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Re: my red bellied parrot
Posted by TrishM on 11/21/04

Read a LOT, but use your own good judgment and common sense
and remember that the term "expert" when it comes to birds
is not the same as it applies to dogs and cats. People have
been studying dogs and cats a lot longer than they have been
studying birds. Try these links and also try a 'net search
using "parrot behavior modification":

http://www.avianpublications.com/items/behavior/item821.htm

http://www.naturalencounters.com/parrot.html

http://www.avianweb.com/parrotbooks.htm

Now, let's put something in perspective here ~ and i'm not
trying to sound mean or harsh, okay? Look at the size of
yourself. Look at the size of your bird. Consider the
difference in the size of you and the size of the bird.
Just how much damage is she *really* going to do to you when
she bites? How bad does it *really* hurt when she uses her
beak for leverage? You're dealing here with something that
weighs *ounces* .... not a pitbull. Remember that. You
have the ability to change your whole perspective, okay?

How long has it been since you've taken her to the vet? If
her beak is overgrown or overly sharp, a good avian vet can
*properly* adjust that and it will take some of the oomph
out of the bite or grab. Ditto with the toenails. A good
avian vet can also offer you some tips and pointers and can
show you the proper means of getting the bird to step up and
down. A $65 - $85 vet visit might be some money very well
spent!

Fear of working with her just because of a little discomfort
is going to take you backward, instead of forward, with
her. Downplay her negative behaviors and *consistently* and
lavishly praise/reward her good behaviors.

It sounds like you've made some progress with her, so you
must be doing something right, right? =) Educate yourself
a little more and be confident in your abilities by looking
at how far you've already come with her! When you work with
her or when she's sitting on your lap for playtime/snuggle
time, have several things right at hand to offer her ~ pay
attention to her behaviors and learn her body language ..
and offer her something other than you to chomp! ;)

TrishM


On 11/21/04, Alyssa wrote:
> i have a red bellied parrot, and it is the first bird i
> have ever owned. we bought from a pet store and was very
> afraid for about 6 months. now she is a very good girl,
but
> i still have probelems when i try to get her on to my
hand.
> she thinks everything is ok for her to bite, including my
> hands and her beak is pretty sharp. the problem is
> consistent, and once she caused pretty serious damage,
> grabbing the top of my hand and not letting go. i dont
> think it is in defense, i think she doesnt know it hurts
> me, and she is just trying to get up by pulling herself up
> by her beak. i dont know what to do, and im scared to
> practice with her, because it reAlly hurts when she bites.

Posts on this thread, including this one

• my red bellied parrot, 11/21/04, by Alyssa.
• Re: my red bellied parrot, 11/21/04, by TrishM.
• Re: my red bellied parrot, 11/30/04, by Keats.