How do i get my green cheeked conure to stop biting?

Question

My green cheeked conure bites everyone and everything and i wanna know if there is any training techniques?

Answer 1

There are two really important ‘tricks’ that you need to teach your bird right away.  When you train these tricks you will eliminate much of the biting behavior.  What are the tricks?  Step up and Step down.  They are commands that you give your bird to let him know that you want him to step onto your finger or off of your finger and are particularly useful when retrieving your bird from his cage.  

These two commands teach aggressive birds that you are the boss, you are the one in control and they give shy or timid birds the comfort of knowing what you expect from them.  The commands provide structure.  

Answer 2

My GCC had a serious 'terrible twos' biting phase when he hit 12 months old.

I shouldn't have used this technique- but it worked- I used to spray him with the water bottle and lock him back up in his cage when he started to get aggressive. Then, when he was all wet and feeling sorry for himself i would pick him up and give him cuddles. I only had to do this twice for him to get out of the habit.

He is still a very beaky bird, which i quite like- he uses his beak to tell me when to start scratching him, he LOVES to have his beak and cere rubbed- especially if he has my index finger in his mouth and i rub his beak with my thumb and middle finger. He uses his beak but he NEVER bites or nips hard.

Except when I take out my phone. he hates my phone. and tv remote lol.

hope this helps. You shouldnt use negative reinforcement with birds. and I would certainly never use negative reinforcement with any timid animal- but in Incas case it worked well. He is terrified of the water bottle- but seeing as he has showers in the kitchen sink thats not so much of a problem.

Answer 3

Conures are known for being "nippy" birds. I have two and still battle with them everyday over biting. I find that a stern NO and using my other hand to remove their beak or distract them works well. On days that this doesn't work, I place them back in the cage and say NO BITING and give them a time out.

You have to stick with whatever you choose to do and do it EVERY time. They are very smart birds and will eventually learn that if they want to be with you, they cant bite you. Good luck!!