Angry Birds: Why They Misbehave and What To Do About It
When your pet bird misbehaves, it can leave you feeling hurt and confused. Birds think and act so differently from the way that we do that it's normal for there to be a few misunderstandings here and there. However, if despite your best efforts you haven't been able to improve your bird's behavior, try your hand at using some the tried and true bird behavior tips outlined in this article. Sometimes even the most obnoxious bird behavior problems can have a simple fix -- all it takes is knowledge, time, and patience to help you and your bird see eye to eye.
Just like other types of animals, parrots and other pet birds can suffer vast mood swings due to surging hormones during breeding season. In fact, hormonal behavior ranks among the top causes of distress and aggression in pet birds. A bird who is having hormonal issues may be sweet one day, and then extremely territorial and cranky the next. Other symptoms of hormonal behavior include excessive screaming, biting, and mating displays. Hormone related behavior problems normally subside within weeks, so if your bird is misbehaving on a regular basis, then hormones may not be the reason.
There could be an issue with your bird's cage, toys, or something else in his or her environment that the at the root of your bird's behavior problems. Being extremely sensitive creatures, birds can sometimes become stressed due to obscure and somewhat bizarre reasons that we humans may not think of. Is your bird's cage kept clean and free of droppings and other debris? Could there be a new toy that you've given your bird that is causing stress for your pet? Examining the contents of your bird's cage, as well as the room that the cage is in, may turn up issues that could be bothering your bird and driving its misbehavior as a result.
A diet that is lacking in nutrition or variety can cause birds to act abnormally. If you are giving your bird the same old seed and pellet mix every day and not offering enough bird-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, then odds are that your pet is getting tired of what you've been feeding him. For many pet birds, their food is one of their greatest sources of entertainment and joy. Try mixing things up a little for your bird and see if his behavior improves. Even if you find that your bird's issues are not related to his diet, it can't hurt to let him try some healthy and nutritious snacks!
A bored parrot can be a recipe for disaster. Being the highly intelligent and sensitive creatures that they are, parrots need a lot of mental stimulation in order to thrive in a pet situation. It can seem like a full time job just coming up with ways to keep a pet bird entertained, but a little creativity can go a long way with your feathered friend. If you think your bird could be misbehaving out of boredom, try getting some new toys for your pet and rotating them in and out of his cage so that he can enjoy their "newness" over and over again. Turning on a TV or radio for your bird can also help curb boredom, and if all else fails some extra out-of-cage playtime never hurts, either!
Practicing bonding techniques with your pet bird is a great way to build on your relationship with your pet while calming bad behavior at the same time. The more comfortable your bird is with you and your home, the happier he will generally be. Taking time to handle and play with your bird each day will help both you and your pet enjoy each other more, and greatly enriches the overall bird-ownership experience. For added fun, spend some time teaching your pet to perform some fun bird tricks during your daily bonding sessions.
•Hormones could be the culprit.
Just like other types of animals, parrots and other pet birds can suffer vast mood swings due to surging hormones during breeding season. In fact, hormonal behavior ranks among the top causes of distress and aggression in pet birds. A bird who is having hormonal issues may be sweet one day, and then extremely territorial and cranky the next. Other symptoms of hormonal behavior include excessive screaming, biting, and mating displays. Hormone related behavior problems normally subside within weeks, so if your bird is misbehaving on a regular basis, then hormones may not be the reason.
•Check out your bird's environment.
There could be an issue with your bird's cage, toys, or something else in his or her environment that the at the root of your bird's behavior problems. Being extremely sensitive creatures, birds can sometimes become stressed due to obscure and somewhat bizarre reasons that we humans may not think of. Is your bird's cage kept clean and free of droppings and other debris? Could there be a new toy that you've given your bird that is causing stress for your pet? Examining the contents of your bird's cage, as well as the room that the cage is in, may turn up issues that could be bothering your bird and driving its misbehavior as a result.
•Evaluate your bird's diet.
A diet that is lacking in nutrition or variety can cause birds to act abnormally. If you are giving your bird the same old seed and pellet mix every day and not offering enough bird-safe fresh fruits and vegetables, then odds are that your pet is getting tired of what you've been feeding him. For many pet birds, their food is one of their greatest sources of entertainment and joy. Try mixing things up a little for your bird and see if his behavior improves. Even if you find that your bird's issues are not related to his diet, it can't hurt to let him try some healthy and nutritious snacks!
•Could your bird be bored?
A bored parrot can be a recipe for disaster. Being the highly intelligent and sensitive creatures that they are, parrots need a lot of mental stimulation in order to thrive in a pet situation. It can seem like a full time job just coming up with ways to keep a pet bird entertained, but a little creativity can go a long way with your feathered friend. If you think your bird could be misbehaving out of boredom, try getting some new toys for your pet and rotating them in and out of his cage so that he can enjoy their "newness" over and over again. Turning on a TV or radio for your bird can also help curb boredom, and if all else fails some extra out-of-cage playtime never hurts, either!
•Take time to practice bonding with your bird.
Practicing bonding techniques with your pet bird is a great way to build on your relationship with your pet while calming bad behavior at the same time. The more comfortable your bird is with you and your home, the happier he will generally be. Taking time to handle and play with your bird each day will help both you and your pet enjoy each other more, and greatly enriches the overall bird-ownership experience. For added fun, spend some time teaching your pet to perform some fun bird tricks during your daily bonding sessions.
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