |
I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
behavior.
My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all your
shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and you've
had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours. And
it can get far worse than this....
Seriously.
Karen
> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
> > someone could help me out!
> >
> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
> my
> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
then
> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
> play
> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step
off
> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
> him
> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
he's
> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
chomp
> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere
he
> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
> on
> > and doesn't want to let go!
> >
> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
enjoy
> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
> the
> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
> bad.
> >
> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> > painful (especially to my wife!)
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> >
>
>
|
|
|
| Loren Coe |
In article <vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com>, NewsUser wrote:
> I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
> behavior.
>
> My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
> stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all your
> shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and you've
> had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
> bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
> range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours. And
> it can get far worse than this.... > > Seriously. > > Karen
what she said(!). Karen describes pretty much the chain of events
during the 12mos i had a juvenile Quaker. a loveable little monster
that could wake the dead. i managed to control his playful biting,
tho he could surprise you if you were not careful about approaching him
when he was not asking to be picked up. this would be in or on his
cage.
wrt to your request, the method i used was simply to keep a very
close eye on him when handling, and read the "Quaker" book. discourage
biting with a "no" before he actually bites and putting him back _in_
the cage when he does. that _does_ work, eventually. i also yelled,
ouch! something not recommended, and i would show him any blood he
drew and make a big deal out of it. he got the idea, after several
weeks, not months.
does anyone watch the "Pet Store(?)" often shown on network tv?
in one segment w/the spca national pres., the host has a MaCaw on
his shoulder that goes after his glasses constantly, it gets to
be really funny to watch. good luck, --Loren
>
>> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
>> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
>> > someone could help me out!
>> >
>> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
>> my
>> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
>> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
>> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
> then
>> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
>> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
>> play
>> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step
> off
>> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
>> him
>> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
> he's
>> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
> chomp
>> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere
> he
>> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
>> on
>> > and doesn't want to let go!
>> >
>> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
> enjoy
>> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
>> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
>
>> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
>> the
>> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
>> bad.
>> >
>> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
>> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
>> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
>> > painful (especially to my wife!)
>> >
>> > Thanks!
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
|
|
|
| Mike Marchand |
Thanks for the advice.
Right now, we try to limit interaction with him to the evening. He does
make a racket in the morning, and I usually just go up to the cage and
quietly say hello, it's alright calm down and he usually stops squaking.
Am I right to shake my hand around when he does bite, or should I simply put
him back immediatley? When I was playing with him last night, his chomping
seemed to be a little less frequent and any time he did bite I would shake
my hand or my shoulders (when he was sitting on my shoulder). He seemed to
bite even less frequently and less painfully as the evening progressed.
"NewsUser" <nospam@invalid.address> wrote in message
news:vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com...
> I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
> behavior.
>
> My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
> stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all
your
> shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and
you've
> had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
> bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
> range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours. And
> it can get far worse than this....
>
> Seriously.
>
> Karen
>
> > "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> > > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure,
maybe
> > > someone could help me out!
> > >
> > > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up
onto
> > my
> > > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted
and
> > > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to
bite!!
> > > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
> then
> > > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it
doesn't
> > > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants
to
> > play
> > > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step
> off
> > > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to
set
> > him
> > > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
> he's
> > > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
> chomp
> > > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips...
anywhere
> he
> > > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just
holds
> > on
> > > and doesn't want to let go!
> > >
> > > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
> enjoy
> > > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down
and
> > > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I
stop
>
> > > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back
in
> > the
> > > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
> > bad.
> > >
> > > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing
anger??
> > > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> > > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> > > painful (especially to my wife!)
> > >
> > > Thanks!
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
|
|
|
| Mike Marchand |
Thanks for your advice... we have only had him for 2 weeks so far and I'm
determined to stop this behaviour now before it continues or gets any worse.
We try to ignore him when he's squaking in his cage, and only let him out or
play with him after he has quieted down. I also firmly say NO when he
bites, as well as shake him around or blow on him. The shaking always works
for getting him to release and he seems to be getting a little better. I
think we just have to make sure we are consistant with him and continue to
let him know that biting is not acceptable.
"Loren Coe" <loren@netnews.attbi.com> wrote in message
news:jNm1b.223318$YN5.153484@sccrnsc01...
> In article <vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com>, NewsUser wrote:
> > I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
> > behavior.
> >
> > My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
> > stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all
your
> > shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and
you've
> > had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
> > bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
> > range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours.
And
> > it can get far worse than this.... > > Seriously. > > Karen
>
> what she said(!). Karen describes pretty much the chain of events
> during the 12mos i had a juvenile Quaker. a loveable little monster
> that could wake the dead. i managed to control his playful biting,
> tho he could surprise you if you were not careful about approaching him
> when he was not asking to be picked up. this would be in or on his
> cage.
