Adult budgie only now starting to bite

[hannah7733]

My female budgie, Puff, is now 2 and a half years old. She has always been extremely tame and sweet, loving kisses, head scratches and just sitting on me all the time. But over the course of the last year she has been gradually getting more and more nippy. First she started going for my finger if I went to scratch her head, and then instead of just stepping on my finger she'd pounce on it with a bite and then sit up like that was normal. I tried the usual advice of ignoring it but now she's started biting my lips and face. 

I don't know what to do to get her back to being as tame as she was. She is very well looked after, she has toys everywhere, never put in her cage (only for bed), she even gets the heating and lights on all day while I'm at work. She still likes sitting with me, but any attempt to kiss or touch her is usually met with a bite. 

Please let me know if there's anything I can do?!!

[helenmat]

Do you still play with her as much as you used to and does she spent more time on her own that she did?
I think she is probably telling you that she doesn't want you to touch her. Try doing just the things that you know she likes and see if she still tries to bite you. Also when she does bite, give a firm NO. Reward for good behaviour with a treat and hopefully she will get the message that its not acceptable.

[Hezz]

It is a myth that ignoring bites from any pet is the way to go. You don't ignore a dog or cat biting, so why do so with your bird? If her a firm NO, or another sharp sound (I use a noise similar to what they use with each other), point your finger at her, put on your frowny face and your growly voice. These do all help your bird to understand that you are unhappy with her.

The other thing to do after growling her is to put her down, somewhere, anywhere, as long as it is not on you. Don't take the time to walk back to her cage - too long - just put her off you, and straight away. If she comes back straight away, tell her "play nice", "be good" whatever, and repeat if/when she bites again.

[ffiscool]

does she have the tv or radio on when you are out? Wondering if some other stimulus could help. I do not know if they are this clever, but cats I know can do things 'to teach you a lesson' if you have gone out or left them.

[helenmat]

So do parrots. My dad has an Green Amazon and he sometimes leaves him with me if he goes away, normally he can do anything and I mean anything with this bird but when he comes back to get him after being away he will always get bitten without fail.

[hannah7733]

Dec 12, 2018 19:18:30 GMT helenmat said:

Do you still play with her as much as you used to and does she spent more time on her own that she did?
I think she is probably telling you that she doesn't want you to touch her. Try doing just the things that you know she likes and see if she still tries to bite you. Also when she does bite, give a firm NO. Reward for good behaviour with a treat and hopefully she will get the message that its not acceptable.

Thank you for the replies, sorry I didn't get back sooner - I didn't get any notifications.

I do play with her as much as I always have. I do work full time but I always have, but other than that I barely leave her. In fact I avoid going out or taking too long when I'm out because I don't like leaving her.

[hannah7733]

Dec 12, 2018 19:42:16 GMT Hezz said:

It is a myth that ignoring bites from any pet is the way to go. You don't ignore a dog or cat biting, so why do so with your bird? If her a firm NO, or another sharp sound (I use a noise similar to what they use with each other), point your finger at her, put on your frowny face and your growly voice. These do all help your bird to understand that you are unhappy with her.

The other thing to do after growling her is to put her down, somewhere, anywhere, as long as it is not on you. Don't take the time to walk back to her cage - too long - just put her off you, and straight away. If she comes back straight away, tell her "play nice", "be good" whatever, and repeat if/when she bites again.

Thank you for the advice. I've always read that if you react in any way with a bird bite or bad behaviour then they see it as attention and so continue to do it. But now I'll try telling her off and putting her down if you don't think its too late?

[hannah7733]

Dec 14, 2018 15:48:11 GMT ffiscool said:

does she have the tv or radio on when you are out? Wondering if some other stimulus could help. I do not know if they are this clever, but cats I know can do things 'to teach you a lesson' if you have gone out or left them.

No she doesn't usually have a TV or radio on. I did buy her a radio so I could put it on more often and see if it helps.

[Hezz]

It is not too late to turn her around. Never too late; it might just take a little longer is all. Do make sure that everything is right with her, though; make sure she isn't injured or sick, is there something upsetting her that is new? Did you change a toy, or add a new one? Unusual, or unexplained behaviours can have their origins in ill-health.