Dante's behavior, help please...

[Fur&Feathers]

Dante can sometimes be the sweetest birdy ever. When he was a baby, he enjoyed cuddling with you and being wrapped in a blanket. Now, when he doesn't get his way, he will bite the crap out of you. Or if he's in a bad mood and you can't really tell, lean in for a kiss and he'll bite your lip, sometimes to the point of drawing blood. Also, one of the things he does is pick, pick and pick!!! I have a tattoo on my arm and he loves to try to get it off. Plus, he's really got a thing for tearing apart bra straps. If you try to stop him while he's on your shoulder or arm, he screams and bites your hand. Sometimes you have to take off your shirt in order to get him off of you, without any harm to either of you. We've tried the method of putting him in his cage everytime he bites, but he doesn't really care. He'll just eat or play with his toys. I know you can't "punish" a bird any other way because they're so emotionally sensitive, but I would like to make at least some improvement in his behavior, before he gets too old. Right now, Dante is a year and a few months. Here are some pictures of my baby.

Thanks for any help. Also, do you think his beak needs to be trimmed? Thanks.



Here he is rubbing on a toy that he has destroyed...




Here he is with Zeus and Lil' Bit.

[barncat]

Have you checked out some books/sites on parrot behavior?

An avian vet or behaviorist would be very good to give advice in this situation.

In the meantime....

My cockatoo will pick at any skin imperfections...that's natural preening to "help" you get that pinfeather that's stuck out...
She can be redirected though by scratching her favorite places or offering a toy.

The biting and ripping sound as if your bird is trying to be dominant. When he behaves that way, give a time out. Make sure his cage is lower than eye level to the humans...that gives him a subordinant place in the flock and may help him get the idea he's not the boss.

Birds are social but emotionally about equal to 2 year old humans. Be gentle, consistant, and firmly establish what you will reinforce and what will be a timeout...

Good luck and get professional advice as soon as you can. I am not familiar with the breed of your bird and sexual maturity often comes with temper outbreaks that need a certain sort of response that your vet can guide you through....

[Giselle]

I agree.

It sounds like Dante's going through the Terrible Two's. Have you read Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot by Mattie Sue Athan, yet? She covers how to prevent and "cure" the Terrible Two's.

But until you've got the book in your hands, I'll basically sum up what she wrote. First, DO NOT let Dante on your shoulders if he defies your commands. When he is on your shoulders, he is, in simpler terms, dominating you. And when you combine this domineering bird with the Terrible Two's, you're in for a ride. When the bird hits one to two years, he begins to defy rules, saying NO to everything. My first suggestion is to have the Step Up down and concrete. This is sort of like a birdie version of the canine NILIF - or Nothing in Life is Free. In the same way a dog is required to sit before eating his meal (thus, reinforcing the human as the alpha), the Step Up will reinforce that you are leader and gives you more control.

This is a time for development. So in order to cater to your juvenile's needs, you should incorporate positive daily rituals, plentiful toys to allow the bird to make his own individual decisions, and reduce Dante's opportunities to do BAD behaviors and increase his opporutunities to do GOOD behavior. You should also begin to explore birdie tricks, like hanging from a branch to reach for food in a human's hand, laying on his/her back (*only* if the bird is comfortable), and speaking.

Quite honestly, you should head out to the bookstore today and buy the Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot. It covers much more than I can write in a single post, and has some species specific tips. I wish you luck, and no, I don't think Dante's beak needs trimming. Just give him plentiful fresh twigs to shape his beak. Good Luck!