Bentley the biter

[Starlight]

Hello,

We recently got a 3-month-old linnie from a local breeder and have had him for almost a month now. As he's the first bird we've ever owned, we've come across a few challenges and have some questions.

Initially, when we brought him home, he was very timid but gradually warmed up to us. He started to greet us whenever someone entered the room and would take treats from our hands. However, about a week ago, his behavior suddenly changed. He has become extremely bitey and territorial. He now attacks anyone attempting to clean his cage or provide fresh food and water. Additionally, he bites our hands or fingers when we try to offer him treats and lunges at the bars when someone approaches to greet him.

This change in behavior has taken us by surprise as nothing has happened to provoke it. We haven't been able to pet him or interact with him much since he was initially wild from an aviary. We've been focusing on gaining his trust by offering treats, but he now seems very angry.

Has anyone else experienced something similar with their birds? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Dona]

Welcome Megan and Bentley!

Many Linnies are hand shy. Although incredibly fond of me, my well socialized friendly 6.5 year old Linnie would really prefer I never touch her or her things. Gigi is never going to be a cockatiel bowing her head down for a skritch but she will spend hours on my shoulder, chortling and preening my hair.

You could consider taking a step back. Sometimes new owners can unknowingly use "flooding" where they push a bird into activities that are uncomfortable and the new bird might comply for a while. But then they might eventually react with some of the behaviors you are seeing. I'd try keeping my hands to myself the best that you can. Service the cage fast and then just sit with him. Whistle and talk sweetly. I wouldn't try to pet or offer food from a hand that might scare him. See if that helps and if it does, your Bentley might be hand shy too. If you tell us a little more about your set up perhaps others will chime in with ideas.

Linnie Landing is a little slow because Linnies aren't easy to find. Here's an update I wrote about my girl some time ago. You have a lot of fun to look forward to!

Want to read an update on Gigi?

Gigi turned 5 in February! I had never heard of a Linnie on that day I wandered into The Parrot's Nest. I'm so glad Brian convinced me that a Linnie was the bird for me. Gigi happily eats Roudybush pellets, mixed veggies, Nutriberries and apples. Apparently she's not as food motivated as some...

forums.avianavenue.com

 

[April]

@Mizzely

 

[Mizzely]

I've had a Linnie for about 1.5 years now and he's still really shy and cage aggressive.

I pretty much only clean his cage when he is out of it, and I just let him stay out most of the day. He goes back when he's done. He's definitely not a people bird; he much prefers the other birds in the house.

 

[Starlight]

Welcome Megan and Bentley!

Many Linnies are hand shy. Although incredibly fond of me, my well socialized friendly 6.5 year old Linnie would really prefer I never touch her or her things. Gigi is never going to be a cockatiel bowing her head down for a skritch but she will spend hours on my shoulder, chortling and preening my hair.

You could consider taking a step back. Sometimes new owners can unknowingly use "flooding" where they push a bird into activities that are uncomfortable and the new bird might comply for a while. But then they might eventually react with some of the behaviors you are seeing. I'd try keeping my hands to myself the best that you can. Service the cage fast and then just sit with him. Whistle and talk sweetly. I wouldn't try to pet or offer food from a hand that might scare him. See if that helps and if it does, your Bentley might be hand shy too. If you tell us a little more about your set up perhaps others will chime in with ideas.

Linnie Landing is a little slow because Linnies aren't easy to find. Here's an update I wrote about my girl some time ago. You have a lot of fun to look forward to!

Want to read an update on Gigi?

Gigi turned 5 in February! I had never heard of a Linnie on that day I wandered into The Parrot's Nest. I'm so glad Brian convinced me that a Linnie was the bird for me. Gigi happily eats Roudybush pellets, mixed veggies, Nutriberries and apples. Apparently she's not as food motivated as some...

forums.avianavenue.com

Welcome Megan and Bentley!

Many Linnies are hand shy. Although incredibly fond of me, my well socialized friendly 6.5 year old Linnie would really prefer I never touch her or her things. Gigi is never going to be a cockatiel bowing her head down for a skritch but she will spend hours on my shoulder, chortling and preening my hair.

You could consider taking a step back. Sometimes new owners can unknowingly use "flooding" where they push a bird into activities that are uncomfortable and the new bird might comply for a while. But then they might eventually react with some of the behaviors you are seeing. I'd try keeping my hands to myself the best that you can. Service the cage fast and then just sit with him. Whistle and talk sweetly. I wouldn't try to pet or offer food from a hand that might scare him. See if that helps and if it does, your Bentley might be hand shy too. If you tell us a little more about your set up perhaps others will chime in with ideas.

Linnie Landing is a little slow because Linnies aren't easy to find. Here's an update I wrote about my girl some time ago. You have a lot of fun to look forward to!

Want to read an update on Gigi?

