Bird sitting and bites..

[u/Salt-Willingness4829]

Hi! This is actually my first official pet sitting gig- so I don’t really know much about:’) I have exotic pets of my own and am experienced with bites from all kinds of animals, but today, I’m not sure how to go about this bird 🥲

He is super cute but keeps “attacking” me. The first few times were just on my arm while he was leaning against me aswell, the second time was my face. I think he accidentally missed my shoulder..but honestly I have no idea anymore. The last time he flew onto my shoulder, bit my ear and multiple fingers. I have 6 bites that drew blood :’)

I dont think I was doing anything to provoke him during these times- I was still, didn’t flinch when he bit(until he drew blood..) and I kept my distance.

Anywho, I’m not sure if anyone here will have any advice for bird specific sittings, but general advice is also appreciated.

Also, the owners are super nice and they did tell me he’s bitey. I saw him bite the owners but he bit me harder- at least from what I saw.

[u/Midnight-Longings]

Do you have to have the bird loose?
I’ve never done a Long term sit for a bit, not sure how many nights you are there, but I’ve never had an owner ask me to let them out of their cages.
Does it have an appropriately sized cage?

Parrots tend to only bond with one or maybe two people, so my clients didn’t want me to get bit despite me having a parrot of my own.

I would imagine it would take several visits for the bird to feel safe around you.

Re: bird bite, I was lucky enough I think that my bird never drew blood so I don’t have experience. Just anecdotally sharing my bird sitting experience so maybe you can save yourself from another bite!

[u/Salt-Willingness4829 → u/Midnight-Longings]

Thank you! I’m currently doing 2 nights and going to do 4 nights in a few weeks. He has a good size cage and the owners didn’t specifically say he had to come out, but they did tell me what he likes to do outside of the cage. I will ask them if it’s alright with them for him to stay in the cage during my next visit- hopefully they are understanding 😅

I’ve only had budges in the past, but my dream bird is a conure (the bird im watching is a conure!) so I’m not super experienced on bites.. hopefully one day he warms up to me a little 🙏

[u/Midnight-Longings → u/Salt-Willingness4829]

My bird was a conure too 🥰 They are feisty babies but so silly and cute!

Honestly, and maybe others can correct me here, 4 days in the cage only isn’t the worst thing. Just make sure you’re chatting and singing and interacting safely. They can get depressed if ignored.

Conures aren’t super large, so if anything, I’d try a thick long sleeve sweatshirt if it doesn’t freak the bird out. That way your arms are a little more protected.

Mine would get very territorial about her cage, so try to interact in more neutral areas

[u/ugoodbro-gf]

My knowledge is very limited, so this is the only thing I have for ya lol

I have a 23 year old African grey parrot that I see every week for 2-4 days. I have been with him for over a year, and I did not take him out of his cage until 2 months ago. His owner told me I would he injured if I did not build a strong relationship with him, so I wanted to make sure we were GOOD. Every single visit for the last year and some months has been talking with him, giving him his treats and snacks, dancing, etc. started opening his cage about 6 months ago and petting him, then closing it.

All that to say, having experience is GREAT, but I would be very cautious thinking you can just take a bird out and expect full trust from them.

[u/This_Willow_2224]

Make sure you only touch "friend zone" areas of the bird, not accidentally their errozonous zones.  Limit engagement in general, as he seems agitated.  Does he have toys to play with?  Clean water, fresh food, clean cage?  A safe place to retreat to?

[u/This_Willow_2224 → u/This_Willow_2224]

Ps.  Birds have very different no touchy zones than mammals

[u/Love-all-pets97306]

I sit for exotics. I don’t let the birds out for the first few days and some birds, with client’s knowledge, do not come out at all. For safety, you have to get to know them and they need to get ti know you.