Pet birds are very independent animals who at the end of the day are guided by their natural instincts, yet aggression it is not a natural behavior for birds therefore it is important to know why you pet bird is biting in the first place.

First, I would consider the most common of all reasons for biting – the sudden approach. Has your pet bitten you suddenly at the approach of another person? This instinctive behavior is like a short circuit in your pet’s protective defense mechanism. Veterinarians refer to this kind of biting a displacement biting which often occurs amongst birds. For example a parrot may nip at a mate in attempt to encourage it to fly away. The best solution for this behavioral problem is to encourage other family members to handle your pet bird and share responsibility for the pet bird’s care. Remember never to let a pet bird prone to displacement biting to sit on your shoulder.

Second, you must consider that young pet birds have the tendency to be “beaky”, meaning the sometimes chew on fingers and other human body parts during explorations. Although this process can be painful it doesn’t mean your pet bird doesn’t like you, it is simply an adolescent behavior he will eventually outgrow. Sometimes birds use this technique as a way of testing objects to be sure that they are sturdy enough to stand on. To correct these behaviors you must make your pet feel secure, remain calm when he is climbing around you. A stern no or substituting your hand for a toy maybe enough to distract your pet, but if the behavior persists then it is best to give your pet some cage time.

Third, is what is known as territorial biting which is self explanatory – when you put your hand in your pet’s cage he will bite because this behavior is instinct, birds are genetically programmed to protect their nests from intruders. Also keep in mind that bird become even more territorial when their hormones are active during breeding season. Avoiding territorial bites may be as easy as allowing your bird out of its cage before cleaning and replenishing food, it is preferable to allow your pet to climb out of the cage rather than putting your hand inside. Try socializing with your pet on neutral territory away from the cage. And remember to avoid eye contact with a territorial bird because your pet may perceive this action as a sign of aggression.

And last but not least there is the issue of fear biting which consists of your pet biting of out fear from unfamiliar situations. But sometimes you just cannot avoid having a crowd of people in your home for the holidays; therefore it is best to remove the source of fear when possible and learning which situations trigger biting episodes.

Remember to respond to bad behavior with consistency.

• Speak softly, yet stern. Use a tone of voice that is low but loud when telling your pet he has done something wrong, and keep it short.

• Be expressive. Don’t be afraid to frown at your bird, they are capable of picking up on facial expressions.

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