Many parrots spend much of their time viewing the world around them from a dominant position. This can lead to aggressive behavior, such as lunging and/or biting.
The height at which a parrot interacts with those around it will influence how the bird responds to adults, children and other pets in the household.
Cage Height and Avian Aggression
If the parrot is large it may be housed in an equally large and roomy cage that, by its very design, may contribute to avian aggression. The perches inside the cage may be placed at the mid to upper level or the cage may include an external perch on its very top.
Unfortunately, from these high positions, the bird may reinforce its perceived dominance over lower "creatures" in its environment, biting at those who come up to the cage or who walk by it. The parrot may reach down and bite at an outstretched hand from someone in a subordinate position.
Fortunately, most modern parrot cages are designed so that they can be shortened. This can be facilitated by lowering the legs or actually removing them.
Homemade cages also present problems because most owners try to make these as large as possible. While it is important to give a parrot plenty of room, careful consideration should be given to the actual height of the cage. Additionally, interior perches should be placed in lower positions.
Parrot Height and Step-Ups
Height factors are also relevant in relation to step-ups. Owners should ensure they are in a higher position before telling the parrot to step up. Bites can be avoided by paying attention to body position before requesting that a parrot steps onto a hand. This same methodology should be implemented when passing a parrot to another family member.
Shoulder Time and Overt or Displaced Aggression
Most parrots will try to creep up an arm and gain a spot on a shoulder--but again, this is a dominant position. A larger hookbill should never be allowed shoulder time, a position where significant injury could be inflicted to a human. As the bird reaches maturity, the potential for shoulder aggression escalates.
- Overt aggression may be directed to anyone who approaches
- Displaced aggression may directed toward the shoulder human
A parrot will try to establish its place in the pecking order in relation to its human flock. The onus is on the owner to foster peaceful coexistence with a companion parrot by understanding the significance of height factors and how these play a role in development of avian aggression.
References
Blanchard, Sally, The Beak Book: Understanding, Preventing, and Solving Aggression and Biting Behaviors in Companion Parrots, Companion Parrot Behavioral Solution Series: Volume I, PBIC Inc, 2002
Athan, Mattie Sue, Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot, Barron's Educational Series Inc. 1993
Teaching a Parrot to Step Up--Teaching a parrot to step onto a finger or a hand paves the way for peaceful interactions between parrot and owner.
Teaching a Pet Parrot to Talk--Polly wants a cracker and Polly can be taught to ask for one.
How to Get a Parrot to Go Back Inside its Cage--How to handle Paco when he refuses to go back inside his cage.
Why Parrots Need Toys--Avian playthings can curb undesirable behavior.
Melody Rhodes - M. Rhodes is author of the Bedbug Books. She's been published in Canada, U.S. U.K. & NZ and has won awards for her poetry/prose.
Join the Conversation