Why does my bird bite?

[lovebird_lover101]

I have a lovebird who seems to like me and will sit on my shoulder and will talke to me and stuff but seems to bite anyone and everyone. I tried training but it didnt work...can someone help me:confused: I dont know what to do.

[Janie]

I have one (out of three) that does bite. He is very, very friendly and loves to take a shoulder ride and loves human interaction but he will bite. Not because he's mad but just because he uses his beak for everything and that includes biting. I've tried the "no bite, Big Boi" thing and it did no good. I've also tried returning him to his cage (which he hates) but I can't stand to punish him for something that I don't think he does to be mean or bad. He is a wonderful little bird with only one fault....he bites! :D

[lovebird_lover101]

Big Boi sounds like my bird Bart. Ive kinda stoped trying to train him to stop biting. If im careful I can get him on my finger with out him noticing but when he does.....watch out:rofl:. Does anyone think it will help him stop biting when I get another lovebird? It worked with some of my other birds that I had when I was younger(I had one parakeet that would bite then my bro got one and I held his and he didnt bite and I think mine got jealous and decided to quit:lol)

[bellarains]

Kari,

When Bela nips, and I say nip because it's not really a bite unless it draws blood;), hold his beak gently and say "NO BITE". I then rub his beak between my thumb and forefinger gently to teach him to be gentle. This works for some, but not all. Some birds are just more nippy than others:rolleyes:

Birds do bite though, some more than others, but generally they are trying to tell you or someone else something. It may be "I'm tired". It could be "I'm hungry, or thirsty", or it could be"She's mine, get back". There are many reasons, and this is their way of communicating some things, so try and pay close attention to when he bites the most, and see what he's trying to tell you. You can teach him to not bite for the fun of it, but sometimes he might just be just trying to say something.

[butterfly1061]

When Bela nips, and I say nip because it's not really a bite unless it draws blood;), hold his beak gently and say "NO BITE". I then rub his beak between my thumb and forefinger gently to teach him to be gentle.Olivia is my biter and she's a "draw blood" biter :eek: I've done this very thing (Loris' suggestion) with her and now her bites are not as frequent - thank goodness. Remember to be gentle when you hold her beak. There are blood lines in the beak and enough pressure can cause injury, so gentle. :)

[lovebird_lover101]

I was told that isnt a good way to teach a bird how to stop biting. Ill try it to see if it works thanks. Oh and he just bites for biting I dont think the likes hands.

[BarbieH]

I have one bad biter, Gracie. What I did was try to figure out what was triggering the bites, and then I tried to prevent those things from happening around Gracie. Like, I can never, ever put my fingers up to her face.

What you don't want to do is accidentally reward your bird's bites with attention, excitement (yelling), or removal to the cage. It just teaches the bird that if it bites you, that thing will happen.

If I were you, I would start by paying close attention to what triggers your bird into biting.

Good luck! :)

[Janie]

I am sure that most birds bite for a reason and if you can figure out what that reason is, you might be able to avoid the bites. Big Boi is probably the sweetest bird I have (yes, even sweeter than Oliver) and shows no aggression to either Oliver or Shy and doesn't bite any other family member but me. I think it's because he's so comfortable with me and knows that unlike Oliver and Shy, I won't bite him back! :D I don't think his biting has anything to do with his being happy or mad or excited or sick.....he just likes to use that beak! :D If I hold him and rub his head and beak, he's as gentle as a lamb. His biting occurs when he's exploring. Running up and down my arms and legs or crawling inside my shirt. He'll see a freckle or a mole and he just has to taste it! :lol

I also use Lori's method with Big Boi and it does help. :)

[lovebird_lover101]

I still havent found out the reason Bart likes to bite but I have tried Lori's way of training and so far it has worked:happy: :D I want to say thanks for everyone who has replied and I want to give Lori a very special thank you:cool:

[bellarains]

Kari,

I am glad it is working for you. It sure does make time out more pleasurable:)