>
> wrt to your request, the method i used was simply to keep a very
> close eye on him when handling, and read the "Quaker" book. discourage
> biting with a "no" before he actually bites and putting him back _in_
> the cage when he does. that _does_ work, eventually. i also yelled,
> ouch! something not recommended, and i would show him any blood he
> drew and make a big deal out of it. he got the idea, after several
> weeks, not months.
>
> does anyone watch the "Pet Store(?)" often shown on network tv?
> in one segment w/the spca national pres., the host has a MaCaw on
> his shoulder that goes after his glasses constantly, it gets to
> be really funny to watch. good luck, --Loren
>
> >
> >> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> >> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure,
maybe
> >> > someone could help me out!
> >> >
> >> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up
onto
> >> my
> >> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted
and
> >> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to
bite!!
> >> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
> > then
> >> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it
doesn't
> >> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants
to
> >> play
> >> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to
step
> > off
> >> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to
set
> >> him
> >> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
> > he's
> >> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
> > chomp
> >> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips...
anywhere
> > he
> >> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just
holds
> >> on
> >> > and doesn't want to let go!
> >> >
> >> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
> > enjoy
> >> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down
and
> >> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I
stop
> >
> >> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back
in
> >> the
> >> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was
being
> >> bad.
> >> >
> >> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing
anger??
> >> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> >> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> >> > painful (especially to my wife!)
> >> >
> >> > Thanks!
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
|
|
|
| NewsUser |
I think you are correct to put him back in his cage if he bites. Don't
bother saying anything - if he's like my bird when he does whatever you
don't want him to do he will also SAY whatever you've been responding with.
I made the mistake of saying "Stop it!" duirng my conure's screaming jags.
Now, he'll tell himself to "Stop it!" when he screams. He also says it if
the eclectus whistles a lot or the TV/radio is loud or the dogs get noisy or
we humans are making noise. Over and over again. Very funny - very
frustrating. He clearly understands when it is appropriate to say it, but of
course this doesn't stop HIM from making a racket.
When you get to know your bird better you might begin to read his
intentions. If he's acting bite-y at all, immediately put him in the cage
and leave. I can't stress enough how important this is when the bird is
young. You might stand a chance of stopping some obnoxious behaviors before
they become habits. They are so cute and you want to create a bond when you
first get them, it's easy to overlook behavior that can eventually make them
impossible to live with. Trust me - I've made every mistake possible!
As for shaking your hand when he bites - in my experience this might prevent
a bite if you are able to do it before he bites, but it won't stop his
biting in future. My conure seems to find it fun to ride out the "wave".
Honestly, I don't think putting him in his cage will stop it either, but
it's worth a try.
Good luck.
karen
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:sUs1b.3534$_5.67035@news1.telusplanet.net...
> Thanks for your advice... we have only had him for 2 weeks so far and I'm
> determined to stop this behaviour now before it continues or gets any
worse.
>
> We try to ignore him when he's squaking in his cage, and only let him out
or
> play with him after he has quieted down. I also firmly say NO when he
> bites, as well as shake him around or blow on him. The shaking always
works
> for getting him to release and he seems to be getting a little better. I
> think we just have to make sure we are consistant with him and continue to
> let him know that biting is not acceptable.
>
> "Loren Coe" <loren@netnews.attbi.com> wrote in message
> news:jNm1b.223318$YN5.153484@sccrnsc01...
> > In article <vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com>, NewsUser wrote:
> > > I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
> > > behavior.
> > >
> > > My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young,
and
> > > stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when
all
> your
> > > shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and
> you've
> > > had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when
the
> > > bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
> > > range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours.
> And
> > > it can get far worse than this.... > > Seriously. > > Karen
> >
> > what she said(!). Karen describes pretty much the chain of events
> > during the 12mos i had a juvenile Quaker. a loveable little monster
> > that could wake the dead. i managed to control his playful biting,
> > tho he could surprise you if you were not careful about approaching him
> > when he was not asking to be picked up. this would be in or on his
> > cage.
> >
> > wrt to your request, the method i used was simply to keep a very
> > close eye on him when handling, and read the "Quaker" book. discourage
> > biting with a "no" before he actually bites and putting him back _in_
> > the cage when he does. that _does_ work, eventually. i also yelled,
> > ouch! something not recommended, and i would show him any blood he
> > drew and make a big deal out of it. he got the idea, after several
> > weeks, not months.
> >
> > does anyone watch the "Pet Store(?)" often shown on network tv?
> > in one segment w/the spca national pres., the host has a MaCaw on
> > his shoulder that goes after his glasses constantly, it gets to
> > be really funny to watch. good luck, --Loren
> >
> > >
> > >> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > >> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> > >> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure,
> maybe
> > >> > someone could help me out!
