Budgies and biting...?

Question

I have a few questions about my budgie and it's biting. It's really young, so I'm not sure of it's gender..I thought it was a male, but lately it's been chewing everything and biting/nipping my finger, so I'm thinking maybe it's a girl. Would it be more typical for a female, or do male budgies do that too, just not as much?

I was also wondering, can a budgie nip be about showing affection too? Because as mine grows used to me, it's been nipping my finger a little more. Not hard at all..very softly. But I'm not sure if nips/bites can also be used to show affection.

And should I continue letting it do so? I'm not sure if doing that will make it more aggressive. I don't give it attention when it bites, just calmy let it, so it's not getting any sort of reward, but it seems to like doing it sometimes. It does 'bite' bite sometimes if I pet it when it's tired or go near it, but it's more to let me know...even then it's pretty gentle.

And I have one more question: do their bites

Get harder as they get older? Because I'm not sure if this budgie's bites don't hurt just because it's a baby, or because it's purposely doing it gently. As they get older, do their bites get harder?

Answer 1

I have had several Budgies and every single one of them bite. I switched to the larger breeds with much greater success.

Answer 2

Baby parrots will beak everything, though some species are worse than others. Budgies aren't that bad in comparison to other birds, such as my green cheek conures. Their nips will eventually get harder, but you can cut down on this by 'wobbling' your hand if the bird is sitting on it. If that doesn't work, continue ignoring the nipping. Your kiddo will eventually learn that it doesn't get a reaction out of you. It sounds like you're doing a great job teaching your guy to be gentle :-) .

I've found that both males and females will nip. Females are more likely to maul anything that can be dismembered, though. I lost a bulletin board to my younger hen a few years ago.

Budgies also nip to protect a mate, so if your budgie doesn't want you to be near someone or wants something you have, expect to get dinged. Younger birds will chew on your fingers, much like a puppy will. It's a phase and they eventually grow out of it :-)

Good luck! Sounds like you've got one cute budgie!

Answer 3

Sometimes birds go through a "bulldog" phase and like to test you as a small child would test a parents Patience.

Some breeds with touch beaks as a sign of affection.

I have 3 finches and a canary. My canary loves to have her beak rubbed and she will give me little canary kisses on my finger in return. Your bird may be doing that.

I would say make an appointment with a vet who KNOWS birds well and Avian Vet. My birds are considered tropical so it was hard to find a vet who would see them. The vet will be able to help with behavior issues.

If a bird is being ornery/crabby don't yell at it. It will only hear your voice is raised and repeat the offense. If your bird is not behaving just place it back in the cage and walk away for a few hrs. Don't answer the bird or pay attention for a few hours. The worst thing to a bird is to be ignored, he/she will learn biting = ignore.

I have found a vet who offered obedience classes for bird owners, if you live in a big enough city you might be able to find one.

Sounds like you are doing well with your bird. Good not to reward the behavior. Very smart.

Guess u could put some lemon juice on your hand and when the bird bites he may not like the taste.

Answer 4

They use their beak to climb, and this may be what is happening.

It could also be using it's beak and biting because you have not earned it;s trust yet.

Just be patient and geltle with the littlle guy.