My B&G Macaw

[kidcusu13]

Hello I'm having some problems with my macaw. He'll let me pet him sometime and sometimes he'll bite the crap out of me. I don't know what else to do. Someone please help me!!

[Ashling]

First of all how old is he? What does he eat? Does he have appropriate caging, toys and chewables? Is he your first bird? Do you have other pets? Do you have a partner or other family member living with you? If you can find out *why* your macaw bites, then we can help you figure out a way to prevent it. If you can give us any more information, that would be helpful.

Do you know why he bites you? Before birds bite, they show certain behaviors that warn you that they are about to bite. Does he fluff up his feathers, pin his eyes (where the pupil changes size), raise his wings slightly, growl? Birds can't say "I want to be left alone and not petted right now, if you don't stop, I will be forced to bite you," (well some can, but that is beside the point!) so they use body language to tell you this. If you don't understand that body language, the bird will get frustrated and eventually bite. Since this usually results in the bird getting what it wants (you backing off and not touching it) you are actually REWARDING the bird for biting! You are teaching it that when it bites, it gets what it wants. You have to learn to read that language and stop what you are doing *before* it goes too far and your bird feels he has to bite.

He may also do it for a funny reaction. Do you yell or scream when he bites? He may like it when you make that noise, which is also a reward for him. When he bites, you mustn't make a fuss, but just ignore it. I know it hurts, I have been bit by a B&G, but you must not reward the behavior.

[Alan]

Well from what I understand this is the way a blue and gold is. I have heard the same thing about the baby blue and gold that I am getting. It might just be that when you are trying to pet him or her that the bird would rather be left alone?

[chapala]

The bird is trying to communicate with you. If you miss the body language, the bird has to resort to biting to get his point across. If it's the petting that causes the bites, it would be pretty clear the bird doesn't like that and you need to back off on the touching. Pay attention to the bird, and try to figure out what is happening immediately before the bite, and if you're missing some body language that the bird isn't happy with something.

[NotEnoughTime]

I would also recommend reading: Parrot Biting

[kellywess]

How is the bird reading "your" body language? Macaws are tricky, they are better at reading body language than people are. If you are going in for the "scritch" (to pet the bird) with the least amount of fear or hesitation, you most certainly will be bit. They can sense your fear/hesitation. You have to remain calm and confident... or else you are going to lose. Patience, relax, and be confident. Keep the bird perched on your arm below your eye level. With a young bird, YOU have to set the pace and establish the conditions of the relationship. Macaws will constantly test you...always looking for the "hole in the fence." It's like a game. Hope everything works out. How old is the bird? Are you his original owner?

[kidcusu13]

my bird is 1 1/2. he eat macaw food from petsmart. he fluff up his feathers, pin his eyes , and raise his wings slightly before he bits some times his wings don't go up. he does that when i go to pick him up but if i keep it up he will step up. i want to get him to trust me and i don't know how. oh also he is my second bird

[chapala]

If he bites when you pick him up because you need to move him back to his cage or wherever, try training him to step up on a stick (perch) using treats as positive reinforcement. That will help avoid the bite.

[kidcusu13]

what about when i go to pet him and he bits me?

[chapala]

He is telling you he isn't comfortable with petting. As he learns to trust you, he may let you scratch his head neck and preen the feathers there that he can't reach. The bird will let you know when he's ready, or will bite if you continue to do it and he's not.