When you adopt a parakeet, the last thing you want is for your new feathered friend to get into the bad habit of biting you. This behavior, if not immediately discouraged, could take root in the animal and affect your relationship. To get your parakeet to stop biting you, follow the guidelines outlined in this article.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Tying with the Parakeet
Step 1. Choose a parakeet as young as possible
Parakeets are very sociable animals and can show you a lot of love if you can be considered part of the "flock". To do this, spend a lot of time with your little bird from a very young age; this way he will get used to you and your hands and will be less likely to start biting you.
Step 2. Feed it from your hand
If the parakeet associates your hand with something positive, such as food, they will be less afraid of it and therefore less likely to bite. This will not only help dissuade him from biting, but will serve to win his friendship more generally.
If the budgie feels threatened by your hand, you may have a hard time convincing him to take food from there. In that case, try starting with a spoon, holding it closer and closer to the concave part until it rests on your fingers and then on the palm. At that point you can stop using the spoon and encourage the bird to eat directly from your hand
Step 3. Reward the parakeet with treats
In addition to getting him eaten by your hand, you can strengthen the bond with him by offering him treats when he behaves well. For example, if he gets on your finger or comes out of the cage for the first time (see below), you can reward him with food. Once the parakeet understands the reward system, it will learn to do what you want in exchange for food.
Step 4. Try to find out the reasons that make him bite
Parakeets may bite out of fear, jealousy, or fatigue; due to an involuntary reinforcement of that behavior; because they don't want to go back to the cage; or, again, to defend their territory. It will be easier to bond with your budgie and stop biting if you know why he does this. Once you understand what the problem is, you can take a more focused approach to solving it.
Part 2 of 3: Interacting with the Parakeet the Right Way
Step 1. Move very slowly
Birds are frightened by sudden movements; to be able to tame them and stop them from biting, it is generally necessary to move slowly when you are close to them. Do not place the cage in a busy area of the house, as too much confusion could bother him.
Step 2. If the bird bites you, stay calm
If you snap your hand out of the cage when it bites you, the budgie may be pleased with the result or even amused by your gesture, and therefore continue to behave that way. Try to stay calm; its bites are unlikely to pierce the skin or be very painful. In response to the bite, just say "No" in a firm voice and cover the cage: the isolation will not please the bird and discourage that behavior; it will also help calm him down.
Step 3. Speak to him in a soft voice
The ultimate goal of having a good interaction with your bird is basically to tame it. Speaking in a low, sweet voice when you are around him will help him feel comfortable with you and make the process easier. Talking too loudly or yelling (even if you're not addressing him) would scare him.
Part 3 of 3: Training the Parakeet
Step 1. Teach him to perch on your finger
This is a typical step in bird training. It may take some time to do this, but your patience will pay off with a strong bond between you and your bird and minimizing the risk of bites. Follow the steps outlined below in this section to understand how.
Pay attention to your little bird's mood: he or she may not be interested in trying this new exercise just because you want it. Keep this in mind as you begin training and try to figure out what his mood is, so you can avoid irritating or frustrating him
Step 2. Place your finger against the parakeet's chest and push gently
You will not harm the bird in any way, but you will make it lose its balance, so as to induce it to rest its paws on your finger. It doesn't necessarily happen from the first time; if the parakeet flies away, try again the next day.
Exercise every day until the bird gets used to climbing on your hand. This will help him stop biting
Step 3. Have him perch on your finger outside the cage
Once he has learned to stand on your finger, try taking him out of the cage while perched on your hand. Give him a verbal cue, for example by saying "Come on!" with a lively tone. Initially the bird may not want to stray too far from the cage; by continuing to try, however, you should be able to convince him to go further each time. It may fly away, but it will always return to the cage in the end, as that is where it feels safe.
Once you have trained the bird to stay on your hand even outside the cage, you will have developed a good relationship of trust and, probably, it will not bite you again
Advice
- If the parakeet retracts from your hand, do not chase it with your finger; leave it alone for a while before trying again.
- Don't clap your hands or snap your fingers - you'll scare him.
- When you take him out of the cage, try to keep him in one room and close all doors and windows. That way you won't have to look around the house for it. Make sure the bird is back in the cage before you or someone else opens the door.
- Offer him some toys. Your little bird sure likes to play.
- Leave the cage open when the bird is out in case it gets tired earlier than expected.
- Check him regularly to make sure he's okay.
- Have him come out when you are alone and the house is quiet and peaceful, as the noise or the presence of too many people could scare him.
- Always keep a perch close at hand, in case the bird is in a place where you cannot reach it with your hand.
- Make sure she always has water and food available. Pelleted food, seeds, fruits and vegetables are particularly nutritious foods.
- Have him come out at the same time every day, so that he gets to anticipate the moments to spend with you.
- Training can take longer if you have a lot of specimens, as they will be more related to each other than they will be to you.
- Let him know that you care before you start teaching him new things.
- If you try to get him to eat your hand and he bites you, don't pull your hand back, or he'll think that's the right way to move it.
- Try scented snacks, they will appeal to him more.
- Make sure that the environment in which you leave it free is suitable for birds.
Warnings
- Keep an eye on it. You could lose it, trip over it, or even sit on it if you don't pay attention to where it goes.
- Keep the bird out of the reach of children. They might take him for a toy and inadvertently hurt him or even be hurt by him.
