AboutRev. Dr. S.August Abbott Expertise Certified Avian Specialist; Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council member; Own animal rescue org; National Wildlife habitat #66378; bird care, nutrition & behavior consultant; International Assoc. of Animal Behavior Consultants Associate; National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club member; published bird care, info and behavior articles and guides.
Ongoing education in exotic bird behavior and nutrition
I can answer behavioral, nutritional, environmental, characteristic/personality questions as well as general health and health care.
No animal emergency can ever be addressed on the internet. We cannot see your animal, perform an examination, provide necessary care or medication.
Please value your companion for the priceless, living creature they are; not for what you might have paid for them.
Experience Certified Avian Specialist.
For more than 30 years I've worked with veterinarians, protective facilities, nature centers, preserves and on my own in providing care and education with regard to multiple animal species, including raptors (hawks, kestrals, owls, etc) and marsupials. In recent years I've focused on parrots, usually rescued from abusive or less than ideal situations and helping educate owners as to proper care. Expert in behavior studies and modification of problem behavior.
Organizations 4AnimalCare is the organization I run as an animal ministry; World Wildlife Association, Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, National Wildlife Federation Leaders Club and more
Publications Bird Talk Magazine articles about rescued and problem macaws.
Education/Credentials Doctorate, Ordained Minister
Question We adopted a 7yr old Sun Conure last year. He's quite taken with me but was still being good with my husband as well. He was going to stay with someone he knew while we went on vacation. But he is very territorial about his cage and unfortunately my husband started dismantling it while he was still in it, thinking it would be easier to get him out after the cage was empty. Since then the Conure despises my husband and puffs himself up and weaves back and forth with his beak open even when my husband just walks by his cage. And now he's started severely biting my husband when he opens the cage door to let him out in the morning or even when giving him food. If he just stands next to the cage the parrot runs out and bites whatever part he can reach on my husband. How do we break this biting habit? And how can my husband win the trust of the bird back? We've tried having him stand next to the cage and then I stop the bird from biting and when he settles down and acts normally, my husband gives him a reward. But this does not seem to be working. Any advice would be appreciated. This has been happening for approx. 3 months
Answer Well, lesson learned right? I can't imagine it being easier on any owner of a home that's been foreclosed on to have their home knocked down around them. This poor little bird has very strong instincts that rate his home in the top three necessities of life (the other two being procreating and food).
The best way to rectify this is to start all over with this little guy as if he was brand new to you. He's going to appreciate this, but I find that most people have a difficult time keeping the new habits up. We fall into patterns that aren't easy to break
Approach the cage when the bird is calm. Be slow, keep your movements smooth and don’t raise your hands above your own shoulder level – or above the eye level of the bird. Speak with a soft voice and give the bird time to calm down and accept your presence. If it doesn’t adjust relatively quickly, back away until it calms down – the last thing we want is for the bird to injure itself by flailing around in fear.
Remember, patience.
Approach the bird an hour or so after tucking them in for nighttime. The cage should be covered on all sides, leaving just ½ of the front uncovered so they can see out and feel secure. It also insures decent air circulation. The room light would be very dim, but not totally dark. Most birds have poor night vision, unless they’re nocturnal birds like owls and approaching them in total darkness is frightening to them.
At this time, whispering, putting a hand up against the cage and just holding it there is a start. Remember, keep it non-threatening and below their eye level.
When you notice a calm stretch of a wing and leg slowly out to the side and back, mimic the action with your own arm slowly stretching out to the side and softly stay engaged vocally (“what a good bird you are”, “that’s a pretty bird”, etc).
After just a few minutes of nice interaction, leave them be for their night and the next day use the same tone of voice and slow, calm movements around them.
Open the cage door (as long as your bird is not panicking and will be safe if they escape, unable to get to places you cannot recover them from) and offer your finger/hand just above the feet and gently touching at the breast area there say “step up”. This command is important to use every time so that when the bird hears it they know it’s time to be on hand/finger.
Remember to respect your bird. Sometimes it won’t feel like stepping up or interacting, just like sometimes you might not feel like doing something. That should be ok. Try again later.
Don’t wake a bird up to play and don’t interrupt them while they’re eating.
Once you’ve convinced your bird to get on your hand, you’ve accomplished a very important step. Birds don’t want to bite where they’re perching (your hand), so keep your arm/hand very firm and still. If you do get bit just giving them an “earthquake” a gentle shaking of your hand, but not enough to dislodge them or cause them to feel insecure, will often distract them.
I’ve also found that walking quickly into a different room (which isn’t hard to do with a big macaw chomping down on my arm like a pit bull) will surprise them enough to stop. Suddenly, in new surroundings, I’m their best friend.
If you cannot get your bird to cooperate right away with hands, remember, you’ve got years ahead of you – it’s worth it to do this right. Try just placing your hand in the cage for a minute and letting them get used to it being there. Having a treat in hand will help make your fingers a positive thing.
Continue the night whispering and no matter what, don’t give up.
