Ya know...when you think you've only HEARD of something....

[Luckygurl78]

....it happens to you!

Today, while I was petting my beloved triton 2, he leaned over and bit me...IN THE FACE! That's right my new avian-loving pals...I was bit (and quite hard) by my 2 just above my left eyebrow. It cost me a trip to the emergency room, five stitches and a tetanus shot. Whoopee.

The short version of the story goes like this:

I was getting some clothes together to go over to my boyfiend's. (for those of you not "in the know", my boyfriend and I are moving in together..). Well, I had him out of his cage and everything was fine. I was petting him...putting clothes together, petting him again and then WHAMMO! Right in the face. Lucky simply ran inside his cage, I (saying nothing to him...not even a cry of pain...) simply locked him back up, called my boyfriend and told him to meet me at the emergency room!

Funny thing is, I think Lucky knows he was wrong. When I was calling my boyfiend, Lucky was calling for me "Mama? Mama? Hello? Heeelloooo?" And not in his usual, happy, excited way...but more in a distressed, "please-don't-be-too-mad-at-me" kind of way. Or, it was like when a kid does something wrong and then asks, "Do you still love me?"

So before I took myself, I walked over to him and said soberly, "Ya know I still love you Lucky." And left it at that!

I've made the firm decision that it was probably my fault...having probably startled him or something and I have no intention on giving him away or "placing" him somewhere.

I just would like to know if I did the right thing? Did I encourage more future bitings? Or Did I handle myself OK?

Thanks for listening!

Misty

BTW, I'm fine...a few battle scars never hurt anyone! LOL

[Skyebirdsmom]

I think you handled the situation fine :) I don't know what you could have done better. Once in a while my CAG used to nail me, and immediately assume the 'sorry' profile and biting his toenails. I know he never meant it and I probably did something to frighten him. But I never got mad or yelled, no matter how it hurt. And one of those times he pierced my nostril!!! But I rushed in the front door and reached in his cage to pick up something he dropped. I know I scared him and it was my fault. They say bird bites are 95% owner faults and I believe it.
Another time I had been crying(over having to rehome my birds)and I was sitting by my CAG's cage. Then I opened his door and asked for his routine nightly kiss....he bit me. Later I realized it was because I was crying. He knew something was wrong and he wanted me to run away to be safe. Such complicated creatures. After that bite, he looked at me so goofy, with his sideways look, head cocked, so cute. That's when I realized what had happened.
So fear not, you did the right thing. Somewhere in your 'mama/bird dialog, messages got crossed and your baby reacted.
Glad to know you still love him!
Linda & Skye~

[dino24]

Is he jealous of the boyfriend? Or was it maybe because you where packing the clothes and petting him at the same time that cause him to bite you. You can never tell what caused the bite but I think you handled it OK. Birds bite and thats a fact! Glad to know you didn't get upset and yell at the bird and that you are OK.

[Franciscus]

I think you did the right thing not reacting strongly. It's not a good idea to keep adult birds close to your face, you could lose an eye or get a nerve damaging bite. Keep your 'too off your shoulder and have play structures in the rooms you spend time in, or place him on something else. Birds will often bite you when somthing spooks them, thinking they are warning you to get out of harm's way, or out of jealousy.

[The Outlaw]

I think you handled it brilliantly. Bravo! I also think he knows that some big changes are coming and he's nervous about where HE fits in the picture. You'll work it out. I'm awfully sorry about the bite, however. I always feel insulted when I get bitten, even if it WAS my fault. Fortunately, that rarely happens anymore.

THE OUTLAW