You bought the most adorable, cuddly, sweet cockatiel you’ve ever seen. It loves you unconditionally. It snuggles up to your shoulder, begs for head scratches and follows you around the house. Six months later you’re thinking of renaming it "Jaws." It fiercely bites you when you try to take it out of the cage. It asks for a head scratch and then immediately pecks at you. It masturbates on your head and attacks when you remove it. It flies at your face. It acts nice just around you but bites when others enter the room. And you’re asking, "What happened?"

When Tootsie hit puberty I didn’t know what hit me. He suddenly loved my mom and bit me. No one could get him away from the toaster without being bitten. Instinctively I began to avoid and fear him. Thinking he wanted to breed I bought him a hen. He shunned her for the toaster. The problem was never really resolved and I ended up turning him into a breeder. When Alex, my second pet tiel, hit puberty, nothing happened. He was a sweet as ever.

The trick to surviving your bird’s adolescence is understanding bird behavior and reacting appropriately. Hopefully this article can help you turn your little monster back into a sweetheart.

The Baby Stage
For most pet owners when a bird is purchased it is just past the weaning stage. For a lucky few it may be a bit older and skillfully socialized by a caring handfeeder. In either case the bird is first obtained while in the baby stage. The baby stage lasts until the bird reaches puberty.

Physical and Emotional Characteristics of the Baby Stage
• Clumsiness
• Starter Plumage & Eye Color
• Unconditional Love
• Acceptance

Young birds tend to have poor coordination and motor skills (particularly the larger species). Many psittacines are slower moving, unsure and downright ungainly, particularly when clipped. African greys are among the worst in this category. Cockatiels aren’t so great either, often taking off backwards and breaking tail feathers. Experts can tell a baby just by its awkward, deliberate movements. However, not all species are that clumsy. Budgies usually aren't. Kakarikis are agile fliers at a young age.

Chicks hold their feathers in a particular manner that makes them look especially cuddly. Adults tend to have more willful control of their plumage. Baby plumage is often softer and nicer. It has not yet been worn from daily wear and tear. Look at the images below. Both are pictures of my "brat twins." The left image is a baby picture taken during weaning. The right picture is an image taken after maturity (Well, physical maturity anyway...). Notice how much sleeker they are later.

In many species the adult coloration differs from that of the juveniles. Sometimes the adult plumage is drastically different. Male pearl cockatiels will gradually lose all their pearls until they look exactly like regular birds. Male Indian ringnecks get a ring around their neck around 18 months. Green and blue birds get a black ring. Lutinos get a pink one. Albinos display no ring (they have no pigment to make one). Even in nonpsittacine species (like finches and songbirds) chicks can look very different from adults. Many times chicks are dull in color. Males and sometimes females eventually molt into more colorful patterns. Gouldian finch chicks look nothing like the striking beauties they will become.

In some species the plumage change is more subtle. If you are familiar at all with macaws you'll notice that most species have white facial skin and several lines of small feathers striping through it. You'll also notice that scarlet macaws appear to have no feathers in this area. Look closer! As chicks, scarlets have red feathers in this area, just like greenwing macaws. These feathers are eventually exchanged for white ones, giving scarlet macaws a more bare-faced, wrinkly appearance.

Budgies too change color with age. You'll notice that budgies have barring on their head and back. In chicks the barring extends to the cere. After the first molt the barring stops at the top of the head. Budgie chicks also start out very pastel and their color will darken greatly over time. In many cases a faint tint may become the predominant color. Look at the picture of Jaz and his daughter. Both are skyblue spangle. Yet Jaz is many shades darker than his daughter (see below).

Chicks many times have unique eye coloring. The eyes may start out one color and change to a lighter one in adulthood. African greys hatch with dark eyes that later change to yellow. Kakariki chicks have brown eyes which change to bright orange. Their beaks are also horn-colored tipped in black. Immediately upon weaning their beaks begin to darken to the typical black-tipped silver coloration.

Babies are usually cuddlier than adults. They are almost always up for a head scratch, kiss or tummy tickle. They beg for scritches and want nothing more than to be with you. Adult birds are different. It's not that they do not enjoy petting as much, it's just that they aren't always in the mood. Human babies are the same way. Parents can kiss, hug and dote on them constantly; babies could care less. As adults we have a better sense of "personal space." Adult birds need their personal space as much as we do. They still enjoy touch, but on their terms. Pushy owners may be bitten if they don't respect their bird's requests to be left alone.

By far the most important thing you need to know about the baby stage is this:

Chicks automatically accept that you are in charge.

What you do during the baby stage can have a huge influence when adolescence hits. Birds are very observant of your behavior and many of the bad habits that birds display as adults are indirectly the result of the owner. Although they start out innocent babies, birds grow up. That is the way of life. Just like humans, what you teach birds during their baby stage can cause harmony or hell when puberty rolls around.

