Parrots are the most intelligent of all birds. You can teach them to talk, whistle and mimic sounds. They love to play and interact with people, and many parrot owners have a close relationship with their birds.
But what happens when your parrot doesn’t behave as you expect it to? How do you know if your bird is just being mischievous or if it’s exhibiting abnormal behavior? And what should you do about it?
Parrots can develop behavior problems like biting, screaming, and feather plucking if they are neglected or abused. This article will help you understand the different types of parrot behavior and how to handle them.
Five Harmless Things Parrots do Every Day
If you’re a parrot owner, you know that your feathered friend can be a handful. They’re not always the easiest pets to have around the house, but some things about them are too cute to ignore. Let’s take a look!
Beaking
Beaking is a normal part of a baby parrot’s behavior. They learn about their environment by chewing on things – so don’t be surprised if you see bite marks on your hand. This is a normal part of their development.
The best way to deal with this behavior is to try to distract your parrot from the object they are beaking by offering something else for them to chew on instead. A piece of block or chain makes a great substitute for your fingers!
Beak Grinding
Beak grinding is quite common in birds, and it’s often an indication of how relaxed they are.
When you see your bird exhibiting this behavior, it means they feel comfortable enough to sleep. If you notice your bird is not beak grinding and shows aggressive behavior, it may be time to check out its environment or ensure the diet is up to par.
Beak Wiping
Beak wiping is an important part of parrot hygiene. A parrot will clean their beak by rubbing it against the feet, feathers, or perch.
Biting
Parrots, like any other animal, will bite if they feel threatened. They also bite if they are upset, frustrated, bored, sleepy, or hungry.
Your parrot has limited ways to communicate with you, so you must pay attention to the signals your bird is sending.
If your parrot bites or nips you and pulls away quickly, it’s likely that it was trying to get your attention — it wanted you to notice it and respond to its needs.
Some parrots may bite out of fear or frustration when they are being petted too much.
Hiding
Parrots hide in their cages for a variety of reasons. They may be frightened by the presence of a new visitor or other animals in the room. They may be tired and want to nap.
In these situations, it’s best to leave your parrot alone until they’ve had some time to settle down, then approach them slowly and carefully.
If you notice your parrot is hiding more than usual or seems unusually quiet, consider taking them to the avian veterinarian for a checkup. Hiding in a cage can also be a sign of illness.
Four Parrot Behavior Problems and How to Deal with Them
You’re probably familiar with the routine of caring for your feathered friend, but what happens when the usual routine goes out the window, and your bird decides to do something unexpected? We’re here to help you deal with your parrot’s most common behavior problems.
Screaming
For some parrot owners, loud squawking or screaming becomes a daily headache. Many parrot owners consider excessive screaming one of their pet birds’ most undesirable behaviors. The best way to reduce excessive vocalization is to identify and correct the underlying cause.
While normal vocalization is necessary to maintain their health, problem screaming can occur from factors like stress, boredom, and depression. A parrot behavior consultant can help modify your bird’s behavior if your avian veterinarian has ruled out any medical condition.
They may also recommend diet changes or enrichment activities to help keep your bird happy and healthy.
Destructive Tendencies
Parrot behavior can be destructive for many reasons. Parrots should have an enriched environment to keep them stimulated and happy. They should not live in dusty cages or in isolation.
Retraining parrots with behavioral problems can take a while and will only be successful if the bird has a healthy and stable home life. They may become destructive if they don’t get enough love and attention.
Destructive behavior could also be a sign that you have not bonded with your feathered companion. If this is the case, invest time in creating an environment where you and your pet can enjoy each other’s company. Spend plenty of time with your bird, so it does not feel neglected or unwanted.
Territoriality
Territoriality is usually caused by hormone fluctuations common in the breeding season. While territoriality is a common behavioral trait of pet birds, it may result from poor husbandry, a lack of interaction with their owner, or an unsatisfactory environment.
The first step to fixing this behavior is to figure out why it is occurring. Are there any changes happening in your household? Is someone new coming into your home? Monitoring how your parrot reacts to changes is important before making any drastic alterations or decisions regarding his care or well-being.
Bonding techniques will make you and your parrot get used to each other’s presence. Spend time together daily, get your bird used to human touch and handling, and ensure that your parrot feels safe and comfortable around you.
Feather Plucking
Feather plucking can mean your pet parrot is unhappy, anxious, or stressed in its current environment. It can also be a sign of psittacine beak and feather disease, which can be deadly if not treated promptly. Your birds may require expert care from professional avian handlers.
Lack of socialization and confinement are the biggest causes of feather picking. If your parrot is confined to a cage all day, it will learn to become anxious and may indulge in self-destructive behavior such as plucking feathers.
To keep your bird healthy, ensure the cage is clean and large enough for your pet to move around and climb. Choose their food carefully – many parrots mindlessly chew on wood and paper to relieve stress.
Final Words
Parrot behavior problems can be extremely frustrating, but are also completely natural. If you notice your parrot exhibiting abnormal behavior, figure out what might be causing it. The solution may be as simple as introducing new toys or changing your pet’s routine.
But if you suspect something more serious may be going on and want some advice from an expert, we recommend consulting an avian vet.
Harlan Derricks, nice to meet you. I created this online resource in the hopes of educating more people about the wonders of parrots, including their species, sizes, and more.
But I don’t just want to stop with parrots. I want to give every bird an opportunity to be marveled at and rescued by my education. If just one of my readers learned something valuable about budgies, cockatiels, or parakeets, then I’d be happy with my success.
