![]() ![]() ![]() While all of these inappropriate behaviors are commonly related to the above circumstances, medical issues should always be ruled out as causes. If behavior modification alone is not successful, behavior modification drugs such as fluoxetine can be added to the treatment plan. If these inappropriate behaviors become established, behavior modification is often used to try to eliminate the behaviors. Parrots displaying hormonal behaviors during breeding season should be handled carefully because they can become more aggressive during this time of year. They should also not have perches that allow them to be taller than their owners. If at all possible, parrots should not be allowed on shoulders. To prevent biting, it is important to not put the bird in a situation where it might bite and to not overreact in the event that a bite does occur. If the person getting bit responds by jerking his or her hand away and yells at the bird, it actually encourages the biting behavior. A dominance component can also play a role in biting, as parrots are also more likely to bite if they are able to perch above their owners. Some people also use their fingers as toys with young mouthy parrots that don’t have the bite force of an adult bird eventually, the parrots might bite down harder than expected. They might also use their beak to grab on to a person to help balance themselves. ![]() ![]() If they become suddenly startled, they might latch on to whatever is closest to them…an ear, hand, finger. As a prey species, parrots can be flighty. Biting is not a natural behavior, but parrots do naturally use their beak to climb around and to forage. In the wild, parrots do not typically bite each other. The best thing the owner can do is to encourage the screaming at appropriate times.īiting can be caused due to fear or inadvertent positive reinforcement by the owners. Parrots will still scream, even if they are perfectly content. The more time the parrot spends doing these appropriate behaviors, the less time the parrot has to get bored or frustrated. They should be part of their human "flock." They should also be supplied with a vast assortment of toys and other items that encourage appropriate chewing and foraging behaviors. To prevent these unwanted behaviors, parrots should be allowed several hours out of their cage everyday to exercise their wings and spend time with their owners. As a result, many parrots become bored and/or frustrated and start screaming a lot or plucking at their feathers. Many are left with very little in their cage to keep them occupied, and they are often alone for several hours. They often can’t forage for food the way they would in the wild, and they can’t search for a mate. In captivity, birds are often kept in a cage and do not have the opportunity to behave the way they would in the wild. Almost all Psittacine birds (AKA Parrots) form monogamous pairs that mate for life. This is especially true for the larger parrots, like macaws and cockatoos. They use their incredibly loud calls to communicate with each other from miles away. In the wild, they spend a large part of their day foraging for food. Parrots are incredibly smart, and, unlike dogs and cats, are not domesticated. Screaming and feather plucking are often the result of bored and frustrated birds. Unfortunately, these behaviors are also very common reasons so many parrots end up in shelters or getting shuffled around from home to home. Most inappropriate behaviors by tame pet parrots are due to a lack of attention or understanding by their owners. ![]()
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