> > >> >
> > >> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up
> onto
> > >> my
> > >> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted
> and
> > >> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to
> bite!!
> > >> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few
seconds,
> > > then
> > >> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it
> doesn't
> > >> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he
wants
> to
> > >> play
> > >> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to
> step
> > > off
> > >> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to
> set
> > >> him
> > >> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder.
While
> > > he's
> > >> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin,
and
> > > chomp
> > >> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips...
> anywhere
> > > he
> > >> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just
> holds
> > >> on
> > >> > and doesn't want to let go!
> > >> >
> > >> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems
to
> > > enjoy
> > >> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and
down
> and
> > >> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I
> stop
> > >
> > >> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him
back
> in
> > >> the
> > >> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was
> being
> > >> bad.
> > >> >
> > >> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing
> anger??
> > >> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this
behaviour?
> > >> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be
rather
> > >> > painful (especially to my wife!)
> > >> >
> > >> > Thanks!
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
>
>
|
|
|
| Alex Clayton |
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:9Rs1b.3533$_5.66889@news1.telusplanet.net...
> Thanks for the advice.
>
> Right now, we try to limit interaction with him to the evening. He does
> make a racket in the morning, and I usually just go up to the cage and
> quietly say hello, it's alright calm down and he usually stops squaking.
> Am I right to shake my hand around when he does bite, or should I simply
put
> him back immediatley? When I was playing with him last night, his
chomping
> seemed to be a little less frequent and any time he did bite I would shake
> my hand or my shoulders (when he was sitting on my shoulder). He seemed
to
> bite even less frequently and less painfully as the evening progressed.
>
>
There is really no "this is right", and "this is wrong". Birds are a lot
like children. What one book "claims" is the to end all advice, may not work
for you. Books are great, but be careful to take them with a grain of salt,
just like any advice you get here.
You do need to be careful not to over do the attention at first. This is a
common mistake made by people with a new bird. The bird needs to learn to
play without you, as well as with you. For this they of course need
interesting toys and room. I have found with my birds the most important
thing is not reinforcing negative behavior. You sound like your on the right
track there. The way I have handled this for years will often have people
here screaming, but it has worked. We have a Blue Crown, which can be very
loud, and a Blue & Gold Macaw which can make the house vibrate. <G>. We
allow the screaming if it's for some reason, like one of us comes home, the
UPS guy is here, and such. We discourage it when it is for no good reason
other than to make noise, or "pick me up". As long as you don't fall into
the trap of rewarding the bird to shut it up, you should be fine.
As to the biting, again it sounds like play. A Quaker that is scared, or
mad, can draw blood, what your describing is what I call pinching. Bird do
it with each other all the time. If they get too rough the other bird tells
them. Your doing the same thing, and the bird will soon learn.
As for what the one poster said about clothing, you have to pick your
battles. With our Conure I will not hold him while wearing something nice,
since he is going to chew it if your not actively watching him. With the
Macaw, it's buttons. He has a thing for them, so we just don't play with him
while wearing a shirt with buttons. I suppose we could force him to leave
them alone, but it's no big deal to us.
Another thing I have found birds like yours like is baths. Our BCC was
housed for years with a Quaker. When we got them they would both make a mess
trying to bath in their water dish. So we got them a large serving tray,
about 2 inches deep. I keep it on top of their play area full of water. They
could then get in and bathe as they felt the need. They love it.
Just keep working with the bird, two weeks is very new, see what works
for you, and go from there. They make a great pet.
--
"Things get better with age, I'm approaching magnificent"!
--
To see our Birds
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/bc/al...+Photos&.view=t
|
|
|
| Jan Zdun |
"Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
> I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure, maybe
> someone could help me out!
>
> He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up onto
my
> finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted and
> having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to bite!!
> After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds, then
> look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it doesn't
> seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants to
play
> or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to step off
> my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to set
him
> down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While he's
> riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and chomp
> down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips... anywhere he
> can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just holds
on
> and doesn't want to let go!
>
> I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to enjoy
> it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down and
> firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I stop
> shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back in
the
> cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was being
bad.
>
> Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing anger??
> Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
> Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
> painful (especially to my wife!)
>
> Thanks!
I have a green cheek conure (Saffie) that loves to nibble. If she bites
hard, I yell "ouch" and it startles her enough to make her stop. (I also
tell her "Don't bite the Mama" in a harsh tone of voice.) If she continues
to bite hard after that, she gets cage time. If you continue to use hand
motion to stop the biting, try not to be too aggressive.
Jan
|
|
|
| Loren Coe |
In article <sUs1b.3534$_5.67035@news1.telusplanet.net>, Mike Marchand wrote:
> Thanks for your advice... we have only had him for 2 weeks so far and I'm
> determined to stop this behaviour now before it continues or gets any worse.
