Real biting is a form of communication. It usually means that the parrot doesn’t trust a person or doesn’t trust what the person is doing. It is often a clear message to leave them alone. Parrots usually respond aggressively if they perceive that someone is being aggressive with them; aggression is usually met with aggression. It is the parrot’s perception that matters, regardless of whether the person approaching it is aggressive or not.
The first real bite from a tame parrot should be thought of as a single incident rather than the start of a pattern. When people become afraid that their parrot will bite them again, it changes the dynamics between the parrot and the person who has become afraid. The parrot picks up the different energy in the person, and its behavior to them changes. This can create a downward spiral that can end in a loss of mutual trust.
**For the full article, pick up the August 2008 issue of BIRD TALK**
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