nothing but biting... all the time

[Riot]

my boyfriend and his parents have a parrotlet thats about a year or so old that they bought at a local pet store... i realize that this bird is not my responsibility but i know that just like all their other problems, this bird will eventually be put off on my boyfriend and i as soon as they can possibly get rid of it. she really is a pretty little bird and i wouldnt mind giving her a chance, but she has over-preened her front area into a mess, which i know isnt a good thing, but that isnt the main problem. Whenever you take her out of the cage she immediately starts biting and won't stop until you put her down, even then she bites whatever surface she is on until you put her back in her cage. I realize that these are probably the results of stress and poor socialization, but I haven't owned birds since i was a little kid and i really need some help trying to resolve this agression issue.

On the side, my boyfriends father is adamnant that female parrotlets cannot learn to talk or immitate sound. Is he just being bull-headed or is he in the right?

I know from experience that problems only grow as animals get older. I really would like to help this little girl be a little more pleasant towards people before it get any harder. My boyfriend also has a 7 year old cousin who lives with him. Should she be allowed to come in contact with the bird even with supervision?

[Sally]

How large is the cage? They need huge cages, wide ones. A variety of foods, and 12 hours of very quiet sleep. How long have they had her?

I have a female. She doesn't talk. Boy parrots usually talk more.

The little cousin can be with the parrot IF he is good with the bird and will never hurt her. Supervised.

I think the bird may be stressed from a lack of knowledge and bonding and I suspect the cage and toys as well as food and sleep quality are not good.

My Parrotlet needs a quiet environment, no stress. Lots of love, huge cage and great toys. Playgyms also.

[Riot]

thanks. i think that the cage is about 3 feet square and i have a feeling thats not wide enough... I know they have a black lab that barks constantly and some one is always yelling so its never quiet... thanks for your help!

[parrotletlovers]

my parrotlets bite me too. but iv herd of something that you spray on your hands. what you spay is really bitter and they dont like that. you can also spay it on other stuff like wood. but dont get it in your mouth like i did bleah!

[Bonesy]

She needs more to do, and needs to learn biting is not acceptable. Use a stick or a finger to push back into her bite and push her head away. She will quickly learn it wont get her anywhere.

Even use a perch to get her from the cage so she can bite it as much as she likes.

Otherwise use areas of your body that she cannot pinch in her beak, a flat of the hand, a bent wrist, a clenched fist. Something she cannot grip, but will desensitize her to having a hand so close.

She sounds like she is plucking. Give her more toys, more things to chew, more time out of the cage and close the door so she can fly the room and get used to it. Burn off some energy. Offer her some new greens and fruits, branches to chew and stuff, just make sure they are safe.

Also ensure she gets enough sleep, bad sleep often makes for crabby birds. 9-12 hours a night is ideal. Any less and you are heading for a grouchy bird.

Oh, and a much bigger cage :)