Don’t Bite The Hand That Feeds You

Hi Smart T. Pants,

Smart T, I am a female Peach-faced Lovebird. My human Mother calls me Princess a lot and I know that I am special and pretty. Even though I am not yet 2 years old, I must say I am pretty smart bird! But I just can’t figure something out. My human parents take really good care of me. They gave me a great cage that is my special, private place, let me fly around to exercise and feed me well. But here is the thing Smart T - sometimes they get upset with me! Like when I shred paper and things, you know, for a nest. Once in a while I will fly to my Mother and land on her shoulder or maybe get on her finger. Then I sort of nibble (well she says I bite) her finger or her shoulder. When I do that this red liquid comes out of her hand or shoulder and she gets really upset. I don’t understand. She is sooo happy when I get on her finger that she sings to me, plays lullabies to me and looks me in the eye and chats. Why does she get upset , even cry, when I bite, I mean, nibble her?

Princess Opie II

Princess Opie II cuddling in her Mother’s scarf

Dear Princess Opie II:

Humans are hard to understand aren’t they? You think you are doing what they want and then all of a sudden they get upset, start yelling at you and you don’t know why. What I do know is when that red stuff starts coming out of them, they are mad because it hurts.

It appears to me that you have some very special parents that treat you well. It is the biting thing that is really getting you into trouble. If I were you, I would just get on her finger and let her spoil you there. Give her the head tilt, blink your adorable eyes and refrain from biting, I mean nibbling, at all. You have to cause a little mischief but you really can’t bite the hand that feeds you.

Smart T. Pants