Angry Keet

[oaktopaz]

I got a young parakeet almost three months ago, and for the first month was trying to socialize it, trying to make sure it was a happy bird. Strangely, one day, the bird became what I can only describe as being angry. It bites at offered fingers (I hoped she would perch on) and even chases hands that go in to change food and water or clean the cage.
She sings often, but she seems so angry--Is there something I can do to make my bird happy instead of angry?

[Monica]

It sounds as if one, this bird may be female, two, you may be teaching her to bite and act out this way. If you are, I know you do not mean to, but people often time teach their birds to bite without knowing, then get scared of the bird because it bit, and then says that it's a mean bird and then may end up ignoring or giving the bird away.

To prevent this, ignore the bites. Every time she bites you, and you pull your finger away, or even your hand, this means that it's OKAY to bite, and with repeating this action tells the bird that anytime your hand is near that it must bite, and well, the bird gets to be left alone (could be good or bad for itself, whether or not the bird actually wants human companionship). So in your best interest, it is best to completely ignore the bites, do not make any sounds, or atleast DO NOT remove your hand. You can try firmly telling the bird "No", or slightly shaking your hand to get the birds attention. You may also try quickly blowing on the bird, but not too hard. The main thing is to not remove your hand, nor sound excited when she bites.

Keep trying to socialize and work with her on the no biting issue. For such a small bird as a budgie, it can be hard to ignore the bites, but I've gotten plenty from my own conure, lots of different budgies, quakers, and a couple nips from some cockatoos, and a tiny nibble from a hyacinth that took weeks before it felt better. I have learned to pretty much ignore the bites and get use to them. I'm saying, that if you can, try and get use to these bites as later on it wont hurt as much and you can ignore them a LOT easier.

Keep talking to her, maybe read a book or the newspaper, and keep up with the socializing. In time, with constant, frequent work, she will become tamer.

[oaktopaz]

But when she bites it breaks skin and hurts greatly. These are not nipping bites, they are vicious, tearing bites. Is there any way to reinforce good behavior?

[chrisy8899]

My aunt has the saem problume with her bird, she got a garden glove a dull color, and wears that when she puts her hand in. The keet would still bight bite but she couldnt feel it, and now he isnt to bad and seems to be stoping.
Thats just something you could try. Good luck

[Monica]

The little nibble from the hyacinth broke my little finger's nail, and made it bleed underneath, I've gotten plenty of actual bites where the bird bit, and tore skin off making me bleed. I never said I only got just a nibble. For the smaller birds, such as your budgie, it may be better to use garden gloves, or some thick gloves, as Chrisy mentioned. The bird may get use to the gloves though and may not be biting the gloves, but as soon as he or she sees bare hands again, may resort back to biting, unless it's able to sit on the gloved hand again where it will not bite. Try it, and good luck!