Why Do My Birds Bite Each Other's Face?

Like any other pet, or any other animal, birds have particular habits and behaviors that may seem peculiar to human beings. Perhaps more so than other household pets, due to the nature of their confinement, birds appear more irrational and irritable in their behavior. Understanding why birds act the way they do can help a bird owner create a better environment for them.

  1. Territorial

    • Much like fish in an aquarium, birds in confinement tend to bully and threaten one another, sometimes to the point of making a show of attack to demonstrate their dominance over other birds. Some species of birds are known to be fiercely territorial, like cockatiels, and these species are more likely to show force in the presence of other birds sharing their space.

    Stress

    • In confined spaces, depending on the size of the bird, its living conditions and diet, a bird can become very irritable and stressed out. This often leads to squabbling between birds in the absence of outlets of release or external stimuli, of which biting and scratching occurs more noticeably.

    Sexual Aggression

    • When birds enter heat, they tend to display ritualized violence, especially in the presence of female birds. Biting and pecking between belligerent male birds is a part of this display, and many owners misinterpret this dueling as fighting to the death, which is rare for birds to do.

    Young Birds

    • Like most baby animals, baby birds have a period of oral fixation in which they explore their environment to the degree that they can with their mouths. Baby birds bite the faces of other birds out of playfulness or curiosity, or to express displeasure.