Looking for advice

[VickiNC]

Hello.

I joined because I recently inherited two parrots from my sister-in-law, who passed away from cancer. She asked me to take her two parrots, a Meyers and a Blue headed pionus, because I have some experience with pet birds. However, I've never owned a Meyers, and I'm having some problems with him.

He is about six years old. He's really a character. He mimics a lot of sounds and says a few words. He's playful and eats well. However, he bites, and he's very unpredictable about it. Sometimes he will step up onto my hand and seem perfectly friendly. But other times he will clamp down on my fingers and hold on until he draws blood. He also will attack my hands when I try to put his food and water bowls into or out of the cage. And he bites hard!

I know parrots react to drama, so I try to stay calm (which isn't easy when he's clamped down on my bleeding hand) and just say "No bite" in a firm voice.

Can anyone tell me whether this is normal behavior for a Meyers? I've read that they can be "nippy" -- but these bites are far beyond nippy! Does anyone have any advise for addressing this behavior?

Thanks!

[Cockatielsongs]

You're doing right with not reacting badly to the bite so that's great, I know how hard it is to stay calm when his biting, my cockatoo use to also clamp down hard until he was satisfied with the red stuff pouring out. When it comes to biting I wouldn't say 'unpredicatable' there are a series of signals and warning signs that a bird gives before proceeding to actually biting, the thing is you need to be aware and able to identify these signs/signals. Maybe he is pinning his eyes, or getting thin or something, maybe he delivers the bite at a certain time.

All birds do not bite for no reason, their instinct is to flee not attack so will use biting as a sort of last resort. So try to observe your birds actions before the bite comes, it may take a while to familiarize yourself but you'll get there, now I can tell when my cockatoo feels grumpy from a distance.

So basically just keep doing what you're doing and not react to the bite, he may just be adjusting to a new home and a new owner. Re homing can be extremely stressful for birds, give him time and he'll come round.

All the best and don't worry, everyone on this forum is here to help

[marie83]

Welcome to the forums.

I do agree with the post above in that parrots dont bite for no reason, to start with there is always a reason but the reason may change from "I dont want you to do that" to "oh its funny to make her squeal/pull her hand away/shout at me".
Most of the time the bird will also give signals to warn you, some birds will be more subtle than others so pay close attention to body language and you will learn to avoid the bites. A few older birds have learned that body signals dont work, whats the point in giving warning signals in that case? might as well go straight for the bite which will work..... Not sure if this applies to your bird but time and patience can re-train him.

[Cockatielsongs]

My apologizes! I forgot to say...

Welcome to the forum!!