Adolescence
When does puberty hit? It varies from species to species. I’ve seen budgies go through it at three months old. The smaller the species the sooner it occurs. Cockatiels start around six to nine months. For ringnecks and small conures it occurs anywhere from one year to two years. Large parrots can take several years to mature. Four years is the breeding age for the largest parrots, which means that puberty may occur slightly before. Keep in mind that "breeding age" and "puberty" are two different things. Just because a bird is physically capable of breeding does not mean it is ready for such a daunting task. Hens in particular are stressed by egg laying and may become egg bound if encouraged to breed at very early ages. Always double check the standard breeding age before offering a nestbox.

Physical and Emotional Characteristics of Adolescence
• Height and Dominance Issues
• Nipping/Testing
• Sexual Behavior
• Plumage Changes
• Singing, Talking
• Territoriality

In the wild, this is the time when birds stop acting like babies and start trying to figure out their standing within the flock. If no one seems to be in control of the hierarchy the bird will automatically place itself at the top. Responsibilities of a flock leader may include keeping other birds in line, claiming and defending extensive territory and protecting the flock against danger. All birds do some extent of these activities, but the owner of a bird who believes itself to be a flock leader will find him/herself constantly harassed. Consequences can range from annoying to downright dangerous. I read one case where a woman was physically assaulted by her cockatoo so much that her physician thought her husband was beating her (Bird Talk, Jan 1994). This was an extreme case but helps illustrate how bad things can get if allowed to progress. The social dynamics that naturally occur within a flock cannot possibly be replicated between bird and its human. As a bird tries to do its perceived duty (which it is unready for in the first place, having been only recently a baby) a human will not react in the same manner as another bird. Both bird and human misunderstand one another: the bird wonders why the human is not cooperating and the human wonders what happened to their sweet baby.

The issue described above is one concerning dominance. Birds do not become dominant overnight. You may notice that your bird has begun nipping or playfully chewing harder than usual. In some cases they may not know their own strength (which is why you should never let babies nibble anything you don’t want them chewing later). Many times though this is a test to see what they can get away with. How do you react to their nipping? By reasserting your authority. The "evil eye" and a stern "NO" will usually halt the behavior immediately. You can even talk to them and use a dissapproving tone. Birds are great observers and will pick up on your tone. It is also important to make eye contact when speaking so they know you are talking to them.

Rough play can also encourage nippiness. Chicks are naturally more gentle. By the time play becomes more painful the bird has learned that the behavior is acceptable. Mock wrestling does the opposite of what we want, which is to assert our authority:

As a parental figure you remain untouchable. The bird knows you are in charge and won't try very hard to dispute the fact. If the bird sees you as just any flock member, be it sibling or potential mate, it will begin to battle for supremacy.

Height also factors into dominance, especially with larger species. While it may be okay to have a budgie or cockatiel on your shoulder, never allow larger species to perch there. The shoulder puts a bird at your eye level, giving it authority equal to or greater than yours. It also allows birds great access to your face when they want to bite. I don’t care how tame and sweet your pet is, ALL birds can and do bite. Medium and large species can cause serious damage. Keep parrots any larger than a tiel on your arm, not your shoulder. Also keep all cages, perches and playstands lower than your eye level to reaffirm your authority.

The "Up" command, taught by stick training, is a good way to regain control over your bird. Bites are sometimes the result of a bird being unclear what the owner is asking. Not all people offer their fingers in the same manner. Even if offered appropriately a bird may still be confused. During puberty a bird may see an approaching finger as an invasion of territory, potential aggressor or mere annoyance. What's the quickest way to get rid of a finger? Bite it. When you tell a bird "Up" or "Step Up" while offering a finger you are giving it a clear idea of what you want. You are not invading or attacking. You are asking it to step up. "Up" is also a command. If a bird refuses to step up you can put it back in the cage or not allow it out. Once again this tells the bird that you are in control.

Sexual behaviors begin at puberty. There is a wide range of sexual behaviors that birds can exhibit. Male cockatiels usually begin whistling at puberty. They strut about and sing. Amazons will display, fluff up and generally look very cute to the unwary owner. If you approach them during such a display you’ll get bitten. Both males and females will regurgitate to their "mates." If this happens to you, it’s a huge compliment! Females may also begin to lay eggs.

Breeding behavior is not a sign that your bird needs to become a breeder (many times it is YOU they want to mate with). Though some species can be both pets and breeders (budgies, tiels, Indian ringnecks) most cannot.

Masturbation is a perfectly normal occurrence which is best not encouraged or discouraged. Only occationally does it become a real problem. I once counseled a man whose newly acquired tiel would begin masturbating on his head and then bite when removed. He took the bites very personally since the bird seemed to like him. I had to explain that birds do not necessarily view us as an entire object. Faces are often seen as another "bird." The body is like a giant mobile perch to them. I don’t know what they think hands are. His bird had found a "nesting" territory (his head) and was only defending his territory against the invading hands. Bites usually have very rational reasons once seen from the bird’s perspective.

