If you work with, or spend a little time in an aviary or home with plenty of birds inside, you soon come to know the answer to the question, which parrot has the worst bite-the answer will vary based upon the beak size of the particular parrot, not the size of the actual bird itself.
Which Parrot Has the Worst Bite? Green Wing Macaws, Blue and Yellow Macaws, Hyacinth Macaws, Bare-Eyed cockatoos, and moluccan cockatoos are all known to have the worst bites that you can imagine. They can lead to serious injury and even infection if they are not treated properly.
Parrot bites should be taken very seriously so that bird owners stay safe and healthy, and you should also take steps to ensure your pet does not do such a thing again, so keep on reading to discover more about the parrots with the worst bites and ways you can train him to stop doing this behavior.
Why Do They Bite?
A biting parrot is much more common than you may think. All pet birds will do this at some point.
Not all parrots are aggressive in nature, but you should be warned of this especially if you are a new or prospective owner of a parrot. You will get a bite, and it will NOT feel very good at all.
Parrots bite for any number of reasons. It does not mean they are aggressive, mean-spirited, or that they do not love you.
Hook-bills, the variety that we will discuss in this article, make use of their beaks for a number of reasons. They shred things, they climb, they chew-for just a few examples.
If your bird is usually in good spirits, it may be worth your time to really evaluate if they are really biting you or simply using their beak as nature intended.
Some birds bite out of fear. This is even true of hand-raised parrots. If a parrot is not socialized with others, consistently, they may become fearful of humans. Adult birds that are adopted can have pasts that involve a bad human experience that cause them to bite, as they are fearful.
It is best to earn the trust of your pet so your fingers -and his well-being- stay intact.
Aggression can stem from a number of different places. For instance, the hormones of a parrot can cause him to be aggressive. Being territorial is another reason.
A drafty or uncomfortable environment can agitate the bird, too. Even pets in the home may cause your bird some stress which can lead to aggressive behavior like biting. If your parrot is aggressive, we recommend reading the following articles:
- 10 Reasons for sudden aggression in parrots!
- 10 Things parrots are afraid of
- Can parrots live with dogs? How to make it work!
Make some adjustments as necessary. Also be sure to pay a visit to the vet, as a health problem may be the reason that he is biting, too.
Rule that out first, and then make some adjustments to his environment and see if that helps.
The “Bit” List
Now we will discuss the 5 species of parrots that are known to have the worst bites.
1. Green Wing Macaws
Green-wing macaws are what many of us think of when we first think of parrots.
They are utterly stunning in their appearance, but their beak is a powerful gift that has strength even greater than that of a German Shepherd.
Their beaks are capable of generating power of 500 PSI to 2,000 PSI. Humans bite only around 150 PSI. They can easily crust or even open up the most difficult nuts with relative ease.
Despite all this, the green-winged macaw is usually very easy-going and relaxed.
If left untrained and without attention from his owner, the Green Wing Macaw can become aggressive and bite or pluck at his own feathers.
A bird of this size requires plenty of space to move around and stretch, play and rest.
Not having the appropriate space for this lovely bird can lead to a bite that is extremely powerful and can cause serious harm.
2. Blue and Yellow Macaws
These are another beautiful species of parrot that people think of when they think “Parrot.” They can be three feet in length from beak to the end of their tail.
This pet is NOT for beginner bird owners; rather this is for a person who can be really devoted to their pet in socializing and caring for their pet.
These macaws are also very loud. They love to chew things with their beaks. They love to play and need mental stimulation from their owners.
However, they love to bond with their owners. A great bond is one way to prevent bites but having the correct stimulation and environment will be a major factor, too.
3. Hyacinth Macaws
Much like all the other Macaws we have discussed, the Hyacinth is a bird to be loved but also respected.
A Hyacinth Macaw can break a broom handle in half with just his beak. So, he and other macaws can certainly do damage on a human finger.
The Hyacinth is the largest parrot, and they are very fast and expert hunters. Macaws are known for what they call the “lunge”, which is when they dart forward-looking to bite, but “miss” the target.
Macaws do not usually miss-so this is just a fear tactic.
The key is the same – socialization and training. Your Hyacinth wants and NEEDS your companionship. Your goal is to train him and make him realize that you are able to connect with him and are happy to do so.
4. Bare-Eyed Cockatoo
Cockatoos make fantastic friends and companion pets for bird owners.
Take a look at any number of popular cockatoos on YouTube and you will see plenty of happy cockatoos and their owners, talking and playing with one another.
They are very beautiful and cute in their appearance, and they are good at forming bonds with their owners.
Even though these parrots have amazing personalities, they are still complicated and intricate birds. Bird owners who do not understand their cockatoo may give him up out of frustration.
A cockatoo expresses his dislike for something in an elaborate way. If you do not figure out what is making him agitated, he will bite every now and again as a means of defending himself.
The cockatoo beak can and will destroy a lot of things: wooden toys, papers, and even walnuts or macadamia nuts given as a treat. The skin of a human is no exception.
Blood can be drawn, and the pain is intense. You should always be sure your cockatoo has toys and some shreddable items so he can keep busy and burn off energy in a positive way.
Just look at the video below. A cockatoo bite is no joke!
5. Moluccan Cockatoo
Moluccan Cockatoo are something else. They are experts at bonding with owners, which is a huge gift to bird owners who simply love their pets.
When you meet a Moluccan for the first time, the connection is real. They are so very cute in their appearance, but also majestic and regal.
The way in which a Moluccan raises his head feathers reminds one of a great king that lived long ago, who may have adorned his cap with rare and beautiful bird feathers.
The Moluccan is extremely smart and can be trained as needed. However, this level of intelligence requires plenty of stimulation on the part of the owner.
If you ignore him, for instance, it is not uncommon to hear some screams that lead to temper tantrums (which involve biting). Even worse, the Moluccan may self-harm as a way of expressing frustration.
An ignored Moluccan may attack the owner with bites. It breaks the skin and may lead to bleeding, but you will not lose a finger as a result. The best thing to do is to provide your Moluccan with plenty of attention and playtime.
Train Your Parrot Not to Bite
You can train your parrot to be friendly. Be aware, however, that every parrot is different and will learn at a different rate. You must be patient and ready to invest lots of time into making him feel comfortable.
- You can help your parrot become less aggressive with effort and plenty of patience. Offer treats, do not raise your voice at him, and be sure that you repeat behaviors and praise.
- Bites can and will happen. Stick to set schedule so your parrot knows when you will be training, and you can also disrupt any behavioral issues that seem to be festering. Consistency is important so that you do not forfeit the control and bond that you have with your bird.
- Remember, birds are like humans and they have different moods and feelings. Become body-language smart about your bird to know when he does not feel like interacting. Be wary of puffed feathers, dilated pupils, and open-slightly beaks. These mean you should give him a break and come back in a few moments. Do not force your pet to do anything he does not feel like doing.
Conclusion
The worst parrot bites are from macaws and cockatoos. With proper training and a good understanding of your pet, these bites can be kept to a minimum.