Gigi turned 5 in February! I had never heard of a Linnie on that day I wandered into The Parrot's Nest. I'm so glad Brian convinced me that a Linnie was the bird for me. Gigi happily eats Roudybush pellets, mixed veggies, Nutriberries and apples. Apparently she's not as food motivated as some...

forums.avianavenue.com

Thank you so much for the warm welcome and helpful advice! I really appreciate it. I had no idea they were hand shy when we got him, so we'll definitely take your advice and give Bentley some space, sitting with him and interacting in a way that's more comfortable for him.

Currently, Bentley is in a mini Santa Fe cage with hanging rope toys, wooden perches, shredding toys, and things he can chew on, but he loves his spiral rope toy with a little bell on the bottom the most! He's also on the original food from the breeder, with the occasional bit of millet as a treat. Thanks again for sharing your experience with Gigi!

 

[Starlight]

I've had a Linnie for about 1.5 years now and he's still really shy and cage aggressive.

I pretty much only clean his cage when he is out of it, and I just let him stay out most of the day. He goes back when he's done. He's definitely not a people bird; he much prefers the other birds in the house.

Thank you for sharing your experience! Our plan was to let Bentley out most of the time as well, but I'm concerned about how to get him back into the cage. Additionally, there are places in the room he could get behind and potentially get stuck, and I'm unsure how to manage that as I don’t want to grab him and make him scared, do you have any tips?

 

[Mizzely]

Thank you for sharing your experience! Our plan was to let Bentley out most of the time as well, but I'm concerned about how to get him back into the cage. Additionally, there are places in the room he could get behind and potentially get stuck, and I'm unsure how to manage that as I don’t want to grab him and make him scared, do you have any tips?

I have had several birds over the years that were untamed and/or hand shy, and haven't had many issues. Getting them back to the cage tends to be the easiest honestly. I purposely only feed in the cage so they return when they are hungry. I just shut the door behind them at the end of the day.

Quibble (my Bourke's) got behind a shelf the first day I let him out We used a towel to catch him and then we released him. Then we made changes to the room to make it so he couldn't get back there anymore (we used curtains).

Yeah, it's not ideal to have to catch them but you can plan every detail to the centimeter and they will still figure out ways to get in trouble Best you can do is try and anticipate and go from there.

 

[Starlight]

I have had several birds over the years that were untamed and/or hand shy, and haven't had many issues. Getting them back to the cage tends to be the easiest honestly. I purposely only feed in the cage so they return when they are hungry. I just shut the door behind them at the end of the day.

Quibble (my Bourke's) got behind a shelf the first day I let him out We used a towel to catch him and then we released him. Then we made changes to the room to make it so he couldn't get back there anymore (we used curtains).

Yeah, it's not ideal to have to catch them but you can plan every detail to the centimeter and they will still figure out ways to get in trouble Best you can do is try and anticipate and go from there.

Oh my goodness, Quibble surely had an adventure that day! but thats helpful to know I’m just worried that if we had to grab him it would ruin the little bit of trust he’s built up but I suppose its for the best if he ever gets stuck! But ill try to make sure we close off any small gaps and hopefully let him have a chance to fly around soon, Thanks for the reply!

 

[Dona]

As @Mizzely said, I do the same. I only offer food in the cage. At the end of out time I tell Gigi "it's Nutriberry time!" and she flies right back and I close the door.

Your cage setup sounds great and Gigi loves her boing as well.

I have a play gym from BeMore Birds. Our member @Matto builds them and also has Linnies. You'll see Gigi pictured on her gym in Matt's advertisement.

BeMoreBirdSupplies - Etsy

Shop BeMore Birds - Leg Bands, Bird Stands, Gyms, and Toys by BeMoreBirdSupplies located in Baltimore, Maryland. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher

www.etsy.com

 

[Starlight]

As @Mizzely said, I do the same. I only offer food in the cage. At the end of out time I tell Gigi "it's Nutriberry time!" and she flies right back and I close the door.

Your cage setup sounds great and Gigi loves her boing as well.

I have a play gym from BeMore Birds. Our member @Matto builds them and also has Linnies. You'll see Gigi pictured on her gym in Matt's advertisement.

BeMoreBirdSupplies - Etsy

Shop BeMore Birds - Leg Bands, Bird Stands, Gyms, and Toys by BeMoreBirdSupplies located in Baltimore, Maryland. Rave reviews! Average review rating is 4.8 or higher

www.etsy.com

Wow! How did you teach this? Did you start announcing its food time from the start and used it as something to encourage them to come back or was it something they learned overtime?

i checked out his Etsy and they look amazing! I’ll definitely look into getting Bentley one as I’m sure he would enjoy it! I was also thinking about getting him some nutriberrys too! Is there any other treats or toys you would recommend?

