Anyone know how to help with parrot biting?

Question

I recently adopted a parrot from a family member. This particular parrot, BaeBae an African Grey, is 22 and has never had his wings clipped, been to the vet, or even been out of his cage. (Yes, I know it's terrible! I hope to change all of this!)

I've had him about 2 weeks, and while he is eating very well and talking up a storm, he won't let me near his cage. He is a biter! I know this is because he is just not used to people coming to play with him.

I really want to be able to play with him and bring him in for a much needed check-up. I am absolutely not going to give up on him. I work with him every chance I get during the day (my poor dog is getting very jealous). Can anyone give me some advice on how to calm him down and stop the biting?

Answer 1

First of all, you are going to have to get him to a Vet. Find an Avian Vet that specializes in birds. An Avian Vet will have "CAV" after his or her name, meaning Certified Avian Vet. Get his wings clipped and his feet groomed. Have a blood panel done and find out if he's healthy. This includes blood levels concerning the calcium level and other important chemical levels in his blood. If you have to bring the whole cage in to the Doctor's office, do it.
You have your hands full!
You didn't mention diet. Find out as much as you can about him, what he's used to eating, what his conditions have been like.
Start by going to these websites:

http://www.itsagreysworld.com/home.html

http://parrotsonline.homestead.com/ArticlesGrey.html

http://www.birdsnways.com/

http://www.fowl-play.com/cart/enter.html

http://www.petparrot.com/

http://www.plannedparrothood.com/

http://www.companionparrot.com/

http://www.africangreys.com/greyplace/fun.htm

This is going to be a long road, but don't give up.
Hook up with this Yahoo group:

http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/ParrotBAS/

They are experienced people who will help you understand what is going on with your bird and how to safely bring around a bird who doesn't have a very high opinion of Human Beings. And to be honest, I can't blame him. He is probably extremely fearful, nasty and aggressive.
This is not going to be a quick fix.
If you are indeed commited to this, it will take a LOT of time. You will not only need to spend time with the bird, but you will need to learn a whole load of new stuff about behavior training, Positive Reinforcement, diet, parrot husbandry, and parrot care. You will either develop the patience of a Saint, or you will simply decide that you are not going to give up on BaeBae.
This is a whole new world: you will need to learn the language, the terms, and some extensive training techniques to bring this little one around.
It can be done, but it's going to take a long time, because it took 22 years for him to get the way he is. He has no manners and no skills. He doesn't know any other way.
Start by just sitting near the cage and having him get used to you being near his cage. Read the paper. Pay no attention to him.
Find out what his favorite food is. When you do, remove that from his regular diet and only give that to him as a treat.
If he does something you like, reinforce it with a treat he LOVES through the cage.
There is hope, and this is just the start of a very long road.
Look for an email from me. I will attempt to assist you.

Answer 2

Thank you for adopting the bird. You need to give it a long time - we're talking months - to get used to you. Just talk to it and let it get accustomed to having you around its cage. Don't be afraid to scold it for agression. Obviously you don't want to stick your fingers into the cage, but it shouldn't take long to teach the bird that you get to stand next to the cage and talk to it.

If it is healthy, a vet check can probably be put off. I know OLD parrots that have never seen a vet. Just make sure its diet is balanced - and that means very little seed. Your bird will probably not ever allow you to pet it or become cozy with it, but eventually - and again, we're talking months, a year, or more - you should be able to teach it to step up and be able to move it from cage to perch. If you must remove the bird from its cage for some reason (before it lets you) use a thick towel. You probably need to locate someone experienced with birds to help you.

My son has left me his african gray. That bird used to bite me something fierce, but now it realizes that if it wants to get out of its cage, it is going to have to tolerate me. I can stroke its back, once, and that is as affectionate as it will let me be. But, it has learned to let me carry it from cage to perch. Getting him to this point took a long time. Get educated as much as possible and you will enjoy the bird more. They can be such a hoot.

Answer 3

Phoenix has a great answer. I'm still a level one so I can't vote, but you won't go wrong with her advice.

I also own 11 parrots and have been working with a sulfer crested mean one for about a year. He let me hold and pet him tonight. Yes I've been bitten. But it's been worth it.

Answer 4

I think its too late. Most parrots bond with theor owner and they don tlike anyone selse unless they have been trained from very young. That bird will probably always bite. I have a parrot around that I cant stand, and it cant stand me, It bites everyone except his daddy.

Answer 5

Don't take it out of the cage.