Why Does My Pigeon Bite Me?
No matter how close I tried to get to my pigeon, it always kept biting me. Getting frustrated, I stopped making attempts overall. But it still bothered me to an extent-why does my pigeon bite me?
As it turns out, it is usually because they feel threatened or scared. This could also result from their pain or hormonal changes over time. Sometimes, this could also mean they do not trust you.
Indeed, just this will not help you figure out why your pigeon bites you. Hence, we will discuss further here alongside other information, such as why they are aggressive, what to do when you get bitten, etc.
Looking for more information about pigeon behavior:
Do Pet Pigeons Bite?
Pigeons are usually friendly birds that don’t bite or act aggressively. A pet pigeon may bite, just like any other animal, if it feels threatened or angry. This could happen if the pigeon is in pain, scared, or thinks someone is invading its territory.
They are easily scared, so you should be gentle and careful with them. They may flap their wings or peck when startled by sudden movements or loud noises. If a pet pigeon bites you, it’s usually not a big deal, and you can treat it with first aid.
Building trust with your pet pigeon is essential if you don’t want it to bite. Every day, hang out with your pigeon, give it treats, and talk to it in a calm, soothing voice. Don’t be rough with the bird or make sudden moves that might scare it.
In general, pigeons as pets are friendly birds that make great friends. If you care for and pay attention to your pet pigeon, it is not likely to bite or act aggressively.
See our in-depth “Pigeon Behavior” article to learn what these urban birds eat. We cover their dietary habits and nutrition.
Why is My Pigeon Biting?
If your pet pigeon bites, it could be because of many different things. It may bite if a pigeon feels threatened, scared, or in pain. Pigeons may also bite if they aren’t used to being handled or feel like their territory is being invaded.
Changes in hormones are another thing that could cause pigeons to bite. During the breeding season, male pigeons may become more territorial and aggressive, which can lead to biting. Female pigeons may guard their nests more and bite if they think their eggs or young are in danger.
Building trust with your pet pigeon is essential if you don’t want it to bite. Every day, hang out with your pigeon, give it treats, and talk to it in a calm, soothing voice. Don’t be rough with the bird or make sudden moves that might scare it.
If you don’t know why your pigeon is biting, ask a vet or an expert on bird behavior for help.
What Could Be Causing My Pigeon to Bite Me?
Before you assume that your pet pigeon hates you, there could be some other causes that you should consider that makes them bite you. Here, we will discuss those.
01. Anxiety: When your pigeon is scared or worried, it might bite. This could be because they are in a new place, their routine has changed, or they are around new people or animals.
02. Hormonal Changes: Male pigeons may become more territorial and aggressive during the breeding season, while female pigeons may become more protective of their nests.
03. Discomfort/Pain: If your pigeon is hurting or uncomfortable, it might bite if you touch it in a certain way.
04. Lack Of Socialization: If you didn’t socialize your pigeon well when it was young, it might not be used to being held or touched by people.
05. Lack Of Trust: If your pigeon doesn’t trust you, it might feel scared when you’re around and bite you.
Why Is My Pigeon Aggressive?
Many things can make pet pigeons act aggressively. One possible cause is that pigeons are territorial birds and may act aggressively if they think their territory is threatened. Pigeons can also act aggressively out of fear or anxiety, especially when they are in new places or meet new people or animals.
During the breeding season, pigeons’ hormones change, which can make them more aggressive. Pigeons that didn’t get enough socialization when they were young may also be mean to people because they aren’t used to being handled or touched.
Pain or discomfort is another thing that could make a pet pigeon act mean. When you touch or handle a pigeon in a certain way, it may lash out if it is in pain or feels uncomfortable.
To stop pet pigeons from acting aggressively, it is essential to find out why they act that way and take the proper steps. This could mean giving the pigeon a safe place to live, getting it used to people, and, if necessary, getting it medical care.
What Should I Do If My Pigeon Bites Me?
If your pigeon bites you, wash the wound well with soap and water as soon as possible. Even if the injury is small, it must be cleaned to avoid getting sick. If the wound is deep or bleeding, you should immediately see a doctor.
It is also important to watch how your pigeon acts to figure out why it bit you. If the pigeon bit because it was scared or upset, don’t touch it until it has calmed down. If your pigeon pecked you because it was hurt or uncomfortable, take it to a vet to be checked out.
