Nipping>>>Biting | African Grey Parrot Boards

stepuptimneh
Just Hatched

Joined: October 2005
Posts: 9

Nipping>>>Biting Nov 18, 2005 13:44:42 GMT -7

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Post by stepuptimneh on Nov 18, 2005 13:44:42 GMT -7

My TAG is about 16 months old, and for the ten months we've had him he hasn't had any problems with biting, just ocassional nipping. Now, when I go near him, he bites. And not just nipping, harder than that, but he's never broken the skin. If I go near him sometimes if he is in a bad mood, he will actually lunge out to bite.

He will also ask for head rubs, and I can tell he's not about to bite, but when I try to rub his head, he sometimes gets aggravated and bites again. I have school during the day from 8:00 to 2:30, and I cannot spend time with him then, but there is always someone in the house that can hold him. It's not just me who is getting nipped, though. Is this just a phase?
Or is he feeling attention deprived?

Jane
Global Moderator

Mitzi and Monty

Joined: January 2005
Posts: 10,612

Nipping>>>Biting Nov 18, 2005 14:46:23 GMT -7

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Post by Jane on Nov 18, 2005 14:46:23 GMT -7

This is something which comes up quite a lot and it is most likely to do with his age. They can get quite aggressive and bitey around this sort of age. I had a phase like this with Monty but it does pass. Watch him closely when you rub his head; if his eyes are closed or he is looking down you are probably safe from a bite. Try not to react to the bites and try not to let him get higher up than you as this can make them worse.

Jane

Somewhere in another universe, dear brother, you got saved.

jacksdad
Just Hatched

Joined: October 2005
Posts: 7

Nipping>>>Biting Nov 20, 2005 2:49:37 GMT -7

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Post by jacksdad on Nov 20, 2005 2:49:37 GMT -7

I've had jack now for 2 months and he does bite if I try to touch him. I just ordered a few more books (second hand parrot) is one of them. Hopefully it gives me alot more info in dealing with my troubles 4 year old TAG. I cant move me hand too close but he wil step up when asked to. Sometimes he puts up quite a fuss. I;ve gotten bitten only in the first month. I guess now he's realizing I'm the boss. He needs alot more guidance in how to behave because the previous owners didn;t do much with him. Yes he hurts when he bit and I had the bloody hands to prove it. I guess time tames the savage beast.. :-)