>
> We try to ignore him when he's squaking in his cage, and only let him out or
> play with him after he has quieted down. I also firmly say NO when he
> bites, as well as shake him around or blow on him. The shaking always works
> for getting him to release and he seems to be getting a little better. I
i will flamed for this, but in addition to, "no", i would threaten to
flick him on his beak an it sorta became a game. he knew he was mis-
behaving after a short time of this. i never flicked him after a
bite but occaisionally did before, this would prevent him biting
for at least a minute or so. not hard mind you, and smack on the
tip of his beak.
so the play time during this period often would be me, totally occupied
with the bird, keeping one finger coiled against the thumb and pointed
at him like a gun, saying, no...no..., no biting(!). --Loren
> think we just have to make sure we are consistant with him and continue to
> let him know that biting is not acceptable.
>
> "Loren Coe" <loren@netnews.attbi.com> wrote in message
> news:jNm1b.223318$YN5.153484@sccrnsc01...
>> In article <vkb3bp4a78g84e@corp.supernews.com>, NewsUser wrote:
>> > I'll be interested to see if anyone has suggestions on changing this
>> > behavior.
>> >
>> > My advice - set limits on holding him now, while the bird is young, and
>> > stick with them. Crawling all over you won't be so cute later, when all
> your
>> > shirts have little holes in them and your ear lobe is nibbled raw and
> you've
>> > had a few really nasty chomps that draw blood. It won't be cute when the
>> > bird screeches for you pick him up whenever you're in sight or hearing
>> > range - and you don't want to pick him up - so he screeches for hours.
> And
>> > it can get far worse than this.... > > Seriously. > > Karen
>>
>> what she said(!). Karen describes pretty much the chain of events
>> during the 12mos i had a juvenile Quaker. a loveable little monster
>> that could wake the dead. i managed to control his playful biting,
>> tho he could surprise you if you were not careful about approaching him
>> when he was not asking to be picked up. this would be in or on his
>> cage.
>>
>> wrt to your request, the method i used was simply to keep a very
>> close eye on him when handling, and read the "Quaker" book. discourage
>> biting with a "no" before he actually bites and putting him back _in_
>> the cage when he does. that _does_ work, eventually. i also yelled,
>> ouch! something not recommended, and i would show him any blood he
>> drew and make a big deal out of it. he got the idea, after several
>> weeks, not months.
>>
>> does anyone watch the "Pet Store(?)" often shown on network tv?
>> in one segment w/the spca national pres., the host has a MaCaw on
>> his shoulder that goes after his glasses constantly, it gets to
>> be really funny to watch. good luck, --Loren
>>
>> >
>> >> "Mike Marchand" <marchandmike@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:DH71b.12759$K44.9780@edtnps84...
>> >> > I have a question about my new 3-month old Maroon-bellied conure,
> maybe
>> >> > someone could help me out!
>> >> >
>> >> > He is always anxious for me to pick him up, and he readily steps up
> onto
>> >> my
>> >> > finger. He loves riding around on my shoulder, enjoys being petted
> and
>> >> > having the back of his nech rubbed... but most of all he loves to
> bite!!
>> >> > After stepping onto my finger, he will look at me for a few seconds,
>> > then
>> >> > look down at my hand and chomp down on any nearby flesh. And it
> doesn't
>> >> > seem to be a bite out of anger... but my impression is that he wants
> to
>> >> play
>> >> > or thinks he is playing. After he bites, he will still refuse to
> step
>> > off
>> >> > my finger unless it's to ride on my shoulder. In fact, if I try to
> set
>> >> him
>> >> > down, he will find another piece of flesh to bite even harder. While
>> > he's
>> >> > riding on my shoulder, he'll crawl up to my neck, under my chin, and
>> > chomp
>> >> > down onto my neck. He'll also chomp on my ears, nose, lips...
> anywhere
>> > he
>> >> > can find flesh. To make matters worse, whenever he bites, he just
> holds
>> >> on
>> >> > and doesn't want to let go!
>> >> >
>> >> > I've tried blowing on him, which worked at first but now he seems to
>> > enjoy
>> >> > it. I've tried the "earthquake" method (shaking my hand up and down
> and
>> >> > firmly saying NO), which always makes him let go, but as soon as I
> stop
>> >
>> >> > shaking my hand he'll chomp down again. I've tried putting him back
> in
>> >> the
>> >> > cage after being bit, but he doesn't seem to clue in that he was
> being
>> >> bad.
>> >> >
>> >> > Does he think he's playing with me, or is he actually expressing
> anger??
>> >> > Does anyone have some suggestions on how I can modify this behaviour?
>> >> > Please help!! He hasn't drawn blood yet, but his bites can be rather
>> >> > painful (especially to my wife!)
>> >> >
>> >> > Thanks!
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>
>
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