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 My sun conure, Spot, is 3 months old and over the past week has started pinching. He spends a good amount of time out of his cage, we play and talk to him a lot. He has started pinching, but he only pinches us on freckles, moles or birth marks. He pinches my husband some, but he has a lot of freckles so it seems that they don't interest Spot a lot. I have a few freckles on my arms and a mole on my chin that Spot loves to go after. He has made me bleed a couple of times. It is almost like he is trying to nip the freckle or mole off of me. How can I get him to stop? I don't think he is trying to hurt me because he is fine if he can't see the freckles or moles.
Answer In order to teach them that it’s not acceptable for us to be pinched or nipped at, when Spot goes for the spots, stop everything. Remove him from your presence, be very quiet about it and give him 1 to 5 minutes of silence, no eye contact, no interaction, etc..
Then start over again.
You have to be consistent with this method. You can tell him "no biting" or "don't bite" in a firm voice (not yelling) immediately after it happens and as you're about to "shun" them for the 1-5 minutes (any longer than this is ineffective).
To be honest, I have a macaw that does this and I just let her. When she gets too enthusiastic and it starts to hurt, I tell her "gentle" and take her beak between my fingers, holding it for a few seconds while being silent and looking as stern as I can.
She completely understands this and it keeps her from hurting me most of the time.
