Macaws That Bite

Macaws, regardless of species, are capable of biting. However, not every Macaw bites out of aggression. Macaws bite for a variety of reasons . And once you identify a Macaw's reason for biting, there are ways to correct the behavior.

  1. Why Macaws Bite

    • Young birds use their beaks to explore their surroundings and new objects and likely don't realize that their bites hurt, much like puppies. A parrot's natural tendency is to flee when afraid, but a Macaw in captivity with clipped wings is unable to and is likely to resort to "fight" instead of "flight." Macaws live in social groups in the wild, and biting is a common way for parrots to establish control or dominance. Your Macaw may also bite during breeding season due to hormonal changes, or due to illness or pain and the resulting irritability.

    Determining Why Your Macaw Bites

    • Determine why your Macaw is biting by paying close attention to your Macaw's body language. Pay attention to all the details, such as whether your Macaw bites your arm or your face, if the bites occur in a certain room or part of a room in your house, what's going on when it bites, and who it bites. And perhaps most importantly, determine whether you are inadvertently rewarding your Macaw for biting, such as putting it back in its cage for biting when it wants to go back in its cage to eat or play.

    Correcting Biting Caused by Dominance

    • Training sessions are the best way to correct biting in an aggressive or dominant Macaw. Training sessions should be short, focus on simple commands such as "step up," and occur outside of your Macaw's normal environment, where it'll be less likely to bite the only thing that's familiar -- you. Try a different room in the house, or a friend or relative's house. Always make sure the training area is safe and free from distractions or hazards, such as children, pets, and open windows. Reward your Macaw with positive reinforcement. Respond to undesirable behavior by positioning your head above your Macaw's level and saying "No" in a firm voice. Never raise your voice or hit your Macaw.

    Correcting Biting Caused by Fear

    • If your Macaw is biting due to fear, the best way to correct the behavior is to simply avoid exposing the Macaw to the cause once you've determined it. If that's not possible, start exposing the Macaw to the triggering cause at a distance at which the bird is comfortable. Give the Macaw plenty of positive reinforcement through a pleased facial expression, a gentle and happy tone of voice, a scratch on the head or a favorite treat. Over the course of weeks, gradually bring the Macaw closer, but never too close for comfort, until the Macaw loses its fear.