Not sure if you are on here much as this video is old, BUt my new boy fluffs out just like this when hes talking to me and trys to bite when i'm not looking. is this because he wants my attention or wants me to go?? please message me if you are able ;0)
@babybluesrus New bird? Know anything about his background? Any trust issues? Does he let you pet or preen him?
How does he fluff his feathers? Like the beginning or the end of this video? Does he look relaxed or tense? Does he bob and weave his head or lift his wings, which might suggest he wants attention?
The fact that he bites when he's talking to you implies it may be playful (which still can hurt). But it’s hard to know without seeing the behavior in context. Can you post a video?
My bluecrowns bite differently. Grover will give a warning bite & then progress harder (unless he thinks that you are making moves on his woman then look out ! He rarely draws blood. Loki, however, rarely bites anymore. However if she does bite, blood will be drawn and a bruise given (she won't regret it either) Anyone, who is considering owning a medium or larger parrot should know they crack walnuts with their beaks and can use the same force on fingers. Also, be aware of their screams
Yes. We just got a second BCC who bites more as you describe Grover. Most of what you see in this video could be described as light nipping - both playful and irritated. But Paco often bites "gradually" (with increasing pressure) too. From all I've heard/read/seen, macaws and Aratinga conures are mainly "gradualists." Amazons and some other parrots, by contrast, seem to have just 2 bite settings: "off" and "on."
Question what are thoughts on the smaller parrots, like the green cheeked conure, parrotlets, parakeets, are they the same with their bites and aggression.
Our cockatiels have a 'bite vocabulary' similar to Paco's (expressing affection, irritation, warning, wanting attention...), though their 'style' is different. I know very little about parrotlets and have no direct experience with either budgies or Pyrrhura conures. I've heard of hard budgie bites (they don't like to be touched); GCCs have a reputation for volatility (one friend called them "little green hand grenades").
Our cockatiel has a few different bites & we have learnt to know what they mean. People also need to learn not to smack or flick their birds in the head. A big no no. Our bird doesn't get puffy when he's angry, he goes all long & skinny & stands really tall. He either nips or he BITES!!! which feels like needles. ouch..
@Mr291229 My GCC is much the same in her range of beak communication. She uses the same language when we hurt a pin feather: her nips alway sting, are "noisey", but never breaks the skin. Not getting what she wants, or not being put where she wants will get you a light, quick nip. If she's feeling grumpy, she will gnaw on a finger with increasing strength, until you take it away. Once a year or so she might get annoyed enough about something to just barely puncture the skin with a quick nip.
@Mr291229 With my Crimson Bellied Conure (also a Pyrrhura like a GCC) I taught him not to bite hard by screaching "BEAK!!!" every time he hurt me. It sort of startled him, and stopped him, and eventually I saw a little light go on in his bird brain, and he decided he would not bite any more. He was very very very beaky though, as I never discouraged him from using his beak as a form of gentle communication. I would also allow him to grip my finger very firmly for support when he needed to.
Thanks for replying :) This sounds more or less what I do. Although not actually squashing the sheaths. I have an African Grey (Yoda) who unfortunately plucks. I also have a Blue Fronted Amazon (Inca) who doesn't pluck, but can be unpredictable and a bit tetchy. I don't think he likes me...and as I am the only human he has its a case of take it or leave it...and it is often my finger he takes!!!!! Yoda is as soft as anything though and loves me to scratch his head.
What exactly are you doing with the pin feathers? Not pulling them out? My parrots would not like that and would bite too. I groom them and scratch their pin feathers. I bathe them and shower them, but I don't pull them out.
Right. Don't pull them out! Mostly I'm grooming and scratching. I also feel for DRY feather sheaths. Big ones I pop with my nails; tiny ones I scrape or roll between my fingers. Of course the bird has to trust you and be relaxed. Be slow & careful! Don't go too far up the shaft. Be sure the sheaths dry, not tender (feels like dry versus green grass). You'll always get some wrong and get beaked. But they want you to do it. In the video, I just accidentally touched one the wrong way.
Not sure if you are on here much as this video is old, BUt my new boy fluffs out just like this when hes talking to me and trys to bite when i'm not looking. is this because he wants my attention or wants me to go?? please message me if you are able ;0)
babybluesrus 1 year ago
@babybluesrus New bird? Know anything about his background? Any trust issues? Does he let you pet or preen him?