 

[Starlight]

Hello,

We recently got a 3-month-old linnie from a local breeder and have had him for almost a month now. As he's the first bird we've ever owned, we've come across a few challenges and have some questions.

Initially, when we brought him home, he was very timid but gradually warmed up to us. He started to greet us whenever someone entered the room and would take treats from our hands. However, about a week ago, his behavior suddenly changed. He has become extremely bitey and territorial. He now attacks anyone attempting to clean his cage or provide fresh food and water. Additionally, he bites our hands or fingers when we try to offer him treats and lunges at the bars when someone approaches to greet him.

This change in behavior has taken us by surprise as nothing has happened to provoke it. We haven't been able to pet him or interact with him much since he was initially wild from an aviary. We've been focusing on gaining his trust by offering treats, but he now seems very angry.

Has anyone else experienced something similar with their birds? Any advice or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

A little update! some good news about Bentley! Since yesterday he’s quite the Social butterfly he happily runs over to greet us and we’ve had very few biting encounters / attacks the only ones being when he finishes a treat and gets angry! He’s now happily taking treats off my hand again and will eat his treat over my hand and pick up the little piece that fall off onto my hand and eat them but the second he finishes it he will start biting which I’m now questioning do i take the bite and ignore it so he doesn’t get any attention (although negative) from it and get him another treat to make him happy again but I don’t want to reward the bad behaviour of him biting by giving him a treat, or just pull away and walk away from him but I’m really not sure what the right thing to do is?
Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Dona]

Wow! How did you teach this? Did you start announcing its food time from the start and used it as something to encourage them to come back or was it something they learned overtime?
i checked out his Etsy and they look amazing! I’ll definitely look into getting Bentley one as I’m sure he would enjoy it! I was also thinking about getting him some nutriberrys too! Is there any other treats or toys you would recommend?

Gigi seems to know so much of what I'm saying. I guess I said "Nutri-berry Time!" so many times that she figured it out. It wasn't intentional, I guess I'm just very chatty with her. She knows "Night night time" and gets to her sleep perch, "Do you want a shower?" and she fluffs up before she sees any water, and many more. But here's how I taught "Tail flare?" When I put her to bed I noticed that as I dimmed the light she looked down and flared so often, maybe lighting looked funny, so I started saying "Tail flare?" right at that moment and now she does it on request. Gigi doesn't say any words but she does 3 trick whistles. I taught them with one of those little recorders and she does them often.

Gigi does like Nutriberries and has one every day. It's super cute how Linnies hold things with their feet so that's fun to watch. I did recently start her on the Linnie Mix from Chirp Central. She was sick in February and I felt like her feathers looked dull when she recovered. CC advertises that it gives a glow so I thought I'd try it out. Well, Gigi loves it! It's just been a month but it's a solid yes.

Lineolated Parakeet

Linnie Mix - proper food for the Lineolated Parakeet has been a mystery for ages, but this mix for your Linnie is sure to bring them into the best condition of their lives.

chirpcentral.com

Gigi doesn't play like she did as a young Linnie and I think that's common, but she likes sola wood and wicker type toys. Easy to destroy and satisfying. She also likes toys that are long and dangling so she can drape them over herself and place them on different sides of the perches. She has a long toy that she sleeps next to and always drapes it in front of the perch, then leans against it.

 

[Mizzely]

My Linnie likes Sola, balsa, some thin pine, noisy toys, and anything he can have draped over his back.

I make a lot of his toys

Lil Monsters Bird Toys

Handcrafted toys for small parrots with an emphasis on foraging and destruction!

lilmonstersbirdtoys.com

 

[Dona]

A little update! some good news about Bentley! Since yesterday he’s quite the Social butterfly he happily runs over to greet us and we’ve had very few biting encounters / attacks the only ones being when he finishes a treat and gets angry! He’s now happily taking treats off my hand again and will eat his treat over my hand and pick up the little piece that fall off onto my hand and eat them but the second he finishes it he will start biting which I’m now questioning do i take the bite and ignore it so he doesn’t get any attention (although negative) from it and get him another treat to make him happy again but I don’t want to reward the bad behaviour of him biting by giving him a treat, or just pull away and walk away from him but I’m really not sure what the right thing to do is?
Any advice is greatly appreciated

Encouraging news! I've had birds (mostly large parrots) all my life and my goal is to not get bitten. The bird bites, you respond, they love the drama, they feel rewarded, it repeats... it's a nightmare. But if bitten, I'd show little emotion and walk away. I haven't always been successful with this but I think it's the best response. Are you feeding him on your hand, up in the air? Maybe drop down to your lap or a table. Then get your hand out of there before he finishes. Maybe be ready with a second treat and deposit that on the table for him or something like that. Honestly for me I would not feed with my hands if he continues to bite me. Like how a bird that bites can't be on your shoulder. Try to break the habit. He's just a baby, trying stuff out. Let him know this isn't working for you.