[nanagail]

Twitty will put his beak down to our hand when he's standing on us. I'm not sure if he's trying to bite or just maybe trying to preen us. Do I tell him "No Bite" or not. It doesn't hurt, I just don't want him to learn something bad. thanks in advance. Gail

[Carrie~Anne]

I only use the 'no bite' if the pressure applied is too much. Birds use their beaks as a third foot too, so he may just be trying to get a grip. Or, he also could be preening too

[Sage n Tunia]

Twitty will put his beak down to our hand when he's standing on us. I'm not sure if he's trying to bite or just maybe trying to preen us. Do I tell him "No Bite" or not. It doesn't hurt, I just don't want him to learn something bad. thanks in advance. Gail

If you shoo him away too fast, you might miss some really sweet kisses Birds use their beaks for lotsa things, including as a hand to balance and climb. If Twitty's not biting, I wouldn't want him to stop. If and when he bites, you'll know it! Think why he did it -- thinking like a baby bird -- and deal with it from that point. But if he's not bitten, just enjoy all the interaction he's willing to have with you and count your blessings.

'Nuther gail

[kate]

My grey is always telling the other birds when i get them out..dont bite hard.

[kalipso2]

like the others, i think he could just be using his beak to help him climb or to help stablize himself.

i wouldn't "yell" at him not to bite until you actually feel the pressure.

cricket is all bark and no bite. when i try to get him to step up (or anyone else for that matter) he growls at me while touching my fingers with his beak but he hasn't bitten me... yet!

[nanagail]

That's what I thought it was, just checking. thanks, Gail

[marylee]

You'll learn to know the difference between "beaking" and biting. lmao.. believe me... biting hurts. Beaking... not so much.

You have to remember they use their beaks to climb, stabilize themselves, show affection. You'll figure it out after a while.

[Andie's Mom]

Birds especially young ones are very inquisitive and as has been mentioned use their beak as a 3rd hand. Young birds also are exploring new textures and tastes with their beak and tongue and they will test all the time as to how solid things are by beaking.

Some experts say not to even allow gentle beaking as it only encourages them to bite. I disagree with that philosophy and feel that they can learn the difference to what is acceptable and what isn't. You'll be able to tell the difference when they decide to bite and then you need to act on it.

What I do, (and some people agree with the method some don't) is a small "earth quake" where you drop your hand or jerk you hand slightly, just enough to cause them to slightly lose their balance, Not so hard that they fall off your hand and give the command,"No biting. Or Not so rough" Birds have to concentrate on holding on rather than biting and will let go. Only YOU can decide how much pressure to allow them to apply before you correct them, but if you have children, their perception of biting and yours will be two different things. So when you start socializing your little green ball of fluff, show who ever is going to be holding him what you do when you feel he is biting, so they can give him the same correctional cue. He'll soon learn what is acceptable and what isn't.

[Tara Rose]

I agree..my quaker is VERY mouthy and there is a very clear line drawn as far as how hard is too hard. He knows exactly what the boundaries are and really all I have to do is growl at him or tell him 'be a good bird!' in a stern voice and he back off immediately. I've tried found with my quaker that being 'banished' from the flock is the worst punishment of all..if he thinks I am upset with him, he tries whatever he can to make up ("good bird...I looove you...hello pretty bird..") until I finally give in