Biting

I believe the most important part to stopping a biting grey is to try to find out why it is happening.

Biting is not a natural behaviour for wild greys. In the wild they would most likely take flight as a self defense mechanism rather then start a biting fight with another grey. I have read that they may justle for positioning but don’t bite down and draw blood. In extreme cases of danger a grey will bite a predator who corners him or tries to enter his nest .. but this is said to be rare.

So why do they bite in captivity?

Fear — Your grey could perceive danger and have a fear of harm, pain etc.

Learned Response — Greys are very intelligent and if he learns that biting gets the desired response then he will continue to do so…

• If you are putting your grey back in his cage and he bites. You react with a scream, jumping up and down etc. This is very exciting for your grey and looks like a lot of fun … bet he does it again!
• Another example is if you are putting your grey on his playstand and he doesn’t want to be there so he bites. By not putting him on his playstand he has the desired results from his bite.

Hormonal/Territorial etc — A grey can become bitey if they are hormonal or feel they are protecting their cage etc. In these cases biting is instinctive however shouldn’t be reinforced.

So now we know some of the whys …
So how do we not reinforce a behaviour that isn’t natural to our friends?

• If your bird seems to be biting out of fear — Try to give a scared bird his space. Don’t try to interact with him or corner him and force him to defend himself unless it is medically necessary to do so. Try talking to him and move slowly in his surroundings so he can observe you and become accustomed to your presence.
• Your reaction to a bite can reinforce a future bite. Given the size of your greys beak and your natural reaction to pull back this will be the hardest approach but very effective. Your grey expects you to pull back because that is the desired reaction .. instead push back gently. This will surprise your grey as he isn’t getting the desired reaction. I know easier said then done …
• If your grey is biting because he is protecting his cage/playstand etc. — Try interacting with him with regularly practicing step ups away from his cage or playstand. As he gets better move closer to his cage and/or playstand and continnue the practice. Eventually you may be practicing this interaction in plain view of his cage/playstand and notice the cage aggression dissipate. Also, try changing his toys around on both …
• Body Language — Avoid getting bit in the first place by trying to read your birds body language.
  • Growling
  • Tightening feathers, neck stretched and nervous looking
  • Glaring
  • Pinning
  • Stooped (with other biting signs)
  • Feather puffing

More Biting articles on AnAfricanGrey