Bubble is not only biting, but trying to attack!

[ottermom]

Hi everyone,

My male - well the former owner told me he was a male - is attacking me when I try to get him from off the top of his cage. He puts his little head down and runs across the cage top with his beak open trying to get me. He'll also bite my neck and ears when he's sitting on my shoulder, but we are working on this.

I realize that he is trying to bite because he doesn't want to go back in yet. I get them both out several times during the day for an hour or 2 at a time and then they go back in for an hour or 2. I don't interact with them much while they're out (because I'm working) but I'm in the same room with them and I talk to them, etc. The only way to get Bubble to step up when he's acting like this is to bribe him with a seed. But I feel like this is reinforcing his behaviour.

How can I fix this? Should I spend more one on one with each bird?

Thanks!

Tania

[butterfly1061]

I realize that he is trying to bite because he doesn't want to go back in yet. I get them both out several times during the day for an hour or 2 at a time and then they go back in for an hour or 2. I don't interact with them much while they're out (because I'm working) but I'm in the same room with them and I talk to them, etc. The only way to get Bubble to step up when he's acting like this is to bribe him with a seed. But I feel like this is reinforcing his behaviour.How can I fix this? Should I spend more one on one with each bird?When you take your birds out of their cage, you need to interact with them. They can't learn if you don't. They only learn that they can do whatever they want to do because you're off doing something else. When your male chases to bite you on top of his cage, this doesn't necessarily mean he doesn't want to go back in the cage. Birds can become territorial about their cages - inside &/or out. Can you handle them without them biting you or not? This might be a situation where they don't like hands. You can try offering your arm or a perch to get you male back into the cage. Give us some additional information if you can.

[Mummieeva]

I agree with Jackie try offering your arm or a perch instead. I had a female who hated hands with a passion. But did fine with my arm offered. Normaly I try to let mine go back in cage on own but I know not always possible.



Steph

[ottermom]

Thanks for the tips - it's what my intuition was telling me. I was assuming that since they were bonded to each other they didn't really need me too much.

When out of their cage they hang out on my arms or shoulders more than half the time, so it's not that we never interact. I can handle them without them biting - in fact the only time I really have a problem is when he's on top of his cage. He's not territorial about the inside of the cage at all. I can show him my finger and he steps right up. I do try to put him back in when he's already on my arm or hand, but like Steph said, sometimes he needs to go back before he's ready. He used to step up like a champ, but that's when I was really working with each of them one on one in order to get them used to me.

I'll try to do more one on one finger work and just spending time with each one and see what happens.

Thanks!

[butterfly1061]

do you know how old your lovies are and how long have you had them?

[ottermom]

They're about a year old each and I have had them 5-6 months.

I saw another thread about flight induced aggression and that may be what I'm experiencing with Bubble. They both had their wings clipped, but the flight feathers have grown back in. Bubble's seemed to have taken longer but he is defiinitely fully flighted now. I'd really like them to be able to fly around while I'm in here with them and they're out of their cage. I don't let them get into anything and do whatever they want. When they are on top of their cage they're pretty much on their own but as soon as they come off, I really watch them and keep them from getting hurt or destroying anything.

[butterfly1061]

I like mine to be flighted too. I do clip about 2 or 3 flights depending on their flight strength. If they get bitey, they get clipped a couple more. It's like an attitude adjustment :whistle:

[ottermom]

I'm going to work on spending more time with them both one on one. If he stays bitey I may have to resort to clipping him a little.

Bubble doesn't seem to be as strong a flyer as Squeak. She's amazing to watch. She's such a character. Bubble's more laid back (usually) and let's Squeak take over.

Thanks everyone - It makes me feel better to have a plan and to know that it's maybe not all my fault! I have a lot of experience with dogs and problem behavior, but these are my first birds.