i have a African grey and he has been through some abuse be4 i got him now he like to bite how can i stop that

Question

I have had him for just over a year and there is no change. Its just getting worse. Is there any way to change that? I want to beable to hold and love him the way it should be and not be scared of him bitting me or anyone else so please help me

OMG I HAVENT HIT THE BIRD!!! He Was Abused Before I Got Him. I Have A Strong Love For All Kinds Of Animals. All I want is for my bird to stop bitting me and my kids i have try to tell him no and that is bad if he is walking around and trys to bite or does bite i put him back in his cage and tell him bad bird i have read some bird books but not many i live in a small town where we dont have alot of stuff like that . so if i could get a little better advice on how to stop it that would be great "AND NOTE I DIDNT ABUSE THE BIRD "WAS ABUSE BEFORE I GOT HIM>

Answer 1

There was a similar question to this a few days ago that I answered. This is basically how I answered the other question so here it goes... it sounds completely crazy but I PROMISE that this worked with my 3yr old previously untamed grey... I found all this information online at the website link below when I was researching to get mine.... What I found was that when they bite you and if you say "ouch", or "no" they think its fun that they got a response out of you. So the best thing to do and I did it and believe me it worked is if he bites you just grit your teeth and take it. IT wont take him long at all to realize that he wont get a rise out of you and will find no excitment in biting. you have to remember these birds have the mentality of a 5 yr old and the tempermant of a 2yr old. You have to keep in mind that a 2yr old kid is going to act up. So is a bird that has the same mindset. Just be patient with him and I can guarantee that he will get over it. I would not recommend letting children handle it. I have used this method myself and it does work. Also socialize the bird as much as possible. This will try to prevent the bonding with only one person. If you have a petsmart or something that you can take him to I would recommend that. Again there do not let younger children hold or even try to pet them. My birds previous owners used him as a "look at" bird. These birds do the best with humans if they are very well Also just sit next to his cage for about 30 min a day and just talk to your bird and let him know that you are his friend and that you aren't going to hurt him.socialized with them. If not then they wont like humans as much. Good luck with your bird and remember these birds have a tendency to get passed around from owner to owner. he deserves a good home so dont give up.

http://birds.about.com/od/behaviorandtraining/Behavior_and_Training.htm

Answer 2

When it bites you, if you react by pulling away, or leaving him alone, he is learning that biting is an effective way to get what he wants. Have you purchased a good bird training book? There are also some really good video courses. I know it is hard not to pull away. We have a rescue cockatoo that was quite a biter. (She's sitting on the back of my chair grooming me right now) She knows that biting will not have an effect on me, so she stopped trying it. Good luck.

PS. NEVER EVER expect an animal to learn good behavior by hitting it as previously suggested! It will only learn to fear you and your hands.

Answer 3

I don't think hitting a bird, helps, would only make him meaner. Use kindness instead. Keep his cage close to you, in the evenings, talk to him calmly. Try handing him a sunflower seed in your fingers, so that he gets used to your hand, and won't bite. All birds bite, most most not hard, they explore with their beaks. If you act afraid of them, they know they have the "upper hand" and will keep biting.

Answer 4

OMG do not hit the bird!!

It can take years before you can cuddle, or only a few weeks, it depends on the bird. Please start slowly and do not make your bird uncomfortable. If he only wants to be held, do that and slowly move on to petting. Praise him for good behavior. BE PATIENT.

One question I have, is WHEN does he bite? WHat is triggering the bite?

Answer 5

Absolutely DO NOT HIT THE BIRD!
It will only make things worse, or even kill it.
Just talk to him calmly, be his friend and when he bites you just take it like a man lol.. Or.. you can do this is what i used for my birds for them to be less afraid of me when i firstly got them.
When they are on ur hand give them fruits, seeds, treats etc.
When they aren't give them it too but when they are on ur hand
give it to them more and like when they hop off, you put ur hand under their brest and they will hop back back on again, you say "Good (name of bird here)" And give them the treats.
It pretty much works.. So when ur bird doesn't bite say
"Good (name of bird here)" and give them some apple or treats or seeds or something..

Thanks, Angie

Answer 6

Keep him near you.

When my cockatiel used to keep biting i would keep it near me as it was afraid of any sudden movements before. It got used to sudden movements after a while and it took time and patience for him to get used to my hand and being hand fed.

I used to put my cockatiel on the dining table and put seeds one by one next to it. It would eat it then walk away. Again and again, and then try it without putting it down infront of it, and it may take it from your hand. It will somehow realise your hand means food!

Answer 7

Hereare a couple of websites to view,
http://www.africangreys.com/articles/behavior/flocks.htm

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/africangreys/a/africangreys_2.htm

Check out BirdTalk Magazine or other books on African Greys

Answer 8

you have to show a grey that you are boss go to a pet store they can show you how

Answer 9

every time it bites you say stop and hit it. be patient