Kodi is still a bitter biter

[KiwiMango]

I had to laugh when this happened, which has happened way too much on Kodi's part, causing a lot of frustration between my boyfriend and myself. As some of you know Kodi has been a biter since the day we got her. It doesn't matter what she is doing, she just has to bite any skin exposed and she isn't gentle about it. I think the only thing she is gentle about biting is when she eats! She is the most careful eater/taster I have ever seen.

Anyways, the other night my BF allowed Kodi to sit all nice on his shoulder while he watched some TV. Mango and Kodi always have to be on someone but it's hard for us with good reason b/c of Kodi's nasty habit. I didn't remove her this time because it appeared she was just all comfy for a little snooze when out of nowhere I hear this scream, a scream I've never ever heard before out of a guy. I look over and Kodi is in the same position as I had left her, but I could see from the red mark she decided to reach over and bite my BF hard on the neck. She even does this to me when they visit on my shoulders, I always leave my hair down for coverage and for no reason she'll bite and then act like she didn't do a thing. Hmmmmmm....timeout for this one and I even get a 'growl' out of her too.

Timeout is a big deal for her and the tantrums happen a lot, and I only give her timeouts when she bites people for no reason like this. But she still hasn't learned. Has anyone had issues placing a bird in timeout when you have another bird who is off to the rescue? Mango will crawl under doors to get to her since they hate to be separated and I feel like Mango is getting a timeout too when she's bad. It's like I have complete opposites, a sweetie boy and a mean girl.

[sdgilley]

This is a very frustrating problem, I understand. Ouch!

If I were in your position, I'd take a different approach. First, even though it seems like she's being bad, mean, or evil - I'd try to remember that she's a wild animal and this behavior isn't nice or fun - but it's something she does, not driven by wickedness (although it feels that way!).

Have you tried dowel training her? I just might give you a small activity that you can do with her alone and praise her work. If you work some short periods with her alone, maybe Mango will calm down about the separation.

I know the bites are frustrating, I have one that is a neck biter. I don't let him sit on my shoulder for that reason (Luka). It is hard, but try not to get angry. Lovebirds are the drama queens of the bird world. They love a good scene, and it sounds like the whole time-out/trantrum thing is right up their alley. You might have shorter periods for them to be out. You might take them out for three ten minute periods instead of one 30 minute period. I know this may eliminate the cuddly period, but you should try to avoid the biting. Barb so wisely explained to me that once you avoid the bite for a period of time, the chances are less (your frustration is less, too).

I have a dedicated biter that I've had for 3.5 years now. Peter hasn't bitten me in about 2.5 years! He drew blood on me a few times. He gets on me now, but I'm alway aware of when we should change activities.

Good luck!

[BarbieH]

Great advice from Suzanne. :) The only other thing that I would add, is that the time of day might be a factor. I know from experience that biters can be more prone to bite when it's getting dark and they are tired.

Think of it from the perspective of a bird in the wild. It's getting dark, you are nodding off, but there might be predators around. You notice something in the darkness; the safest thing to do might be to attack the closest thing to you. It's a survival instinct.

Try only bringing your birds out when it's light and they are awake. If your biter feels safer, she might be less prone to attack.

Best wishes, :)

[sdgilley]

My first posts here were because Peter was such a biter/wild guy. That's when I learned that they need 10 to 12 hours of quiet sleep every night. Now I make sure they are covered for at least 10 hours in my quiet room. If they get a little nutty & nippy, I recheck their schedule as I may have let it slide to later bedtimes.

Just like with people, sleep deprivation can alter their personality or bring out the nasty in them. With the winter sun, now is a good time to get them to bed early if you need to.

