The best thing you can do if your bird bites is to gently put the bird down—just like giving a time-out to a child having a tantrum—and walk away. Try not to acknowledge the behavior.
Punishment isn't effective in correcting bad habits in birds. Most bird pet owners find out that getting or removing away undesirable things from their pets could be a firm way to control their bad behaviors. Punishing them by physical force is not good for them because it may lead to more aggressive behavior.
Birds will truly bite now and then, but only if they are frightened, startled, or if they feel cornered and vulnerable. Chances are that your bird is not trying to be aggressive, as biting is not a dominance behavior in birds.
Many birds may bite when they are feeling playful and are over-stimulated. Amazons and Cockatoos are especially prone to “overload” behavior. Know your bird's body language and avoid trying to handle a bird that is obviously excited.
However, birds can and do get angry, especially if you threaten their nests. If you get too close to a bird's nest, you may be seen as a predator. In that case, prepare to come face to face with an angry bird!
You must ignore the bite. I understand why this advice is given. Sometimes parrots use their beaks to test objects (texture or structure of a jewel, for example). Paying attention to his bird during this behavior could result in a positive reinforcement.
Trauma is a common presentation for avian patients. Cat or dog bite wounds or large birds attacking smaller birds all occur frequently. Pet birds allowed to roam or fly freely in the house can become injured flying into walls, windows, or ceiling fans, or falling off shoulders, play gyms, or the top of their cage.
The bird must be trained to know that he is not the dominant member of the family flock, and all family members must establish dominance over the bird. The easiest way to do this is to control the bird's movement. When you are removing him from his perch or cage, give the 'up' command.
According to another a study published in the journal Animal Behaviour, ravens which include crows, jays and magpies, have the ability to 'hold grudges' for up to two years.
Aggression in parrots can be a serious problem, leading to unhappy birds and even unhappier owners. Causes of aggression in parrots include territoriality, hormonal fluxes during adolescence or breeding season, stress, lack of mental stimulation, and dominance issues, to name a few.
Life in captivity is often a death sentence for birds, who may suffer from malnutrition, an improper environment, loneliness, and the stress of confinement. Birds are meant to fly and be with others of their own kind in a natural environment. Confinement causes birds to have temper tantrums and mood swings.
The most common causes of aggression in birds are fear or previous traumatic experiences. These can lead to handling problems, bites, and attacks when birds are interacting with their owners and others.
Most birds will exhibit aggressive behavior when they feel threatened. Birds that are guarding a nest are more likely to respond aggressively towards an encroaching person or animal.
Move slowly, but deliberately and talk quietly to the bird as you introduce the stick into the cage toward the bird's upper legs and lower chest area. Once the bird is comfortable perching on a stick, you can move the hand holding the stick closer to the bird until the hand replaces the stick as the perch.
When a parrot gets aggressive, it is usually due to some type of hormonal behavior. Generally it is territorial, but it can also be due to frustration at you not being a viable mate.
Talk silly or sing to him. Give your bird your full attention as you gently preen his feathers or give him gentle head scratches. Also, bear in mind that an important part of interacting with your pet bird is paying attention to his body language.
Medium and large psittacines are restrained by holding the head/neck firmly just underneath the base of the mandibles. The feet are controlled with the other hand, and the bird is gently stretched between the holder's two hands to prevent the bird from struggling or reaching around and biting.