Some Reasons Why A Pet Bird Bites

Biting is a common and instinctive behavior among pet birds; pet birds bite due to various reasons. Steps could be taken to avoid the bites, once we know the reasons these exotic birds bite. It is wrong to categorize a bird as bad just because it bites or give it any punishment; this would only aggravate and create further problems in the long run. 

Reasons a pet bird bites:

• One of the most common reasons a pet bird bites is due to fear and distrust of human beings. Older birds recognize some of the members of the family as their flock and would bite those it considers as strangers. So it is best to not allow strangers or children to handle these pet animals without your direct supervision as their bite could also lead to broken bones or bleeding. A visit to the vet could also cause your pet bird to bite; working on socializing your pet with new people would help.  

• It is best to know that pet birds bite when they are tired, stressed, injured or ill; if your bird that does not bite bites consistently it could mean the pet is ill and needs a vet’s attention. Most pet birds need 12 hours of quiet and undisturbed darkness to feel rested; with an injured bird biting when hurt.

• Some pet birds bite because they are territorial of their cage, play stand, or even their favorite person; a territorial bird will need someone with a lot of patience to train her. If your pet bird becomes territorial of her cage, she will bite you when you attempt to take her out; similarly a pet bird that is territorial of you will attempt to bite either you or your rival to get attention. It is best to not allow these birds on your shoulder and they could also bite through ear lobes, and cause permanent damage to the face, neck and head.

• You could also find certain pet birds especially the amazons and cockatoos bite when they are playful or highly stimulated. So it is best to avoid handling your bird when it is overexcited. It is significant to note that birds that are about to bite have fluffed feathers and eyes that dilate and constrict rapidly; most birds have their own body language and it is best to study them to understand when they bite.

• Lastly pet birds particularly amazons and cockatoos bite and are aggressive during the breeding season due to hormonal changes; a breeder or vet could best tell you all about the ways of identifying signs of hormonal behavior. It is futile to control the pet bird when it is affected by hormonal biting; the best defense being to avoid handling the bird in this stage.

Image Courtesy: Google