by Mona » Thu Aug 02, 2012 1:02 pm
Finally, on the subject of biting....
I have three Senegals so I watch how they interact and even my bonded pair, squabble frequently. They nip at each other and fly off. Nobody gets hurt but it's just a natural behavior for them. Take that natural behavior and put the animal on your hand or arm...add the fact that as people, we don't read their subtle cues....and our hand gets in the way of a nip. Think about it: Parrot bites parrot and gets - FEATHERS! No harm done....somebody screaches and flies off. Now, Parrot bites arm and gets - FLESH! Lots of harm done...screaming, yelling, flinging....(It's really hard to tolerate a bite)
So, you either have to really step up on reading subtle cues (and that really takes being a good study and honestly, isn't easy) or learn to set up the environment BEFORE handling them to prevent the bite (i.e. if you have a fear biter, don't handle them in a chaotic environment. If you have a snuggle biter, keep them off the couch,...if you have a jealous biter, don't have them on you when you are doing something with another bird...etc.). In other words, learn your bird and avoid circumstances that could trigger a bite.
One of the laws of behavior is that if a behavior isn't reinforced, it will extinguished. It is almost impossible NOT to reinforce a bite so my motto is: AVOID BITES AT ALL COSTS.....Learn where you can trust your bird and where you cannot. If they bite ask: What happened that preceded the bite that might have triggered it? Avoid that for a while - maybe even a year if necessary...but if you figure it out, the behavior often extinguishes.
That is the only way I know how to solve/prevent biting problems with Senegals. Greys are COMPLETELY different.
Mona in Seattle
Phinneous Fowl (aka Phinney) TAG
Babylon Sengal
Doug (spousal unit)
Jack and Bailey (Gremlins)
Kiri (CAG)
http://www.flyingparrotsinside.comyoutube: Avian Flyers