[KiwiMango]

They are dowel trained but Kodi is fast and hyper and ends up bouncing around everywhere on me for any exposed skin when she is interested. I always insist they get at the least 12 hours every night. They tell me when they are ready for bed each night at the same time and have their own sleep cage in a quiet room. I'm not sure if it has to do with the time of day since it happens all the time, whenever, where ever no matter what she is doing. I think it is just part of her personality. They only get out 30 minutes in the morning before work and she bites me, and then they are out from 5:30-8:30 each night, same routine as always. Plus half the time that they are out they love to take little snoozes here and there on me. I have literally tried everything and have done everything anyone recommends since we got them:(

[sdgilley]

They only get out 30 minutes in the morning before work and she bites me, and then they are out from 5:30-8:30 each night, same routine as always.

I know this must be frustrating for you. But have you tried to vary the routine? If you have them out 30 minutes and Kodi bites you, how about 15 minutes? I think it's great you have them out for so long, BUT it would be better if you were not being bitten during this time. If you cut their time short without being bitten, then you could lengthen it when it becomes a habit NOT to bite you.

I'm not trying to belabor a point. It's just that if you have them out for a short period and put them away without a bite - you've caught Kodi being good! Build slowly on that until it is a habit that lasts the entire period they are out. Consider starting over with them, as you have time and SO do they.

Good luck, I really hope this helps.

[Bomom]

I was wondering if "time out" consists of going back to bird room or cage with toys and such?
My Bo was given away because at 6 mouths she was a terror!! Her previous home had small children and that bird drew blood . it was very frustrating and even made me cry ..:whistle: But.. now she is really good and gives a fair warning most times ..at least she will stop her self before drawing blood.. I used a small round cage with no toys only water and a perch, I would towel her to get her in there with the bad orange monkey towel that she hated the sight of and I would not give her eye contact for 10 mins . Then I would talk to her and let her out . no yelling , I would just say no chewy softly to her while taking her to the little cage . Now she is a gem!! Also I read that in the wild if they are afraid they will bite a flock mate to make them run from danger so maybe Kodi is seeing something as dangerous and wants you or your BF to run to safety , What was he watching on TV Cats?!!:omg:

[ottermom]

Bomom, I just love your avatar!

I always have to laugh at you people with mean hens, because my male Bubble is the biter. The female Squeak is sort of scared of everything, but is really sweet as long as she doesn't see fingers.

[Bomom]

Bomom, I just love your avatar!

I always have to laugh at you people with mean hens, because my male Bubble is the biter. The female Squeak is sort of scared of everything, but is really sweet as long as she doesn't see fingers.

:lol Thanks Check out Bo's Photo Story , she flips for all of her foot toys;)

[KiwiMango]

Kodi is getting a little better. I don't allow her on our shoulders much and as long as I leave my hair down she will just nuzzel instead of taking a munch out of my neck. She really has hated her first molt and I her hormonal changes have been quite nasty. Couple more months I hope it will pass, I think Mango would appreciate it much too. And here they come to bother me while I'm typing......

[KiwiMango]

sike, she still has a 'taste' for blood

[Kali]

Hi Sarah,

I have been looking back at posts and was wondering if Kodi has improved in her biting habits.
I have been trying to get JC out of the biting habit ( she draws blood every time- my daughter said she would never have believed I would be afraid of a bird if she hadn't seen it) She seems to delight in taking a piece out of me every time she is out of her cage. I am hoping Kodi's biting habit was just a phase she was going through. Kali.

[DebSpace]

Kali, Kodi and Mango have a new owner and they seem to be doing some better. The new owner hasn't posted much yet. I don't know if you are trying to handle your daughter's bird on a daily basis, but regular handling will help this. You might also want to try to remain unaffected by the bite (I know, easier said than done) but birds enjoy getting a dramatic response. There are several good threads about using a firm-but-gentle beak hold and teaching a bird the "no bite" command. In my early days of working with Nip, my masked female, she would bite for blood so I used a neutral color glove to minimize the impact. It does take consistency and lots and lots of patience, so hang in there! :) Also, feel free to start another thread and ask for more help from other members as they might offer tips I haven't thought of here. :)