Aggression

Laky · Member Joined: Feb 27, 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Australia

My Riki has started to become quite aggessive and chasing me! he is about 4 months old now and when not trying to eat me will sit on me and chatter away, I am just wondering if this is his adolesent stage and how to stop him from the biting! I blow on his face and say no, but now he has started to say no, he can now say 13 words!

suggestions please! Rolling Eyes

Allen · Foundation Member Joined: Oct 14, 2004 Posts: 269

Females have been known to breed at 4 months and males at 6 months. You are definitely dealing with puberty. Do you know whether you have a male or female? If you are unsure, post a pic, we should be able to help sex your bird.

Try and get hold a book on parrot behaviour or do a search on the net for companion parrot behaviour. Most of the techniques used for large parrots should apply to kakarikis. I breed with birds and since I have young children in the house, do not keep a specific pet bird in the house anymore and I have never kept a kakariki as a household pet. I have had very tame aviary kakariki turn agresive during breeding and others turn very affectionate during their breeding phase.

Keep us posted so that others can learn from your experiences

Steptoe · Site Admin Joined: Oct 06, 2004 Posts: 4550

It appears u have unwittingly created a 'game' with your pet.
When he bites, either bite him back or pinch him on the top of the wing, SLIGHTLY harder than he bites you.
Over a very short time he will start to to bite softer and u also retaliate less each time.
Very quickly, the biting will disappear, or will turn into a new modified game of friendly sparing.
Another way is as he bites your finger, grab his beak, and hold on for a few seconds.
This can also turn into a fun game very quickly, both of u learn that neither are going to hurt each other, A game of a sort of a sword fight between your fingers and his beak develops. Later as the trust between the both of you develops, full on wrestling matches can take place.

The above does not mean he will not bite others, depends on the bird's personality...his relationship that u develop is between him and you.
It is sometimes upto others and their personal relationship with your bird.
And remember a parrot can get jealous with your relationships with other ppl.

Laky · Member Joined: Feb 27, 2005 Posts: 6 Location: Australia

Thanks so much guys some great advice! Applause