Why does my bird bite people?
Birds may bite for many reasons, including fear, excitement, territorial behavior, true aggression, or displaced aggression. Learning to recognize warning signs can help prevent bites. One common warning sign is rapid “eye flashing,” where the bird quickly contracts and enlarges the pupils. This behavior often means the bird is over-excited and about to bite.
Birds may also bite when they become excited or stressed by nearby birds or people. A bird that is agitated by another bird may redirect that frustration toward the nearest person. This behavior is called displaced aggression. Similarly, some birds may bite their owner when someone they dislike approaches or attempts to handle them.
Most pet birds can become protective of their cage (cage aggressive). A bird may bite if you reach into their cage to get them, clean the cage, or replace food and water dishes.
How can I manage my bird’s biting?
If your bird bites, try to remain calm and avoid reacting dramatically. Strong reactions can unintentionally teach your bird that biting gets attention or gives them control over the situation, and they may learn to bite more. Even negative reactions, such as yelling at or hitting, may reinforce the behavior.
- If your bird bites while on your hand, slowly and calmly put them down and walk away, like giving a time-out to a child. Wait until your bird is calm before asking them to step up again.
- If they continue to bite, stop trying to pick them up.
- If they continue to refuse to step up without biting, you will need to regain their trust.
NEVER hit a bird. Birds do not respond to physical discipline—it only causes them to lose trust in their owners and become fearful of hands. In addition, it is generally recommended not to use gloves to pick up a bird, because most birds are afraid of gloves. You can protect your hand with a thick towel, if needed. Some birds may feel more comfortable stepping onto a wooden dowel (perch).
To re-teach your bird to step up, start by gradually hand-feeding a favorite treat that is only given in special circumstances. First, offer your bird the treat without asking them to step up. Once they take the treat several times over several days without attempting to bite, offer the treat so they must put one foot onto a perch to get it, and eventually both feet onto the perch. It may take several days or weeks of practice before your bird trusts you enough to step fully on the perch.
Once your bird reliably steps onto a perch for treats, you can teach them to step onto your hand using the same reward-based approach. This process can take a long time, so be patient.
Pay attention to your bird's body language to understand when they may prefer some personal space. Birds that are preparing to bite may lean forward with their head to bite, lean away from your hand, or make an unhappy vocalization. If biting or other behavioral problems continue, consult your avian veterinarian for additional guidance.
Why does my bird scream?
The most talented talker can also be a skilled screamer. Screaming or loud vocalization is a natural way for wild parrots and other birds to communicate with each other in their flock environments. They will also scream if they are alarmed. Birds vocalize if they are frightened, bored, lonely, stressed, or unwell. Pet birds often vocalize when people are talking loudly, vacuuming, chatting on the phone, or playing music. They may see these times as appropriate for vocalizing as part of normal flock behavior.
Birds usually scream in the early morning and at dusk, when they naturally gather in the trees to socialize and eat. Because you are part of the flock, your bird likely wants to communicate. Unfortunately, what may be natural behavior for birds can be annoying to their owners in the confines of their homes. Note: Screaming may be a health issue. Most birds vocalize when having a seizure, so if you hear a vocalization that you have never heard before, get your bird immediate attention.
How can I manage my bird’s screaming?
First, remember that vocalizing is normal bird behavior. Birds do not understand that loud screaming or squawking may be disruptive in a home environment — this is a human problem. Your bird is merely screaming to communicate or to get attention.
There are many approaches to managing this human problem. Often, people make it worse by yelling back at their birds and inadvertently reinforcing the screaming.
Rushing to “help” a distressed, screaming bird or yelling at them gives them the attention they demand. If you run to your bird when they scream, even to reprimand them for screaming, they will quickly learn that it is an effective way to get attention and will likely continue screaming for it.
Another ineffective approach is to cover the cage or turn the lights off when the bird screams. This approach reinforces the screaming because the bird gets attention when their owner comes to their cage to cover it. In general, avoid acknowledging screaming whenever possible.
A more effective approach is to reward calm and quiet behavior. When your bird is being quiet, offer praise, attention, a favorite treat, or a fun activity such as a toy or foraging exercise. Healthy treats may include small pieces of walnuts, almonds, sticks, baby carrots, or coconut. This type of positive reinforcement teaches your bird that calm behavior earns attention and rewards.
Of course, birds are not machines, and there may be times when even the best-behaved bird screams inappropriately. However, overall, positive reinforcement training is the best way to deal with problem behaviors in birds. Many books and videos are available about positive reinforcement training for birds. You can also consult your avian veterinarian for help and possibly a referral to an avian behaviorist.