Usually birds masturbate with a favorite item (toy, perch, bird buddy, human hand/arm/head). Males do so by mounting the object and vigorously rubbing the cloaca on it. Hens also rub but tend to back into things rather than mount them. They also get excited when pet on the back because it simulates a male mounting. If your hen does this try to inch back up to petting the head rather than the back.

Territoriality is often linked to sexual behavior. It is okay for a bird to stake out some territory (perhaps its cage) but as the authority figure you should be able to access any territory without problems. Some birds may become increasingly territorial though and threaten you whenever you open the cage, near the playstand, or reach in to feed. This is acceptable behavior for breeders but not pets. Breeders can be as territorial as they want to; pets need to coexist. Birds usually form territory due to sexual reasons. Breeders form territory around their nestbox and will defend it against predators and other birds (competition). In pets this behavior is misplaced. A pet may feel the desire to breed and form an attachment to a particular toy or human. It may also view certain areas as potential nesting sites. I recommend removing or covering all such areas. Happy Huts are loved by many birds but can cause territoriality if viewed as a nesting place. Covered dishes can also be a problem. Birds may also find dark areas around the household. This is actually dangerous because the bird may become lost, trapped or squashed if left unsupervised.

Things are a tad more complicated when the territoriality involves a human. The odd person out should make an attempt to work with the bird alone, out of sight and sound of the favorite human. The "hot potato" method can also help. This game should include everyone in the household. You sit in a circle and use the "Up" command to slowly pass the bird around the circle. Favorite persons are not exempt from bites. In many cases, they get more than anyone else! This is due to the protective nature of birds and their somewhat confused perspective of humans. A favorite person is often viewed as a mate. When other humans enter the room the bird, usually on a shoulder, begins to attack the object of their affection. Why? Because they expect you (or your head) to fly away to safety while they take on the danger! My green-cheek conure did this whenever my mother or a larger group of people came near me. It is important to recognize behaviors like this and deal with them appropriately. Sometimes just understanding what your bird is really thinking can help you react better to the problem. If Confetti got too nippy when others were around I could use the "Up" command to get her off my shoulder and put her back in the cage to settle down.

Unclipped wings contribute to the territory problem. Rather than becoming aggressive over just the cage, the bird may stake out the entire house as its territory and try to defend it from everyone. Flight also allows birds to perch above you (dominance by height), fly at your face (dangerous) and fly away from you (giving you NO control over putting them away). There’s no excuse here. Clip the wings.

Asserting Your Authority
Every time I help someone during this stage I wind up giving them a pep talk. Are you going to let an 80 gram cockatiel push you around? I've found that one of the best preventative measures for problems during adolescence is knowing and acting like you are in charge. If you do this well enough from the very beginning when you obtain a bird you may not even notice any changes when it goes through puberty. If you do experience a little birdie attitude it will be much milder. Instead of biting outright your bird may mock bite, fluff up, bite air or a perch to display disapproval. The bird knows you are the boss.

Chances are if you’re reading this you haven’t asserted your authority and are experiencing some serious problems as a result. That’s okay; I went through it too. Back then I had no idea how to deal with it. You are lucky enough to have found this article to guide you. Below is a quick recap of methods you can use.

Methods for Regaining Authority
• Do not allow the bird to perch above you. This may include banning shoulder perching.
• Clip the wings. Confine territoriality by restricting the bird to specific areas like the cage and play gym. All time away from these areas must be supervised.
• Know that you are in charge and act like it.
• Remove items encouraging sexual territoriality: bird buddies, fake or stuffed birds, mirrors, Happy Huts and enclosed containers/feeders.
• Make eye contact and speak sternly when a bird threatens to bite. Tell it "NO" firmly.
• Do not allow nibbling or rough play.
• Use the "Up" command.
• Encourage interaction with all family members. Never laugh or display amusement if someone is bitten.
• Remove all mirrors!

I've only scratched the surface on this topic. If you'd like to read more please visit the links below. Most of them are articles by Liz Wilson and Sally Blanchard, professional behavior consultants. Remember, understanding bird behavior is the key to preventing problems!

Related Web Articles: Don’t Take It PERSONALLY!!! BITING PARROTS: Why They Do It and How To Control It Facial Bites, Nozzle Nuzzling, &Tummy Kisses Avoiding Problems With Parrots On Shoulders Surviving Your Parrot's Toddler Years Avian Sociology 101

Books and Magazines on Behavior Bird Talk, articles written by Chris Davis or Sally Blanchard Companion Parrot Quarterly (formerly Pet Bird Report), EVERYTHING Guide to a Well-behaved Parrot by Athan Parrots: A Natural History by Sparks & Soper The Human Nature of Birds by Barber

Special thanks to Aida for the pics of Luca. =) Articles and images contained on this site are © 1997-2002 by Karen Trinkaus unless otherwise noted and may not be reprinted or used in any way without the author's permission.