Budgie Biting Drawing Blood

[cookiesmom]

Help! My male budgie is about 6 months old. He seems to like being with me--even regurgitated millet for me once. He will even fly upstairs to be with me, and enjoys our time together--he will sing and groom himself. But, now he wants to bite all the time. SERIOUSLY--ALL THE TIME. What am I doing wrong? I am very gentle with him.

If my skin is covered up, he's happy to sit on my shoulder , and fly to me. Now, he is biting my face. When he was biting my arms, I tried at first to ignore it, but now he draws blood. His wings are not clipped. I don't get it.

Yes, I am a first time budgie owner. I don't know what to do. Please please help.


I should mention he is a smart little cookie. He has learned he can climb into the seed containers and climb out. Any ideas?

[Hezz]

Your budgie is a teenager and like any teenager, is pushing the boundaries to see what he can and can't get away with. Are you sure he really is a he? Hens are generally the more ferocious biters, not that the cocks can't as well. This little bird probably doesn't even know what he is doing wrong, it is all instinct at this age, so it is up to you to make sure that he understands that biting results in being ignored, good behaviour is reqarded etc. Exactly how you implement this is up to you, but for the time being restrict his access to your face.

While you haven't said you are thinking of it, I just want to get in first and say - don't clip his wings! He will not understand that at all. His behaviour is hormonal, and most budgies, particularly the boys, grow out of it over the next few months. Usually within their first 12 months. Remember that his biting is very natural; don't yell at him or hit him (God forbid) but you can use a command such as No! It sounds to me that ignoring him immediately after might work with this one.

[Learner]

I agree with Hezz - I wouldn't shout but if one of my lovelies bit me for no reason and I wasn't expecting it I'd probably react with "Ouch" or "Ow" pretty loudly. I think that might have the desired effect.

One or two of mine have taken to pulling my hair (even after a short hair-cut). When I lean into their indoor flight to reach a food bowl or hoover they take advantage of my head being below one of the perches and have a little play. The other day when some were flying around the bird-room one decided my head would make a good perch... I wasn't so keen on the feel of budgie claws tramping around upon my thinning mop as I wasn't expecting it. He soon took off again realising where he was... more a flight plan error than an intention to use me as a helipad.

Just let your bird know it's not what you want - saying "No" or "Ouch!" might just do it. I wouldn't put up with it as I'm sure your bird would soon let you know if you tried something he (she?) didn't like. Just make sure you don't frighten him.

Good luck.