Parakeet problems?

Question

hey guys,well im having some parakeet issues right now. i have a 5 month old male parakeet who used to be a very tame and sweet bird and is now starting to bite me which he has never done before so why the sudden change in behavior? also how can i train him not to bite? ive read that you can say no in a loud firm voice and cover their cages up with something to train them not to bite and ive done this the past 3 days and he's still biting how can i get him to stop?also he's been doing the weirdest thing where he stands in one spot and then leans over and then starts to flap his wings real fast like he's trying to fly but he does that all the time now and then he will start screeching real loud why is he doing that?

Answer 1

You are obviously not playing with your bird as much as you used to or your bird wouldn't be biting you!

The reason your bird is flapping it's wings is to get exercise. It is kind of like when humans stretch out their arms and roll them around like a windmill.

Your bird is screeching because it is bored. Try getting it a mirror if you are unwilling to get it another parakeet as a companion.

A parakeet bite can only hurt so much and will not kill you. Take your bird out every day and play with it or it will get even wilder!

Make sure to keep it's flight feathers trimmed so it doesn't injure itself by flying off your shoulder into a window, open toilet, out the door, etc.

Your bird won't bite you if it is sitting happily on your shoulder! Your bird's personality will change after you clip it's wings because it will realize it is "stuck" sitting on your shoulder and will finally be content to do just that rather than planning it's next flight session!

Here are instructions on how to clip/trim flight feathers. Make sure to have some powder sugar or cornstarch available in case you make a mistake and need to stop bleeding. Please follow the instructions exactly:
http://www.animalsheltering.org/resource_library/magazine_articles/jul_aug_2001/how_to_trim_bird_wing_feathers.html

Answer 2

Saying "No" in a loud voice is just adding drama to the situation - something that birds like. Don't make a big fuss; this only gets the bird going. Letting your bird know that you disapprove of the biting is fine. Make eye contact, give him a dirty look and say "no" in a quite, firm voice, then move on. This is only a quick fix though and does not get to the root of the problem. Go ahead and use this technique, but look into finding the root of the problem. Figure out WHY he is biting you. Solve that little mystery and you're well on your way to having a sweet tame bird again.

As to your question of "why the sudden change in behavior?" - We can only guess at this because we do not live in your house and see how you interact with your bird. We do not know if anything has changed in your house. We do not know what is different now from when he was cute and sweet. The age thing plays a part, but there could be other underlying issues too.

There are so many variables as to why your Parakeet may be biting and I could type till the cows came home, so the best thing I could do for you is to suggest you get into some good helpful reading.

May I suggest...

Birds for Dummies -
http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/productCd-0764551396.html

Companion Parrot Handbook -
http://www.companionparrot.com/Companion%20Parrot%20Handbook.htm

The Beak Book -
http://www.companionparrot.com/Beak%20Book.htm

These are all well worth reading and are a good little investment. They'll save you a lot of bites and other hastles.

Have a look at birdchannel.com too

Answer 3

In my journey, parakeets do extra valuable in even numbers with an equivalent male to woman ratio so as that they might type pairs. in case you already know your parakeets gender, attempt in simple terms getting between the different gender. purpose for comparable length and age if in any respect conceivable. And sure, in case you probably did no longer improve the cage, the unique parakeet might experience that his area is being intruded upon. Get a clean, better cage, and introduce the hot and unique parakeet to it on a similar time. there may be some bickering at first, yet till there is truly injury being executed, enable them to establish themselves in the past you do something. even however, if everyone seems to be being particularly aggressive and harming the different, separate them at latest.

Answer 4

Your bird is obviously going through a stage of testing what it can get away with, something simular to the terrible two's.

Please do NOT clip the wings yourself, but take it to someone who knows how to properly clip them. Never attempt to do them yourself. Often times this is done with no knowledge and clipping improperly can and will cut into the blood feathers can really do some damage and permenant at that.

And for all those people out there that don't beleive in clipping wings, don't even go there with me! Birds can still fly quiet well with wings clipped. People who allow their birds to fly into walls, and into ceiling fans and allow them to eat poisnous plants are far better off not having birds then people who clip their birds. So don't email me whining and complaining about the responsibility of those who choose to do what's right for those who really do what's right for their birds!!

Your bird needs to be clipped to and change the diet in order to prolong it's life. If you are feeding it a seed diet, please change it's diet. As it stands, it will live 4-6 years. Changing the diet to a proper one, it can live up to 25 years.

Good Luck!