To keep your pigeon from biting in the future, you should get to know it well and approach it calmly and gently. Don’t move quickly or make loud noises that might scare the pigeon.
How Can I Stop My Pigeon from Biting Me?
No one wants to get bitten by their pet pigeon; that is why, here we will provide some tips you can follow to stop that from happening.
01. Understand the Pigeon’s Behavior
Look at how your pigeon acts and try to figure out why it is biting. It could be because of fear, a need for space, a hormone change, or pain or discomfort.
02. Do Not Trigger Your Pet
Once you know why your pigeon bites, you can avoid doing or being in situations that make it do it. For example, if your pigeon is very territorial, you shouldn’t go near where it nests.
03. Socialize with the Pigeon
Socializing your pigeon well will make it less likely to bite. Spend time with your pigeon and be gentle, but don’t do anything that might scare or startle it.
04. Use Positive Reinforcement
When your pigeon acts well and doesn’t bite you, praise it, give it treats, or do something else to make it feel good. This can encourage good behavior and make people less likely to bite.
05. Seek Professional Help
If your pigeon keeps biting, you should talk to a vet or a bird behavior expert. They can tell you how to deal with the aggressive behavior and stop it from happening again.
Is There Any Way to Make My Pigeon Less Aggressive?
Yes, you can do a few things to make your pigeon less mean. Pigeons can be aggressive for several reasons, including their genes, hormonal changes, environmental stressors, and not spending enough time with other pigeons.
One way to make pigeons less aggressive is to give them more space When pigeons are kept in small cages or tight spaces, they are more likely to get mean. Accessing fresh air and sunlight can also help them feel less stressed and less likely to act out.
Another thing you can do is give your pigeon lots of opportunities to meet new people and get praise. Spending time with your pigeon, giving it treats, and rewards for good behavior can help it trust you and stop being aggressive.
It also helps to find and eliminate any possible stressors in your pigeon’s environment, like loud noises or other animals that might make your pigeon feel scared.
If your pigeon’s aggression continues, you may need to talk to a vet or animal behaviorist to develop a more thorough plan to change its behavior.
What to do if a Pigeon Bites You?
Taking a pigeon’s bite seriously and taking preventive actions right away is essential. We will discuss what you can do when a pigeon bites you.
Clean the Wound: Wash the wound for at least 5 minutes with soap and warm water to remove any dirt, dust, or bacteria that may have gotten in. You can also use something like hydrogen peroxide or iodine antiseptics to clean the injury.
Apply Pressure: If the wound is bleeding, you can stop it by putting pressure on it with a clean cloth or bandage.
Apply a Bandage: Once the wound is clean and dry, put a sterile bandage over it to avoid getting hurt or sick.
Monitor For Signs of Infection: Keep an eye on the wound for the next few days to see if it gets red, swollen, warm, or starts to leak. If you have any of these signs, you should immediately see a doctor.
Get a Tetanus Shot: If you haven’t gotten a tetanus shot in the last 10 years, you should get one to avoid getting tetanus.
Seek Medical Attention: If the wound is deep, big, or doesn’t stop bleeding, or if you notice signs of infection, you should see a doctor.
How Do I Know If My Pigeon Trusts Me?
Does your pigeon trust you? Well, here are some cues that you could look for.
01. Comfortable Body Language
A pigeon that trusts you will have smooth feathers and hold its wings slightly away from its body. The pigeon may also make soft coos or other sounds of happiness.
02. Willingness to Be Held Or Touched
If a pigeon trusts you, it will let you hold or touch it without getting upset or trying to escape.
03. Accepting Food from Your Hand
You can build trust with your pigeon by giving it treats or food from your hand. If your pigeon is willing to eat out of your hand, it feels safe and secures around you.
04. Seeking Your Company
If your pigeon follows you around or looks for you, it trusts and likes to be with you.
05. Displaying Affection
Some pigeons may show affection by nuzzling or preening you. This can be a sign of trust and comfort.
Final Words
Even now, when my pigeon bites me at times, I wonder – why does my pigeon bite me? And while I cannot figure it out right away, spending time with it helps. So I would advise you to do the same.
In case it does not work out, you can take the help of a professional.
Article Reference:
- https://www.thesprucepets.com/reduce-aggression-in-pet-birds-390308
Image Credits:
- https://www.canva.com/photos
- https://www.youtube.com