How does he fluff his feathers? Like the beginning or the end of this video? Does he look relaxed or tense? Does he bob and weave his head or lift his wings, which might suggest he wants attention?
The fact that he bites when he's talking to you implies it may be playful (which still can hurt). But it’s hard to know without seeing the behavior in context. Can you post a video?
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conuropsis 1 year ago
great video! My experience with my peach fronted conure mirrors your with your blue crown.
onmilo 1 year ago
My bluecrowns bite differently. Grover will give a warning bite & then progress harder (unless he thinks that you are making moves on his woman then look out ! He rarely draws blood. Loki, however, rarely bites anymore. However if she does bite, blood will be drawn and a bruise given (she won't regret it either) Anyone, who is considering owning a medium or larger parrot should know they crack walnuts with their beaks and can use the same force on fingers. Also, be aware of their screams
DrevikkDrevik 2 years ago
Yes. We just got a second BCC who bites more as you describe Grover. Most of what you see in this video could be described as light nipping - both playful and irritated. But Paco often bites "gradually" (with increasing pressure) too. From all I've heard/read/seen, macaws and Aratinga conures are mainly "gradualists." Amazons and some other parrots, by contrast, seem to have just 2 bite settings: "off" and "on."
conuropsis 2 years ago
Question what are thoughts on the smaller parrots, like the green cheeked conure, parrotlets, parakeets, are they the same with their bites and aggression.
Mr291229 2 years ago
Our cockatiels have a 'bite vocabulary' similar to Paco's (expressing affection, irritation, warning, wanting attention...), though their 'style' is different. I know very little about parrotlets and have no direct experience with either budgies or Pyrrhura conures. I've heard of hard budgie bites (they don't like to be touched); GCCs have a reputation for volatility (one friend called them "little green hand grenades").
conuropsis 2 years ago
Our cockatiel has a few different bites & we have learnt to know what they mean. People also need to learn not to smack or flick their birds in the head. A big no no. Our bird doesn't get puffy when he's angry, he goes all long & skinny & stands really tall. He either nips or he BITES!!! which feels like needles. ouch..
TheMadmoggy 2 years ago
Comment removed
pyrrhuraphile 1 year ago
@Mr291229 My GCC is much the same in her range of beak communication. She uses the same language when we hurt a pin feather: her nips alway sting, are "noisey", but never breaks the skin. Not getting what she wants, or not being put where she wants will get you a light, quick nip. If she's feeling grumpy, she will gnaw on a finger with increasing strength, until you take it away. Once a year or so she might get annoyed enough about something to just barely puncture the skin with a quick nip.
pyrrhuraphile 1 year ago
@Mr291229 With my Crimson Bellied Conure (also a Pyrrhura like a GCC) I taught him not to bite hard by screaching "BEAK!!!" every time he hurt me. It sort of startled him, and stopped him, and eventually I saw a little light go on in his bird brain, and he decided he would not bite any more. He was very very very beaky though, as I never discouraged him from using his beak as a form of gentle communication. I would also allow him to grip my finger very firmly for support when he needed to.
pyrrhuraphile 1 year ago
Thanks for replying :) This sounds more or less what I do. Although not actually squashing the sheaths. I have an African Grey (Yoda) who unfortunately plucks. I also have a Blue Fronted Amazon (Inca) who doesn't pluck, but can be unpredictable and a bit tetchy. I don't think he likes me...and as I am the only human he has its a case of take it or leave it...and it is often my finger he takes!!!!! Yoda is as soft as anything though and loves me to scratch his head.
GurglingAnimal 3 years ago
What exactly are you doing with the pin feathers? Not pulling them out? My parrots would not like that and would bite too. I groom them and scratch their pin feathers. I bathe them and shower them, but I don't pull them out.
GurglingAnimal 3 years ago
Right. Don't pull them out! Mostly I'm grooming and scratching. I also feel for DRY feather sheaths. Big ones I pop with my nails; tiny ones I scrape or roll between my fingers. Of course the bird has to trust you and be relaxed. Be slow & careful! Don't go too far up the shaft. Be sure the sheaths dry, not tender (feels like dry versus green grass). You'll always get some wrong and get beaked. But they want you to do it. In the video, I just accidentally touched one the wrong way.
conuropsis 3 years ago
Very well put this will help many people.
Turbocane 3 years ago