How Can I Stop My Citrus Cockatoo From Biting?

Birds bite people for a variety of reasons, including fear, sexual receptivity, and even attraction to colors and smells. If your citrus cockatoo is biting you, it can be frustrating, but your bird is not deliberately hurting you and is certainly not a bad bird. Biting is among the most common problems experienced by bird owners, but with careful, sensitive handling of your bird, you can quickly overcome this problem.

Things You'll Need

  • birdseed or bird treats
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Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the possibility that your bird is exploring, not biting. Cockatoos in flocks nibble at each other as a sign of affection, and birds are very mouthy. If your bird is only lightly nibbling at your finger, it could be that it's trying to be affectionate, not aggressive.

    • 2

      Approach your bird slowly and only from the front. Birds may reflexively react by biting when they are startled, even if they are otherwise friendly. Make sure your bird knows that you are approaching, and if it indicates to you that it doesn't want attention or is feeling frightened, speak sweetly and softly to the cockatoo. If this fails, respect the bird's wishes and try again later.

    • 3

      Feed your bird by hand. Like most other animals, cockatoos can learn not to behave aggressively if they associate your hands with positive experiences. Every time you approach your bird's cage, give it a treat. Make sure to present the treat in a way that makes it difficult for your bird to bite your hand. If your bird does bite, don't give it the treat, and try again later. Gradually taper off the frequency with which you give your bird treats as your bird begins biting less frequently. You should continue giving your bird a treat occasionally when you approach his cage for the rest of its life, though, because this teaches the bird that attention from you is positive.

    • 4

      Move your bird to a quiet, low-stress area. Cockatoos have well-developed startle reflexes, and a bird who bites is a bird who is stressed. Consider placing your bird in a calm, quiet area that is less likely to make it feel insecure and anxious.

    • 5

      Avoid your bird during periods of sexual receptivity. Birds who are preparing to breed are more likely to behave erratically and react aggressively toward humans.