Expert: Chrys Meatyard - 5/15/2006

Question
Hello!

I would like to state first off that this is the first "parrot" me and my wife have owned, and at only 5 months old, we want to make sure he doesn't develop any habits that may be classified as "bad".

We've had this sun conure (Micha) for 2 days now and he is just coming off of being hand fed.  Petsmart gave us instruction on that. He seems to really be comfortable in our home and new cage.

The first concern that we have noticed with Micha is that he really likes to pick out any imperfections on our skin, our fingernails/fingers, his cage, the couch, ect. by chewing on them.  He's been really pretty gentle with our skin, but sometimes it begins to hurt and we've been grabbing his beak or pushing it away and saying "gentle".  I suppose we will keep doing that when he is on our shoulders.  But, the chewing on the couch or any other object for that matter will continue, and I believe that would be classified as a "bad" habit.  He chews constantly and even if we push him away, he does it again right away.

My question is:  Is this normal behavior for a young conure, and if not, what is the 'proper' way (if any) to reduce or stop his chewing habits other than with his toys in the cage?

I also realize that we should probably just give it some time to learn that we don't want it chewing, but I thought it best to get an experts opinion.

I tried to search for this question on Google, and the about database for general bird questions, but with no resolve.

I do appreciate any help you can lend us!

Thank you.

Derek H.


Answer
Hi, Derek.  Thanks for posting.

Congratulations on your new acquisition!    

There are several things going on here with your new baby sun.  First of all, since s/he is a baby, s/he is teething (yes, just like humans do).  This means s/he will chew on anything s/he can find.  Secondly, all parrots need to chew.  This is a lifelong need and is perfectly normal.  Again, they will chew on anything and everything they can find or that you will allow them to chew on (furniture, woodwork, clothing, plastic, etc., etc.)...name it and they will chew on it!  Thirdly, most parrots like to pick at imperfections on our skin (blemishes, scabs, loose skin, etc.)...this is also perfectly normal.  Sounds to me like you have a perfectly normal baby sun conure.  

Is this behavior the beginning of a bad habit?  Yes, I suppose so if you allow s/he to chew on anything and everything.  What you must do is provide your new sun with plenty of toys, etc., s/he is allowed to chew on.  Even branches off a bird-safe tree s/he can destroy would be great.  Yes, you need to set the boundaries as to what s/he can chew on and what you will not allow your sun to chew on.  This might mean you will have to limit the area to which you allow your parrot to have access to because they can cause damage to wooden furniture and other wooden parts of your home.  You will not be successful in stopping this chewing behavior, but you can be successful by teaching s/he what s/he can chew on and not chew on by doing exactly what you've starting doing.  I would recommend you find a word other than "gentle" to use when you want your sun to not chew on something, such as "No."  No would apply to anything you don't want s/he chewing on or otherwise doing.  In using the word "gentle," you would have to use this word for anything else you don't want your sun doing.  Whatever word or phrase you choose, just be consistent in using it.

Also, ALWAYS reward positive behavior by providing a treat or praise whenever your sun behaves positively.  NEVER reward negative behavior.  A reward to a parrot can be something as simple as a look from you, a verbal reprimand, etc...anything that gets you to react to his/her actions can be a reward...ignore negative behavior (except to say "NO!" when s/he is chewing on something you don't want chewed up).  You can "punish" your conure by saying "No" to him/her when necessary then placing the bird back in/on it's cage.  Whatever "punishment" you use (of course, never inflict physical harm to a parrot), you must be consistent.  Think of your baby sun as a human child and react accordingly.  In other words, the methods you might use to teach a human child under 1 year of age can be applied to your sun baby.  S/he will use psychology on you and will test you to see what it can get away with and you will have to use reverse psychology in dealing with your new pet.

I realize you might have additional questions/concerns, so come back when/if you need to.

Chrys