My bitey Cherry Head

[Barbara Bain]

Hi. I'm new to this forum. I'm struggling a bit with my 1year old female Cherry Headed Conure. She is very bitey lately. I am aware she is having hormonal changes and thinks my arm is her honey. But she insists on biting my ears a lot. A white bellied caique joined the flock and was wondering if both the hormones and jealousy could be the cause. And what do I do to limit this biting since my ears need ear muffs and I don't want to be upset with her. Help...please.

 

[Birdbabe]

Bump!

 

[sunnysmom]

It could be both? How many hours of sleep does she get? You may have to stop letting her on your shoulders until the biting passes.

 

[Barbara Bain]

We have music time for 730 to 830 then off to bed. She wakes about 730 am so 11 hours. She has always been bitey but it has gotten so much worse. She laughs when i threaten to turn into a pug bird or have tiny little drum sticks for dinner. [Joking of course].

 

[Monica]

Your best bet is to avoid situations where you know she'll bite and to redirect the behavior before it occurs. If she does end up biting you, get her off you and figure out how you could avoid that situation in the future.


Have you done any target training with her?

 

[Lodah]

If your fid has already established a bad habit... it is going to take a while to reverse the behavior! Remove the effect and the cause will diminish with time and training... there are no short cuts, just patience, positive reinforcement and training!

Let us know how you go!

 

[Barbara Bain]

Well, an amazing thing happened. Emie attempted to take my ear off two nights ago. I gave her a 15 minute time out and covered her cage. We did this three times and have not had to do it again. Two days and my ears are still whole. Amazing.

Thanx everyone for your suggestions and caring. I love Emie Rose and want her to be happy and curious about her world.

 

[Monica]

Her biting your ears could have been her being curious about her world - and you in it. Or maybe she was trying to tell you something?

 

[Barbara Bain]

Yes. Like get off the phone when my mom calls or why did you have to bring home my baby brother Caique.