Budgies are clever birds and can quickly grasp how to do new things. You can efficiently train them to perform a few tricks, like stepping on your finger, speaking, getting into and out of the cage on their own, or coming to you whenever you call them by name. However, they can also learn other undesirable behaviors, such as biting, which should not be encouraged.
Yes, budgie bites can hurt. However, the pain varies depending on the type of bite. A budgie adjusts its biting force based on the intention of the bite. Thus, the pain can range from slightly uncomfortable to painful. The bite can also hurt if it is on a sensitive body part.
The following are the types of budgies bites and the level of pain they can inflict:
1. Light Beaking
The bite is gentle, without force or any aggressive intention. Most common when the budgie is familiarizing itself with the surroundings. As they have no hands to feel objects, they use their beaks.
The light nibs can also be a gesture of strong bonding.
So, if your most nagging question is, Why does my budgie bite my finger softly? Just relax because your budgie likes you and is trying to display it.
With the small nibs, no pain is felt due to the slight pressure applied.
2. Anxious Bite
This kind of bite is used when the budgie is afraid or annoyed. It can be due to hunger, molting, environmental change, or during the mating season.
The budgie will bite to scare you away, especially if you go near its nest or want to touch it. The bite is quick and feels like a sting due to the use of more force. Medium pain is usually felt.
3. Aggressive Bite
The budgie will bite harder for this kind of bite, holding on for a while. The bite can be painful and be accompanied by minor bruises.
As the budgie holds on longer, you will try to shake it off, which may break the skin at the point of contact, thus drawing blood. Come to think of it, can you withstand a budgie bite force psi ranging from 300-400 and keep still? The answer is a big NO.
The budgie will use such a bite if it feels threatened, lacks socialization, or feels neglected. Forceful handling can also lead to an aggressive bite. Because of the strong force applied, the bite will tend to be painful.
A budgie adjusts its bite force based on the intention of the bite. Thus, the pain can range from slightly uncomfortable to painful. The bite can also hurt if it is on a sensitive body part.
Why Does My Budgie Bite Me So Hard?
Since your budgie cannot start biting just from the blues, as it is a learned behavior, the following are some of the reasons why budgies bite:
1. Your Budgie Wants To Have Fun
Budgies are playful birds that love interactions. Since they can’t communicate verbally, your budgie will use its beak to try and engage you in a game by biting.
So, do budgies bite when playing? Yes, they do, and you better join your budgie and have a good time.
2. It’s The Mating Season
During the mating season, budgies can get aggressive due to a spike in hormones and are likely to attack other budgies or their owners.
Your budgie can also see you as a potential mate and will get jealous if you pay attention to others. This will lead to aggression and biting.
3. Show Affection and Trust
A budgie can kiss only a budgie they trust or its owner. The gentle, non-painful bite shows that your budgie likes you.
4. Curiosity
Budgies explore with their mouths. As they have no hands, a budgie uses its beak to hold and feel things. A budgie biting its hand is typical as it learns more about its surroundings.
5. Hunger and Thirst
Your budgie will likely bite at your fingers if it gets too hungry or excited for food. It’s essential to have a proper feeding schedule to avoid the bites.
6. Fear
Any threatening occurrence can result in a bite as the budgie tries to protect itself from harm. Moving your budgie to a new environment, touching it, rough handling, yelling, or adding a new budgie can be stressful to your feathered friend.
7. Socialization Issues
Lack of interaction and neglect can make your budgie get bored. Due to the frustration it feels, your budgie will become unfriendly and will bite.
What To Do If Your Budgie Bites You?
When your budgie bites you, never show any reaction to the bite. By shouting or jerking your hand, you give your budgie the attention it sought by biting you. The budgie will also learn to bite you whenever it needs something, which is not good behavior.
A bacterial infection can develop if blood is drawn, as budgie beaks carry bacteria. A budgie bite infection can be identified by redness, swelling, or pus in the affected area.
Budgie bites require medical attention. Cleaning and disinfecting wounds and using antibiotics will help in the healing process.
How Do You Hold a Budgie So It Can’t Bite?
1. Teach The Budgie To Step-up
When well trained, the budgie can step onto your finger at will. This will make it easy to get your bird out of the cage and from one place to another without grabbing it.
2. Use a Towel
A towel helps calm the budgie and keeps it safe when holding it. Due to the cushioning provided by the towel, internal organs are protected from damage as you handle the budgie.
3. Gently Handling
As birds are fragile, they should be handled carefully. Rough handling, for instance, squeezing, shaking, and striking, can cause injuries to the bird
4. Avoiding Holding The Budgie By Certain Body Parts
Holding the budgie by the wings, legs, or tail can damage the delicate plumage and break bones. The budgie can also be frightened by such handling and will likely bite.
How Do You Discipline a Bird for Biting?
A bird should not be punished; it will make it fear you and constantly break the hard-earned bond. The bird is likely to bite more due to anxiety.
Some punishments can be taken as treats by your bird. Hence, a bite should be ignored to prevent reinforcing bad behavior.
Giving your bird a time-out when it bites can be a suitable punishment. As birds don’t like being isolated and missing out on the fun, a time-out can help instill good behavior.
How to Stop Your Budgie From Biting
Budgies with behavioral and social problems bite often. Hence, understanding why your pet is biting will help as you strive to stop it.
The following hacks can be used to stop your budgie from biting;
1. Treat Your Budgie Nicely
It would be best to handle your budgie gently and never force it to do anything to avoid causing stress. Also, reward good behavior while ignoring bad ones as you train it to behave properly
2. Schedule Quality Time
Play and spend more time with your budgie for it to be happy. Through socialization, they will be less aggressive and are unlikely to bite.
3. Hand-feed Your Budgie
Your budgie will associate your hand with something positive and will not bite it.
4. Entertain Your Budgie Appropriately
Budgies need to be entertained to avoid boredom. Providing toys, perches, swings, and ladders will give them something to explore, distracting their mind from nipping habits.
5. Proper Feeding and Rest
A variety of nutritious food that is enough for your budgie should be offered to ensure your feathered friend is satisfied.
The budgie should also be given at least 12 hours of sleep to relax and rest properly. Playing and training for prolonged hours should be avoided to protect your budgie from too much strain.
6. Pay a Visit to The Vet
If you take all the measures and they fail, take your budgie to the veterinarian, as it might be sick.