upatsix.com - Your Source For Pet Bird Information

Freddy & all

You are absolutely correct - you cannot label a species to a particular behavior. It is only the human that determines the behavior and is, ultimately, responsible for it.
Over many years of having birds, I am constantly amazed when you mention a 'this' or 'that' species and get reactions like: "Oh, those birds are MEAN, or those birds don't play, or those birds bite!" Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Yes, many birds who come from less than optimal conditions, whatever they may be, can have behavior issues as can newly acquired babies. They stem from the fact the owner bought the bird on impulse, paid a 'ransom' for it, and/or 'rescued' it from a particular situation. Most of these new 'owners' haven't a clue how to care for a bird and/or haven't or won't bother to research the complexities of avian care.
I do a lot of volunteer work for The Gabriel Foundation here in Colorado and one of the first things I tell people who are interested in adopting is, 'a bird is a 24/7, 365 day a year' operation. They don't live on seeds and they don't live in a parakeet size cage. They need human interaction on a daily basis and they're messy'.

Birds don't do anything without a reason. Other than behaviors are inherently related, birds bite for a reason, scream for a reason, are cage bound and/or fearful for a reason, etc., etc.

Sally Blanchard has a wonderful book called "The Beak Book" and it explains a lot of things relating to why birds bite, or more relevantly, how & why caiques are 'beaky'.
Most of the time we're talking about 'body language' and becoming proficient at it.


In my personal opinion, beaks should NEVER be done by anyone other than an avian vet KNOWLEDGEABLE in that area. Beaker has always let me 'file' his beak tip with an emery board, just to get the point rounded a bit, but a dremel it best for talons.

Andrea

Beautiful post Andrea. As I sit here and hold my 4 month old Caiques Nobbly Wobbly I am amazed at how hard he goes at this toy and yet turns around and snuggles up to my neck and preens me with the same beak. He seems to know what he can attack and what needs careful attention It is a truely amazing tool that they use for so many things.

Freddy